CA1278994C - Single pin cargo latch for seat assemblies - Google Patents
Single pin cargo latch for seat assembliesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1278994C CA1278994C CA000539488A CA539488A CA1278994C CA 1278994 C CA1278994 C CA 1278994C CA 000539488 A CA000539488 A CA 000539488A CA 539488 A CA539488 A CA 539488A CA 1278994 C CA1278994 C CA 1278994C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- arc
- locking arm
- movement
- latching device
- 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
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/32—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use
- B60N2/36—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use into a loading platform
- B60N2/366—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use into a loading platform characterised by the locking device
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT This invention provides an improved latching device for use in a vehicle seat assembly. The device is simple to operate and inexpensive to manufacture and is adapted to hold seat members foldable relative to one another in either of a passenger carrying position and a cargo carrying position. The latching device comprises a latch pin rigidly mounted on one of the seat members and a locking arm rotatably mounted on the other seat member. The locking arm has a detent portion adjacent one end, spaced from the point of rotational mounting, which portion is adapted to lockingly engage the latch pin at either of the selected operative positions of the back-rest member. Rotational control means for rotating the locking arm into and out of locking engagement are also provided.
Description
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This invention relates to a latching device for use with foldable vehicle seat assemblies, more particularly, to seat assemblies adapted to be converted from a passenger carrying configuration to a cargo carrying configuration and vice versa.
Automotive seat assemblies having a back-rest member foldable over a seat-cushion member into an operative cargo carrying position from an upright operative passenger carrying position are becoming more prevalent and conveniently provide the user with the option of using such seat assemblies to carry a passenger or to carry cargo, without the necessity of removing the seat assemblies from the vehicle.
In the usual unfolded operative passenger carrying position, the back-rest member is upright relative to the seat-cushion member and has its front surface, against which a seat occupant rests his back, facing the front of the vehicle, and its rear surface, opposite to the front surface, facing the rear of the vehicle. To assume a folded operative cargo carrying position, the back-rest member is forwardly pivoted toward the seat-cushion member such that its front surface rests on the seat-cushion member and its rear surface is uppermost and generally horizontal. In this configuration, the rear surface of the back-rest member may be used as a platform for supporting cargo.
There is renewed interest in such seat assemblies, particularly in association with so called "mini-vans", and a number of latching devices have been developed to secure the seat members in either operative position so as to provide for - , -~ .
, ~ ~
78~394 convenience of use and so as to ensure the safety of vehicle passengers. However, such known latching devices are of complex design, and cumbersome to operate. Moveover, they consist of a large multiplicity of parts, such that they are difficult to S manufacture and assemble which results in unnecessary cost.
An object of this invention is to provide an improved latching device for a foldable seat assembly of the type described above which is safe, simple to operate and inexpensive to manufacture, which may be aesthetically incorporated into the seat assembly such that interference and hazardous exposure of any of the latching elements are minimized, which reduces irritating noise due to rattling of the latch components and the back-rest member, and which is preferably adapted to minimize cushion crush from a back-rest member under load in the cargo-carrying position.
In accordance with one aspect oE the invention, there is provided a latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another between a folded and an unfolded operative position, which device comprises a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member and a locking arm rotatably mounted on the second seat member. The locking arm has a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to 2S lockingly engage the latch pin and hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions. Rotational control means are also provided for selectively rotating said locking arm into and out of said locking engagement.
.: . ." , 8C3~4 These and other features of the invention will be more fully understood with reference to a preferred embodiment of a latching device according to the invention described below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. l is a schematic isometric projection of a foldable vehicle seat assembly to which the invention has been adapted;
Fig. 2 is a part-sectional view of the latch device with the back-rest member indicated in ghost outline and illustrating the latch configuration when the seat assembly is in a passenger carrying position;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the latch configuration when the seat assembly is in a cargo carrying position; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the latch device of Fig. 3 taken along line 4 - 4 of Fig.3.
