CA2234563A1 - Adjustable seat mechanism - Google Patents
Adjustable seat mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2234563A1 CA2234563A1 CA 2234563 CA2234563A CA2234563A1 CA 2234563 A1 CA2234563 A1 CA 2234563A1 CA 2234563 CA2234563 CA 2234563 CA 2234563 A CA2234563 A CA 2234563A CA 2234563 A1 CA2234563 A1 CA 2234563A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- track
- aft
- fore
- deck
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Abstract
A fore-and-aft adjustable seat mechanism is provided for small vehicles, such as lawn and garden tractors. The mechanism includes a single slide which is secured to the vehicle deck and a track which is formed in a composite seat base. A plurality of incrementally fore and aft spaced stops are formed in the slide for releasable engagement with a spring steel locking lever carried by the seat base. The locking lever includes a handle which projects from beneath the seat to allow the operator to adjust the seat while seated.
Description
CA 02234~63 1998-0~-08 ADJUSTABLE SEAT MECHANISM
Field of fhe Invention:
The present invention relates to operator seats which are fore-and-aft adjustable and more specifically, to an adjustable track and slide mechanism which allows the operator to change the seat position while sitting on it.
Descri"tion of the Related Art:
On smaller vehicles, such as lawn and garden tractors, it is common to mount theoperator seat for fore-and-aft adjustment. These seats, which are generally supported by 10 the fender dec:k of the vehicle, have typically been mounted on a pair of spaced-apart tracks.
On sorne vehicles, the tracks are provided by forming elongated slots in the fender deck or securing brackets to the deck and utilizing bolts which project up through the slots in the deck or br;acket and into separate brackets carried on the seat or seat base. Fore-and-aft adjustmenl: is then accomplished through sliding the seat or base along the slots in the 15 deck or brackets. The bolts are often fitted with nuts, some of which are adapted to be adjusted by hand to eliminate the need for special tools.
These slide mechanisms generally require that an operator dismount the seat to adjust it, then remount to determine if it is positioned correctly. This process must often be repeated to properly position the seat.
Othem3djustment mechanisms are provided with a pair of spaced-apart slides, eachslide having two members. One slide member is typically secured to the deck with the other member being secured to the seat or base. A separate spring loaded locking mechanism is then provided on one of the pair of slides to permit adjustment and locking of the fore-and-aft position of the seat on the deck.
Further, the metal slides, bearings and brackets utilized with these adjustment mechanisms c:an rust and/or become contaminated with dirt or other foreign materials causing them to become difficult to adjust, sometimes locking or jamming.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a seat mechanism which could be adjusted by the operator without requiring him to dismount the vehicle, as well as one which could be 30 easily and quickly adjusted by the operator to the exact position comfortable for him.
Additionally, it would be desirable to provide adjustment mechanism parts which would resist deterioration, r usting and/or fouling by contamination. It would also be desirable to provide an adjustment mechanism having fewer parts, therefore being less expensive to manufacture, assemble and repair.
CA 02234~63 1998-0~-08 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Towards these ends, there is provided a seat adjustment mechanism which utilizes a single metal track secured to the fender deck structure, with that track being received in a slide formed in a composite seat base. The metal track has incremental stops formed along its length which can be engaged by a locking lever carried on the seat. The single metal track utilizes no metal bearings, nuts or bolts nor does it require any tools for adjustment.
The locking lever is comprised of spring steel and includes a handle which projects forwardly from beneath the seat and between the operator's legs for quick, simple and easy 10 locking and unlocking while the operator occupies the seat. The lever can be quickly and easily engagecl and disengaged to allow the operator to adjust the seat to its most comfortable fore-and-aft position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a lawn and garden vehicle upon which thepresent invention could be used.
Figure 2 is an enlarged and elevated perspective view of the seat base, slide, track and locking lever as mounted on the fender deck.
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the base, slide, track and locking lever, illustrating the locking lever in its secured position in solid and in its unlocked position in phantom.
Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic view illustrating the seat base, slide, track and fender deck.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Looking first to Figure 1, there is illustrated a lawn and garden tractor 10 including an operator's seat 12. The seat 12 is mounted on a composite base 14, which in turn is carried 30 on an adjustable seat mechanism which extends between the seat base 14 and the fender deck 1 6.
Looking also to Figs 2 and 3, it is seen that the adjustment mechanism includes a track 18 secured to the fender deck 16, a slide means 20 formed in the composite base 14 and an adjustable locking means including a lever 22 and fore and aft spaced incremental stops 24 formed in the slide18. The handle 26 of this locking lever 22 protrudes out through CA 02234~63 1998-0~-08 an opening 28 in the front of the base 14 and is positioned between the operator's legs so that the seat 12 can be easily adjusted while the operator is sitting on it.
The track 18 is attached to the fender deck 16, which in the preferred embodiment is of metal. As s,hown in Figs. 1 and 2, the track 18 is secured to the central portion of the 5 fender deck 16 and extends fore-and-aft therealong, including laterally spaced-apart upwardly and outwardly extending track surfaces or flanges 30. In the preferred embodiment, l:he track 18 is positioned on the fender deck 16 with downwardly extending positioning tabs 32 and then welded or secured in a similar conventional fashion.
The seat base 14 is preferably of a composite material such as plastic. As can be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, the base 14 includes a slide means 20 formed in its central and bottom portion which extends fore-and-aft and is configured to slidably receive the laterally spaced-apart l:rack surfaces 30. In its preferred embodiment, the slide means 20 takes the form of elongalted slots 34 formed in the bottom and central portion of the seat base 14. The seat base 14 is mounted on the track 18 to be closely adjacent to the fender deck 16, see Fig. 5, so that when occupied by an operator, the bottom will contact and slide along the surface of the deck 16 as the base 14 is adjusted fore-and-aft along the slide 18.
The locking means includes the locking lever 22 carried by the seat base 14 which is engagable witlh the incremental stops 24. One end 36 of the lever 22 is bent into a u-shape, see Fig. 3, so that it can be slidably mounted onto a bar structure 38 formed in the mid to rear portion of the base 14. The opening of the u-shaped portion 36 is smaller than the bar 38 and accordingly, must be pressed into place. Left and right tabs 40 at the top sides of the bar 381Ocate the locking lever 22 when it is being mounted to the bar 38. Another upwardly projecting knob 42 is formed at the forwardly portion of the bar 38. As the lever 22 is slid onto the! bar 38, the opening 44 of the locking lever 22 is snapped up and over the knob 42 and serves to secure the lever 22 against rearwardly movement relative to the base 14 once it has been slidingly positioned onto to the bar 38. The bar 38 is further provided with a pair of laterally downwardly projecting ears 46. The lever 22 includes openings which seat over the ears 46 once the lever 22 has been installed to further secure the lever 22 against rearwardly movement relative to the base 14. Abutment between the rear of the bar 38 and the rearwardly interior surface of the u-shaped portion 36 of the lever prevents forwardly movement of the lever 22 once installed on the bar 38.
The locking lever 22 includes an opening 48 sized to fit over a stop 24. The stops 24 are formed between the track surfaces 30 and include a plurality of spaced apart vertical stop surfaces 50. The sides of the opening 48 in the lever 22 are formed by a pair of upstanding tabs 52 which abut the vertical sides 50 of a stop 24 and serve to secure the seat base 14 against fore-and-aft movement relative to the track 18 and deck 16. The front or CA 02234~63 1998-0~-08 handle 26 of the locking lever 22 protrudes out through the opening 28 in the seat base 14 so that it can be lockably engaged or disengaged while the operator is seated. Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the seat base 14, track 18, slide 20 and locking means with the locking lever 22 illustrated in solid in its engaged position and in phantom in its disengaged position.