Referring firstly to Fig. l, a foldable vehicle seat assembly, generally indicated by numeral 20, includes a seat-cushion member 22 and a back-rest member 24. The seat assembly 20 is illustrated with the back-rest member 24 in an unfolded, operative passenger carrying position, that is, with the back-rest member 24 upright relative to the seat-cushion member 22. The seat-cushion member 22 is supported on a base 26 ~5 which is anchored to the vehicle floor (not shown) and which may house, for example, a legroom adjustment mechanism (not shown).
8~94 A latch assembly according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1 encircled by dotted line 35. While the latch assembly is only illustrated on one side 30 of the vehicle seat assembly 20, it will be understood that the vehicle seat assembly 20 may have a generally similar counterpart latch assembly attached to the opposite other side of the seat assembly 20, which counterpart may be connected for simultaneous operation with the latch assembly shown by way of a driven slave connecting rod 37, illustrated in ghost outline in Fig. 4.
It should be appreciated that the various common structural frame members of the seat-cushion member 22 and the back-rest member 24 have been omitted for simplicity from several of the the drawings. The form and placement of these is well-known in the art as is the means of their affixation to the illustrated latch assembly. Where, in this specification, it is stated that a member is affixed or mounted on the seat-cushion member 22 or the back-rest member 24, this expressly includes affixation or mounting on or to a respective frame member of the said seat-cushion 22 or back-rest 24 member.
The back-rest member 24 is pivotably foldable about a pivot pin 28 relative to the seat-cushion member 22 into a forwardly folded operative cargo carrying position, illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the operatively rear outer surface 29 of the back-rest member 24 is positioned uppermost in generally horizontal orientation and its operatively front inner surface 31 is brought toward the operatively upper and inner surface 33 of the seat-cushion member 22.
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In this specification, it will be understood that "folded seat members" refers to seat members which have been pivoted relative to one another such that their inner surfaces are brought together and "unfolded seat members" refers to seat members which have been pivoted relative to one another such that their inner surfaces are moved further apart.
Referring now to Figs. 2 and 4 it will be seen that the pivot pin 28 is in the form of a hardened steel rivet. The pivot pin 28 passes through a cover plate 50, which is affixed to the seat-cushion member 22, and through a hinge bracket 32, which is attached to the back-rest member 24. The pivot pin 28 is positioned adjacent the operatively front surface 31 of the back-rest member 24 and in such configuration provides for said pivotal folding of the back-rest member 24. A stop detente 63, formed from an outwardly folded tab of the hinge bracket 32, is positioned on a trailing edge of the bracket 32 so as to engage a rearward edge of the cover plate 50 upon rearward pivotal movement of the back-rest member 24, thereby to arrest and hold the back-rest member 24 in the operative passenger carrying position.
In Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the hinge bracket 32 has an outwardly extending latch pin 34 rigidly mounted on it. The latch pin 34 lies beneath the pivot pin 28 (see Fig. 2) when the back-rest member 24 is in the unfolded ; 25 operative passenger carrying position and behind the pivot pin 28 in the folded operative cargo carrying position (see Fig.
This invention relates to a latching device for use with foldable vehicle seat assemblies, more particularly, to seat assemblies adapted to be converted from a passenger carrying configuration to a cargo carrying configuration and vice versa.
Automotive seat assemblies having a back-rest member foldable over a seat-cushion member into an operative cargo carrying position from an upright operative passenger carrying position are becoming more prevalent and conveniently provide the user with the option of using such seat assemblies to carry a passenger or to carry cargo, without the necessity of removing the seat assemblies from the vehicle.
In the usual unfolded operative passenger carrying position, the back-rest member is upright relative to the seat-cushion member and has its front surface, against which a seat occupant rests his back, facing the front of the vehicle, and its rear surface, opposite to the front surface, facing the rear of the vehicle. To assume a folded operative cargo carrying position, the back-rest member is forwardly pivoted toward the seat-cushion member such that its front surface rests on the seat-cushion member and its rear surface is uppermost and generally horizontal. In this configuration, the rear surface of the back-rest member may be used as a platform for supporting cargo.
There is renewed interest in such seat assemblies, particularly in association with so called "mini-vans", and a number of latching devices have been developed to secure the seat members in either operative position so as to provide for - , -~ .
, ~ ~
78~394 convenience of use and so as to ensure the safety of vehicle passengers. However, such known latching devices are of complex design, and cumbersome to operate. Moveover, they consist of a large multiplicity of parts, such that they are difficult to S manufacture and assemble which results in unnecessary cost.
An object of this invention is to provide an improved latching device for a foldable seat assembly of the type described above which is safe, simple to operate and inexpensive to manufacture, which may be aesthetically incorporated into the seat assembly such that interference and hazardous exposure of any of the latching elements are minimized, which reduces irritating noise due to rattling of the latch components and the back-rest member, and which is preferably adapted to minimize cushion crush from a back-rest member under load in the cargo-carrying position.
In accordance with one aspect oE the invention, there is provided a latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another between a folded and an unfolded operative position, which device comprises a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member and a locking arm rotatably mounted on the second seat member. The locking arm has a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to 2S lockingly engage the latch pin and hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions. Rotational control means are also provided for selectively rotating said locking arm into and out of said locking engagement.
.: . ." , 8C3~4 These and other features of the invention will be more fully understood with reference to a preferred embodiment of a latching device according to the invention described below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. l is a schematic isometric projection of a foldable vehicle seat assembly to which the invention has been adapted;
Fig. 2 is a part-sectional view of the latch device with the back-rest member indicated in ghost outline and illustrating the latch configuration when the seat assembly is in a passenger carrying position;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the latch configuration when the seat assembly is in a cargo carrying position; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the latch device of Fig. 3 taken along line 4 - 4 of Fig.3.
Referring firstly to Fig. l, a foldable vehicle seat assembly, generally indicated by numeral 20, includes a seat-cushion member 22 and a back-rest member 24. The seat assembly 20 is illustrated with the back-rest member 24 in an unfolded, operative passenger carrying position, that is, with the back-rest member 24 upright relative to the seat-cushion member 22. The seat-cushion member 22 is supported on a base 26 ~5 which is anchored to the vehicle floor (not shown) and which may house, for example, a legroom adjustment mechanism (not shown).
8~94 A latch assembly according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1 encircled by dotted line 35. While the latch assembly is only illustrated on one side 30 of the vehicle seat assembly 20, it will be understood that the vehicle seat assembly 20 may have a generally similar counterpart latch assembly attached to the opposite other side of the seat assembly 20, which counterpart may be connected for simultaneous operation with the latch assembly shown by way of a driven slave connecting rod 37, illustrated in ghost outline in Fig. 4.
It should be appreciated that the various common structural frame members of the seat-cushion member 22 and the back-rest member 24 have been omitted for simplicity from several of the the drawings. The form and placement of these is well-known in the art as is the means of their affixation to the illustrated latch assembly. Where, in this specification, it is stated that a member is affixed or mounted on the seat-cushion member 22 or the back-rest member 24, this expressly includes affixation or mounting on or to a respective frame member of the said seat-cushion 22 or back-rest 24 member.
The back-rest member 24 is pivotably foldable about a pivot pin 28 relative to the seat-cushion member 22 into a forwardly folded operative cargo carrying position, illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the operatively rear outer surface 29 of the back-rest member 24 is positioned uppermost in generally horizontal orientation and its operatively front inner surface 31 is brought toward the operatively upper and inner surface 33 of the seat-cushion member 22.
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In this specification, it will be understood that "folded seat members" refers to seat members which have been pivoted relative to one another such that their inner surfaces are brought together and "unfolded seat members" refers to seat members which have been pivoted relative to one another such that their inner surfaces are moved further apart.
Referring now to Figs. 2 and 4 it will be seen that the pivot pin 28 is in the form of a hardened steel rivet. The pivot pin 28 passes through a cover plate 50, which is affixed to the seat-cushion member 22, and through a hinge bracket 32, which is attached to the back-rest member 24. The pivot pin 28 is positioned adjacent the operatively front surface 31 of the back-rest member 24 and in such configuration provides for said pivotal folding of the back-rest member 24. A stop detente 63, formed from an outwardly folded tab of the hinge bracket 32, is positioned on a trailing edge of the bracket 32 so as to engage a rearward edge of the cover plate 50 upon rearward pivotal movement of the back-rest member 24, thereby to arrest and hold the back-rest member 24 in the operative passenger carrying position.
In Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the hinge bracket 32 has an outwardly extending latch pin 34 rigidly mounted on it. The latch pin 34 lies beneath the pivot pin 28 (see Fig. 2) when the back-rest member 24 is in the unfolded ; 25 operative passenger carrying position and behind the pivot pin 28 in the folded operative cargo carrying position (see Fig.
3). The latch pin 34 thus defines a first arc of movement when ;~ the back-rest member 24 is pivotally folded about the pivot pin ~
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78~394 28 between the unfolded operative passenger carrying position and the folded operative cargo carrying position.
~ he seat-cushion member 22 (not shown in Figs 2 and 3) carries a locking arm 36 rotatably mounted adjacent one end about a pivot pin 38 affixed to the cover plate 50. ~ detent portion 40, which defines a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm 36, is positioned adjacent the other end of the locking arm 36 in spaced relation from pivot pin 38 and is adapted to lockingly engage the latch pin 34 when the back-rest member 24 is in the unfolded operative passenger carrying position, (see Fig. 2) and in the folded operative cargo carrying position (see Fig. 3), so as to hold the seat members in the respective selected one of said two operative positions.
In the unfolded operative passenger carrying position the locking arm 36 holds the back-rest member 24 against forward folding rotational movements created by, for example, sudden deceleration of the vehicle (not shown). In the folded operative cargo carrying position the locking arm 36 holds the back-rest member 24 against movement towards the upright operative position which movement could be caused by, for example, overly rearward placement of cargo on the surface 29 on vibration brought about by vehicular motion.
It will be understood that the detent portion 40 and latch pin 34 are lockingly engageable in the two operative positions only, at which positions the first and second arcs intersect, and that the relative spacing of the latch pin 34, the pivot pin 28 and hinge pin 38 is selected accordingly.
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It will also be understood that the operatively upperand inner surface 33 of the seat-cushion member 22 preferably slopes downwardly from the leading edge towards the trailing edge which ls positioned adjacent to the back-rest member 24 in the seat assembly 20 such that the knees of a passenger are comfortably supported in a position in which they are slightly elevated relative to the buttocks. In order to minimize cushion crush when the seat assembly 20 is used in the cargo carrying operative position, it is desirable that only the leading edge of the seat-cushion member 22 is abutted by the back-rest member 24. Preferably, the spacing of the pivot pin 28 above the seat-cushion member 22 assembly 20 is selected to achieve this purpose.
A rotational control means, generally indicated by numeral 41, is provided for selectively rotating the locking arm 36 into and of locking engagement with the latch pin 34. The rotational control means 41 includes a driven gear in the form of a toothed segment 42 operationally mounted on the locking arm 36 and centered about pivot pin 38. A correspondingly toothed drive gear 44 is positioned for meshing engagement with the segment 42 and is affixed to an axle 46 for rotation therewith, and is rotatable by means of an adjustment knob 48, as shown in Fig. 1, and as indicated in ghost outline in Figs. 2 to 4.
The radius of curvature of the drive gear 44 is large relative to the radius of curvature of the toothed segment 42 of the locking arm 36 and thus provides a gearing advantage such that only a small rotation of the knob 48 is required to move the detent portion 40 through said second arc of movement, - ~ , 1~789'34 The cover plate 50 covers a portion of the latching device including the latch pin 34, locking arm 36, drive gear 44, pivot pin 28 and pivot pin 38 and is affixed to a frame member 53 of the seat-cushion member 22 by mounting bolts 52, as shown in Fig. 4. It is understood that axle 46 protrudes through the cover plate 50 to be drivingly engaged by the adjustment knob 48, which knob is user activated.
In use, the back-rest member 24 may be released from the unfolded operative passenger carrying position (Fig. 2) for movement to the folded operative cargo carrying position (Fig.
3) by turning the knob 48 so as to move the locking arrn 36 through at least part of said second arc of movement and out of locking engagement with the latch pin 34.
Rotation of the knob 48 drives the drive gear 44 which in turn drives the toothed segment 42 of the locking arm 36 such that locking arm 36 rotates about hinge pin 38. The knob 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as seen in Figs. 2 & 3) such that the locking arm 36 is raised from a generally horizontal position in which the detent portion 40 engages the latch pin 34 in the unfolded operative passenger carrying position of the back-rest member 24 (Fig.2) and is brought towards the operatively rear surface 29 of the back-rest member 24, as indicated by arrow 54, to a generally vertical neutral position indicated in ghost outline in Fig. 3. This releases detent portion 40 from latch pin 34 and liberates a path for the latch pin 34 to move through said first arc of movement as the back-rest member 24 is folded by the user into the folded ; operative cargo carrying position (Fig.3).
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~.~78~ 34 The back-rest member 24 may then be forwardly folded by the user about pivot pin 28 over the seat-cushion member 22 and assume said cargo carrying position (Fig. 3).
To secure the back-rest member 24 in the folded operative cargo carrying position, the knob 48 is turned in the opposite direction (i.e. counter-clockwise as seen in Figs. 2 &
3) towards the front of the seat assembly 20 until the detent portion 40 engages latch pin 34.
The un~olded operative passenger carrying position may be re-attained by performing the above-described steps in reverse order.
It will be understood that numerous variations as will occur to those skilled in the art may be made to the above described embodiment of the invention without departing from the claimed scope of the invention. Such variations will include providing the latch pin on the seat-cushion member and the locking arm on the back-rest member. It will also be understood that the rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm may vary considerably; that a latching device may be provided on both sides of the seat assembly; and that the seat assembly may be removable from the vehicle floor.
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78~394 28 between the unfolded operative passenger carrying position and the folded operative cargo carrying position.
~ he seat-cushion member 22 (not shown in Figs 2 and 3) carries a locking arm 36 rotatably mounted adjacent one end about a pivot pin 38 affixed to the cover plate 50. ~ detent portion 40, which defines a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm 36, is positioned adjacent the other end of the locking arm 36 in spaced relation from pivot pin 38 and is adapted to lockingly engage the latch pin 34 when the back-rest member 24 is in the unfolded operative passenger carrying position, (see Fig. 2) and in the folded operative cargo carrying position (see Fig. 3), so as to hold the seat members in the respective selected one of said two operative positions.
In the unfolded operative passenger carrying position the locking arm 36 holds the back-rest member 24 against forward folding rotational movements created by, for example, sudden deceleration of the vehicle (not shown). In the folded operative cargo carrying position the locking arm 36 holds the back-rest member 24 against movement towards the upright operative position which movement could be caused by, for example, overly rearward placement of cargo on the surface 29 on vibration brought about by vehicular motion.
It will be understood that the detent portion 40 and latch pin 34 are lockingly engageable in the two operative positions only, at which positions the first and second arcs intersect, and that the relative spacing of the latch pin 34, the pivot pin 28 and hinge pin 38 is selected accordingly.
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~ ~ 7~ 9~
It will also be understood that the operatively upperand inner surface 33 of the seat-cushion member 22 preferably slopes downwardly from the leading edge towards the trailing edge which ls positioned adjacent to the back-rest member 24 in the seat assembly 20 such that the knees of a passenger are comfortably supported in a position in which they are slightly elevated relative to the buttocks. In order to minimize cushion crush when the seat assembly 20 is used in the cargo carrying operative position, it is desirable that only the leading edge of the seat-cushion member 22 is abutted by the back-rest member 24. Preferably, the spacing of the pivot pin 28 above the seat-cushion member 22 assembly 20 is selected to achieve this purpose.