With the present adjustment mechanism, the fore-and-aft position of the seat 12 can quickly be changed to accommodate an operator's particular physical size prior to operation of the tractor 10. Once mounted on the tractor 10, the operator would reach between his legs to pull on the forward end or handle 26 of the locking lever 22 and raise it to the position 10 illustrated in plhantom in Fig. 3. He would then slide the seat 12 rearwardly or forwardly to select a fore-and-aft position which is comfortable. As the seat 12 is shifted, the slide means 20 provided in the composite seat base 14 would slidably move along the upwardly and outwardly track surfaces 30 of the metal track 18. As the operator slidably moves the seat 12 forwardly or backwardly, the laterally spaced bottom surfaces 54 of the base 14, which 15 are of a composite material, contact and slidably move along the fender deck 16. These base surfaces 54 provide additional slide surfaces between the base 14 and the fender deck 16, thereby allowing the use of just the single slide and track mechanism. When the seat 12 has been moved to a comfortable position, the handle 26 would be released and due to the formed-ln bias in the spring steel lever 22, it would be urged downwardly, allowing the 20 opening 48 and its tabs 52 to be positioned fore-and-aft of one of the incremental stops 24 and its vertical surfaces 50 on the track 18. The upright tabs 52 then serve to secure the seat in that position.
With the present invention there is provided a quickly and easily adjustable seat adjustment mechanism with a minimum number of parts. The composite base material25 permits forming of the slide means in the base as well as providing bottom surfaces which can easily slide on the metal deck. The spring steel locking lever serves to quickly and easily secure the seat in multiple positions. The use of composites and spring steel minimizes the likelihood that rust or fouling of the mechanism due to dirt, water or other similar foreign materials will occur.
Field of fhe Invention:
The present invention relates to operator seats which are fore-and-aft adjustable and more specifically, to an adjustable track and slide mechanism which allows the operator to change the seat position while sitting on it.
Descri"tion of the Related Art:
On smaller vehicles, such as lawn and garden tractors, it is common to mount theoperator seat for fore-and-aft adjustment. These seats, which are generally supported by 10 the fender dec:k of the vehicle, have typically been mounted on a pair of spaced-apart tracks.
On sorne vehicles, the tracks are provided by forming elongated slots in the fender deck or securing brackets to the deck and utilizing bolts which project up through the slots in the deck or br;acket and into separate brackets carried on the seat or seat base. Fore-and-aft adjustmenl: is then accomplished through sliding the seat or base along the slots in the 15 deck or brackets. The bolts are often fitted with nuts, some of which are adapted to be adjusted by hand to eliminate the need for special tools.
These slide mechanisms generally require that an operator dismount the seat to adjust it, then remount to determine if it is positioned correctly. This process must often be repeated to properly position the seat.
Othem3djustment mechanisms are provided with a pair of spaced-apart slides, eachslide having two members. One slide member is typically secured to the deck with the other member being secured to the seat or base. A separate spring loaded locking mechanism is then provided on one of the pair of slides to permit adjustment and locking of the fore-and-aft position of the seat on the deck.
Further, the metal slides, bearings and brackets utilized with these adjustment mechanisms c:an rust and/or become contaminated with dirt or other foreign materials causing them to become difficult to adjust, sometimes locking or jamming.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a seat mechanism which could be adjusted by the operator without requiring him to dismount the vehicle, as well as one which could be 30 easily and quickly adjusted by the operator to the exact position comfortable for him.
Additionally, it would be desirable to provide adjustment mechanism parts which would resist deterioration, r usting and/or fouling by contamination. It would also be desirable to provide an adjustment mechanism having fewer parts, therefore being less expensive to manufacture, assemble and repair.
CA 02234~63 1998-0~-08 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Towards these ends, there is provided a seat adjustment mechanism which utilizes a single metal track secured to the fender deck structure, with that track being received in a slide formed in a composite seat base. The metal track has incremental stops formed along its length which can be engaged by a locking lever carried on the seat. The single metal track utilizes no metal bearings, nuts or bolts nor does it require any tools for adjustment.