A rotational control means, generally indicated by numeral 41, is provided for selectively rotating the locking arm 36 into and of locking engagement with the latch pin 34. The rotational control means 41 includes a driven gear in the form of a toothed segment 42 operationally mounted on the locking arm 36 and centered about pivot pin 38. A correspondingly toothed drive gear 44 is positioned for meshing engagement with the segment 42 and is affixed to an axle 46 for rotation therewith, and is rotatable by means of an adjustment knob 48, as shown in Fig. 1, and as indicated in ghost outline in Figs. 2 to 4.
The radius of curvature of the drive gear 44 is large relative to the radius of curvature of the toothed segment 42 of the locking arm 36 and thus provides a gearing advantage such that only a small rotation of the knob 48 is required to move the detent portion 40 through said second arc of movement, - ~ , 1~789'34 The cover plate 50 covers a portion of the latching device including the latch pin 34, locking arm 36, drive gear 44, pivot pin 28 and pivot pin 38 and is affixed to a frame member 53 of the seat-cushion member 22 by mounting bolts 52, as shown in Fig. 4. It is understood that axle 46 protrudes through the cover plate 50 to be drivingly engaged by the adjustment knob 48, which knob is user activated.
In use, the back-rest member 24 may be released from the unfolded operative passenger carrying position (Fig. 2) for movement to the folded operative cargo carrying position (Fig.
3) by turning the knob 48 so as to move the locking arrn 36 through at least part of said second arc of movement and out of locking engagement with the latch pin 34.
Rotation of the knob 48 drives the drive gear 44 which in turn drives the toothed segment 42 of the locking arm 36 such that locking arm 36 rotates about hinge pin 38. The knob 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as seen in Figs. 2 & 3) such that the locking arm 36 is raised from a generally horizontal position in which the detent portion 40 engages the latch pin 34 in the unfolded operative passenger carrying position of the back-rest member 24 (Fig.2) and is brought towards the operatively rear surface 29 of the back-rest member 24, as indicated by arrow 54, to a generally vertical neutral position indicated in ghost outline in Fig. 3. This releases detent portion 40 from latch pin 34 and liberates a path for the latch pin 34 to move through said first arc of movement as the back-rest member 24 is folded by the user into the folded ; operative cargo carrying position (Fig.3).
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~.~78~ 34 The back-rest member 24 may then be forwardly folded by the user about pivot pin 28 over the seat-cushion member 22 and assume said cargo carrying position (Fig. 3).
To secure the back-rest member 24 in the folded operative cargo carrying position, the knob 48 is turned in the opposite direction (i.e. counter-clockwise as seen in Figs. 2 &
3) towards the front of the seat assembly 20 until the detent portion 40 engages latch pin 34.
The un~olded operative passenger carrying position may be re-attained by performing the above-described steps in reverse order.
It will be understood that numerous variations as will occur to those skilled in the art may be made to the above described embodiment of the invention without departing from the claimed scope of the invention. Such variations will include providing the latch pin on the seat-cushion member and the locking arm on the back-rest member. It will also be understood that the rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm may vary considerably; that a latching device may be provided on both sides of the seat assembly; and that the seat assembly may be removable from the vehicle floor.
Claims (10)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotably foldable relative to one another between a folded and an unfolded operative position, said device comprising:
a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member to define a first arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member a locking arm rotatably mounted on the second seat member and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to define a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm, which second arc of movement intersects said first arc of movement at said folded and said unfolded operative positions such that the detent portion lockingly engages the latch pin so as to hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions; and rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement.
a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member to define a first arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member a locking arm rotatably mounted on the second seat member and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to define a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm, which second arc of movement intersects said first arc of movement at said folded and said unfolded operative positions such that the detent portion lockingly engages the latch pin so as to hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions; and rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement.
2. A latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a back-rest member pivotably foldable relative to a seat-cushion member between a folded and an unfolded operative position, said device comprising:
a latch pin rigidly mounted on the back-rest member to define a first arc of movement upon said pivotal folding;
a locking arm rotatably mounted on the seat-cushion member and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to define a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm, which second arc of movement intersects said first arc of movement at said folded and said unfolded operative positions such that the detent portion lockingly engages the latch pin so as to hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions; and rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement.
a latch pin rigidly mounted on the back-rest member to define a first arc of movement upon said pivotal folding;
a locking arm rotatably mounted on the seat-cushion member and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to define a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm, which second arc of movement intersects said first arc of movement at said folded and said unfolded operative positions such that the detent portion lockingly engages the latch pin so as to hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions; and rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement.
3. A latching device according to Claim 2 wherein the rotational control means comprises:
an adjustment knob;
a drive gear; and a driven gear operationally mounted on the locking arm, the adjustment knob being connected to the drive gear for driving rotation therewith, the driven gear being positioned for meshing engagement with the drive gear, such that rotation of the adjustment knob causes the locking arm to rotate.
an adjustment knob;
a drive gear; and a driven gear operationally mounted on the locking arm, the adjustment knob being connected to the drive gear for driving rotation therewith, the driven gear being positioned for meshing engagement with the drive gear, such that rotation of the adjustment knob causes the locking arm to rotate.
4. A latching device according to Claim 2 wherein the latch pin is mounted on the back-rest member by means of a hinge bracket supporting a pivot pin about which the seat members are pivotally foldable relative to one another.
5. A latching device according to Claim 4 having a cover plate affixed to the seat-cushion member so as to cover a portion of the latching device.
6. A latching device according to Claim 5 in which the hinge bracket and cover plate have co-operating flanges adapted to resist rearward folding of the back-rest member beyond the unfolded operative position.
7. In a vehicle for carrying a passenger or a cargo and having a seat assembly including a first and a second seat member pivotably foldable relative to one another between a folded and an unfolded operative position and a latching device for releasably holding said seat members in said positions, the latching device comprising:
a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member to define a first arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member;
a locking arm rotatably mounted on the second seat member and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to define a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm, which second arc of movement intersects said first arc of movement at said folded and said unfolded operative positions such that the detent portion lockingly engages the latch pin so as to hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions; and rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement,
a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member to define a first arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member;
a locking arm rotatably mounted on the second seat member and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to define a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm, which second arc of movement intersects said first arc of movement at said folded and said unfolded operative positions such that the detent portion lockingly engages the latch pin so as to hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions; and rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement,
8. The latching device according to Claim 7 wherein the first seat member is a back-rest and the second seat member is a seat-cushion.
9. A motorized vehicle having a seat assembly including a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another between a folded and an unfolded operative position, and a latching device for releasably holding said seat members in said positions, wherein the latching device comprises-a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member to define a first arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member;
a locking arm rotatably mounted on the second seat member and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to define a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm, which second arc of movement intersects said first arc of movement at said folded and said unfolded operative positions such that the detent portion lockingly engages the latch pin so as to hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions; and rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement.
a locking arm rotatably mounted on the second seat member and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational mounting so as to define a second arc of movement upon rotation of the locking arm, which second arc of movement intersects said first arc of movement at said folded and said unfolded operative positions such that the detent portion lockingly engages the latch pin so as to hold the seat members in a selected one of said operative positions; and rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement.
10. The latching device according to claim 9 wherein the first seat member is a back-rest and the second seat member is a seat-cushion.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539488A CA1278994C (en) | 1987-06-11 | 1987-06-11 | Single pin cargo latch for seat assemblies |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539488A CA1278994C (en) | 1987-06-11 | 1987-06-11 | Single pin cargo latch for seat assemblies |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1278994C true CA1278994C (en) | 1991-01-15 |
Family
ID=4135873
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539488A Expired CA1278994C (en) | 1987-06-11 | 1987-06-11 | Single pin cargo latch for seat assemblies |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1278994C (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-06-11 CA CA000539488A patent/CA1278994C/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20080115 |