The locking lever is comprised of spring steel and includes a handle which projects forwardly from beneath the seat and between the operator's legs for quick, simple and easy 10 locking and unlocking while the operator occupies the seat. The lever can be quickly and easily engagecl and disengaged to allow the operator to adjust the seat to its most comfortable fore-and-aft position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a lawn and garden vehicle upon which thepresent invention could be used.
Figure 2 is an enlarged and elevated perspective view of the seat base, slide, track and locking lever as mounted on the fender deck.
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the base, slide, track and locking lever, illustrating the locking lever in its secured position in solid and in its unlocked position in phantom.
Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic view illustrating the seat base, slide, track and fender deck.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Looking first to Figure 1, there is illustrated a lawn and garden tractor 10 including an operator's seat 12. The seat 12 is mounted on a composite base 14, which in turn is carried 30 on an adjustable seat mechanism which extends between the seat base 14 and the fender deck 1 6.
Looking also to Figs 2 and 3, it is seen that the adjustment mechanism includes a track 18 secured to the fender deck 16, a slide means 20 formed in the composite base 14 and an adjustable locking means including a lever 22 and fore and aft spaced incremental stops 24 formed in the slide18. The handle 26 of this locking lever 22 protrudes out through CA 02234~63 1998-0~-08 an opening 28 in the front of the base 14 and is positioned between the operator's legs so that the seat 12 can be easily adjusted while the operator is sitting on it.
The track 18 is attached to the fender deck 16, which in the preferred embodiment is of metal. As s,hown in Figs. 1 and 2, the track 18 is secured to the central portion of the 5 fender deck 16 and extends fore-and-aft therealong, including laterally spaced-apart upwardly and outwardly extending track surfaces or flanges 30. In the preferred embodiment, l:he track 18 is positioned on the fender deck 16 with downwardly extending positioning tabs 32 and then welded or secured in a similar conventional fashion.
The seat base 14 is preferably of a composite material such as plastic. As can be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, the base 14 includes a slide means 20 formed in its central and bottom portion which extends fore-and-aft and is configured to slidably receive the laterally spaced-apart l:rack surfaces 30. In its preferred embodiment, the slide means 20 takes the form of elongalted slots 34 formed in the bottom and central portion of the seat base 14. The seat base 14 is mounted on the track 18 to be closely adjacent to the fender deck 16, see Fig. 5, so that when occupied by an operator, the bottom will contact and slide along the surface of the deck 16 as the base 14 is adjusted fore-and-aft along the slide 18.
The locking means includes the locking lever 22 carried by the seat base 14 which is engagable witlh the incremental stops 24. One end 36 of the lever 22 is bent into a u-shape, see Fig. 3, so that it can be slidably mounted onto a bar structure 38 formed in the mid to rear portion of the base 14. The opening of the u-shaped portion 36 is smaller than the bar 38 and accordingly, must be pressed into place. Left and right tabs 40 at the top sides of the bar 381Ocate the locking lever 22 when it is being mounted to the bar 38. Another upwardly projecting knob 42 is formed at the forwardly portion of the bar 38. As the lever 22 is slid onto the! bar 38, the opening 44 of the locking lever 22 is snapped up and over the knob 42 and serves to secure the lever 22 against rearwardly movement relative to the base 14 once it has been slidingly positioned onto to the bar 38. The bar 38 is further provided with a pair of laterally downwardly projecting ears 46. The lever 22 includes openings which seat over the ears 46 once the lever 22 has been installed to further secure the lever 22 against rearwardly movement relative to the base 14. Abutment between the rear of the bar 38 and the rearwardly interior surface of the u-shaped portion 36 of the lever prevents forwardly movement of the lever 22 once installed on the bar 38.
The locking lever 22 includes an opening 48 sized to fit over a stop 24. The stops 24 are formed between the track surfaces 30 and include a plurality of spaced apart vertical stop surfaces 50. The sides of the opening 48 in the lever 22 are formed by a pair of upstanding tabs 52 which abut the vertical sides 50 of a stop 24 and serve to secure the seat base 14 against fore-and-aft movement relative to the track 18 and deck 16. The front or CA 02234~63 1998-0~-08 handle 26 of the locking lever 22 protrudes out through the opening 28 in the seat base 14 so that it can be lockably engaged or disengaged while the operator is seated. Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the seat base 14, track 18, slide 20 and locking means with the locking lever 22 illustrated in solid in its engaged position and in phantom in its disengaged position.
With the present adjustment mechanism, the fore-and-aft position of the seat 12 can quickly be changed to accommodate an operator's particular physical size prior to operation of the tractor 10. Once mounted on the tractor 10, the operator would reach between his legs to pull on the forward end or handle 26 of the locking lever 22 and raise it to the position 10 illustrated in plhantom in Fig. 3. He would then slide the seat 12 rearwardly or forwardly to select a fore-and-aft position which is comfortable. As the seat 12 is shifted, the slide means 20 provided in the composite seat base 14 would slidably move along the upwardly and outwardly track surfaces 30 of the metal track 18. As the operator slidably moves the seat 12 forwardly or backwardly, the laterally spaced bottom surfaces 54 of the base 14, which 15 are of a composite material, contact and slidably move along the fender deck 16. These base surfaces 54 provide additional slide surfaces between the base 14 and the fender deck 16, thereby allowing the use of just the single slide and track mechanism. When the seat 12 has been moved to a comfortable position, the handle 26 would be released and due to the formed-ln bias in the spring steel lever 22, it would be urged downwardly, allowing the 20 opening 48 and its tabs 52 to be positioned fore-and-aft of one of the incremental stops 24 and its vertical surfaces 50 on the track 18. The upright tabs 52 then serve to secure the seat in that position.
With the present invention there is provided a quickly and easily adjustable seat adjustment mechanism with a minimum number of parts. The composite base material25 permits forming of the slide means in the base as well as providing bottom surfaces which can easily slide on the metal deck. The spring steel locking lever serves to quickly and easily secure the seat in multiple positions. The use of composites and spring steel minimizes the likelihood that rust or fouling of the mechanism due to dirt, water or other similar foreign materials will occur.
Claims (9)
1. For use in a vehicle having a deck structure adapted to support a seat structure; the improvement comprising track and slide means between said structures for slidably adjusting the seat structure fore-and-aft with respect to the deck structure, including:
an elongated track secured to a central portion of one structure and extending fore and aft therealong, the track including laterally spaced-apart and outwardly extending surfaces and a plurality of fore-and-aft spaced incremental stops between said track surfaces;
the slide means coupled with the mid-portion of the other structure and extending fore and aft, said slide means adapted to slidably receive the laterally spaced-apart track surfaces; and a locking lever carried with the seat structure and biased towards engagement with the incremental stops as the seat structure is shifted fore and aft.
an elongated track secured to a central portion of one structure and extending fore and aft therealong, the track including laterally spaced-apart and outwardly extending surfaces and a plurality of fore-and-aft spaced incremental stops between said track surfaces;
the slide means coupled with the mid-portion of the other structure and extending fore and aft, said slide means adapted to slidably receive the laterally spaced-apart track surfaces; and a locking lever carried with the seat structure and biased towards engagement with the incremental stops as the seat structure is shifted fore and aft.
2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the track is supported on the deck structure, the slide means is carried on the seat structure and the locking lever is coupled with the seat structure.
3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the track surfaces extend outwardly and upwardly and the stops include surfaces extending upwardly.
4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the track is secured to the deck structure and the seat structure includes a composite base within which the slide means is formed.
5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the base extends laterally of the slide means and projects downwardly to be closely adjacent the deck structure, with portions of the base being slidably engagable with the deck structure as the seat structure is adjusted fore and aft.
6. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the track surfaces extend upwardly and outwardly and the slide means includes slotted portions wherein the track surfaces are slidably receivable.
7. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the locking lever is formed of spring steel, is biased towards the track and includes an opening engagable with the incremental stops.
8. For use in a vehicle having a deck adapted to support an operator's seat which is adjustable fore-and-aft on said deck; the improvement comprising means between the deck and seat for slidably adjusting the seat fore-and-aft with respect to the vehicle including:
an elongated track secured to a central portion of the deck and extending fore and aft therealong, the track including laterally spaced-apart and upwardly and outwardly extending surfaces and a plurality of fore-and-aft spaced incremental stop surfaces carried between said track surfaces;
a composite seat base having a slide means formed in the mid-portion of the baseand extending fore-and-aft, said slide means adapted to receive the laterally spaced-apart track; surfaces;
and a locking lever secured with the seat base and biased downwardly, the locking means including means selectively engagable with any of the plurality of incremental stop surfaces as the seat is shifted fore and aft.
an elongated track secured to a central portion of the deck and extending fore and aft therealong, the track including laterally spaced-apart and upwardly and outwardly extending surfaces and a plurality of fore-and-aft spaced incremental stop surfaces carried between said track surfaces;
a composite seat base having a slide means formed in the mid-portion of the baseand extending fore-and-aft, said slide means adapted to receive the laterally spaced-apart track; surfaces;
and a locking lever secured with the seat base and biased downwardly, the locking means including means selectively engagable with any of the plurality of incremental stop surfaces as the seat is shifted fore and aft.
9. The invention defined in claim 8 wherein the base extends laterally of the slide means and projects downwardly to be closely adjacent the deck, with portions of the base being slidably engagable with the deck as the base is adjusted fore and aft.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US88206597A | 1997-06-25 | 1997-06-25 | |
| US08/882,065 | 1997-06-25 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2234563A1 true CA2234563A1 (en) | 1998-12-25 |
Family
ID=25379816
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2234563 Abandoned CA2234563A1 (en) | 1997-06-25 | 1998-05-08 | Adjustable seat mechanism |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2234563A1 (en) |
-
1998
- 1998-05-08 CA CA 2234563 patent/CA2234563A1/en not_active Abandoned
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US7219961B2 (en) | Pivoting seat | |
| EP1044114B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for assembly of a riding lawn mower seat | |
| US6802563B1 (en) | Adjustable seat bolsters | |
| US7819475B2 (en) | Sliding latching system | |
| CA2037945C (en) | Seat suspension with cam support member and spring assisted height adjustment | |
| EP1870277B1 (en) | Seat slide locator | |
| US6568699B2 (en) | Adjustable sissy bar mechanism for use with a motorcycle | |
| US4496190A (en) | Parallel folding armrest | |
| US6007150A (en) | Motorcycle seat with adjustable backrest | |
| US5558400A (en) | Adjustable height high chair | |
| DE60209496T2 (en) | SEAT WITH EASY ACCESS AND BACKREST MOUNTED FLOOR LOCKING | |
| US4168050A (en) | Tiltable swivel seat | |
| US4717203A (en) | Seat having an adjustable seat portion | |
| AU672940B2 (en) | Swivel recliner/rocker chair having preloaded base assembly | |
| GB2240035A (en) | Auxiliary chair for vehicle | |
| US5462338A (en) | Adjustable arm control | |
| EP1636062A2 (en) | Sports seat for a vehicle, especially for a motor vehicle | |
| CA2044890C (en) | Operator seat base | |
| US4241893A (en) | Adjustable seat assembly | |
| AU2002335941B2 (en) | Pivotable boat seat | |
| GB2175200A (en) | Automotive seat | |
| US4487453A (en) | Seat recliner adjustment mechanism | |
| US6176459B1 (en) | Self-locking angularly-tilting seat support | |
| US9211814B2 (en) | Seat adjusting mechansim for vehicle | |
| CA2234563A1 (en) | Adjustable seat mechanism |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |