FR2791082A1 - Device for locking back of automobile rear bench seat on part of bodywork has bolt carried by back engaging strike plate carried by support - Google Patents

Abstract

Locking device comprises bolt (20) carried by casing (25) integral with back which engages strike plate carried by support. Bolt has cylindrical locking body (26) which can be displaced on casing between position fitted in strike plate orifice and position separated from strike plate. Body is released from its locked position by clamping strike plate between retractable ball (30) and ball masking socket (32) sliding axially on locking body. Locking body is axially immobilized by complementary shoulders (50,52) and internal annular groove (54) in socket.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for locking an organ

  on a support, of the type comprising a bolt carried by the member intended to cooperate with the

  minus a keeper carried by the support.

  Such a locking device is used in particular for hanging a rear seat backrest of a motor vehicle on a part of the body of this

  vehicle, for example a quarter amount.

  In such a case, the backrest generally has a lower end, articulated around an axis transverse to the passenger compartment, and an upper end, carrying the bolt. The body carries two or more keepers arranged substantially on an arc centered on the axis of articulation of the backrest. By locking the bolt selectively in the different strikes, the inclination of the backrest is adjusted around the articulation axis. Furthermore, the backrest is generally foldable, after unlocking the bolts, in a substantially horizontal position for increasing the volume available in the boot of the vehicle. The invention aims to provide a resistant locking device, applicable in particular to a rear seat backrest of a motor vehicle, so as to be able to equip this backrest with anchor points for a seat belt and easily maneuver this backrest between its different positions of normal use and folding. To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for locking a member on a support, of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the bolt comprises a locking body of generally cylindrical shape, mounted movable on the member, substantially parallel to the axis of this body, between a position of engagement in an opening of the strike and a position of separation of the strike, and releasable means of locking the body in its position of engagement in the strike by tightening of this keeper between at least one retractable ball and a masking sleeve for this ball slidably mounted axially on the body, the device further comprising releasable means for axially immobilizing the locking body and the sleeve relative to the member

  when this locking body is in the striker separation position.

  According to other characteristics of the invention: - the masking sleeve is movable between a position for releasing the ball and a position for masking this ball towards which this sleeve is resiliently recalled, the axial immobilization means comprising shoulders complementary axial immobilization of the socket relative to the member, carried by the member and this socket, urged to bear against one another when this socket is in the position for masking the balls, and an internal annular groove , formed in the socket, intended to immobilize the locking body axially with respect to this socket by fitting the ball into the groove; the support has a generally substantially planar shape, the member being movable substantially parallel to this support and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the locking body, the ball being movable between protruding and retracted positions by means of a movable mounted needle axially in the locking body and resiliently returned to a position for holding the ball in the projecting position, the support comprising, along the path of movement of the member, two ramps with evolving profiles intended to cooperate respectively with two complementary cams formed , One on one end of the sleeve, and the other on one end of an axial extension of the needle projecting through the locking body, so as to move the sleeve and the needle one with respect to the other to fit the ball into the axial immobilization groove or dislodge this ball from this groove depending on whether the organ e moves away or approaches the strike; - The profiles of the ramps evolve so that, when the bolt moves away from the keeper, initially, the socket is resiliently returned to its position for masking the ball, in which the axial immobilization shoulders are resting against each other, the needle being held in a position allowing the retraction of the ball, then, in a second step, the needle is resiliently returned to its position for holding the ball in projecting position, in which this ball is fitted into the axial immobilization groove; - The end cam of the sleeve has a generally curved profile forming a pad; - The ramp cooperating with the extension of the needle is delimited, at least in part, by the bottom of a groove formed in a guide rib of the sleeve intended to cooperate a% c a slot of complementary shape formed in this sleeve , and the ramp cooperating with the sleeve is divided into two parts extending on either side of the ramp cooperating with the extension of the needle; - the body is a seat back of a motor vehicle and the support is a body part of this vehicle

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows

  given only by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rear seat of a motor vehicle comprising a backrest provided with a locking device according to the invention; - Figures 2 to 5 are views in axial section of the locking device carried by the folder shown in Figure 1, showing this device in different locking or unlocking configurations; - Figure 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of Figure 5; - Figure 7 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the retracting sleeve of the lock shown in Figures 2 to 6; - Figure 8 is a front view of the part of the vehicle body carrying two strikes and the ramps with progressive profiles intended to cooperate with the bolt of the lock

  shown in Figures 2 to 6.

  FIG. 1 shows a passenger compartment 10 of a motor vehicle

  comprising a rear bench seat 12 provided with a seat 14 and a backrest 16.

  The backrest 16 has a lower end mounted articulated in a manner known per se around an axis T transverse to the vehicle. The backrest 16 also has an upper end which, when this backrest is in the normal position of use, is hung on the vehicle body by means of at least one locking device 18 according to the invention, preferably two locking devices 18

  arranged on the left and right ends of the backrest.

  The locking device 18 comprises a bolt 20 carried by the upper end of the backrest, intended to cooperate with at least one keeper 22 carried by the body,

  for example by a part of this box forming an amount 24 of quarter light.

  Preferably, the body carries at least two keepers 22, as shown in FIG. 1, arranged substantially on an arc of a circle centered on the axis T. The bolt 20 is intended to cooperate selectively with the keepers 22 so as to allow discontinuous adjustment of the inclination of the backrest 16 around the hinge axis T. Also shown in Figure 1 a reference R having three axes oriented in the longitudinal directions (X axis), transverse (Y axis) and vertical (axis

Z) usual vehicle.

  It will be noted that the body part carrying the keepers 22 is substantially planar and parallel to the axes X and Z. The backrest 16 is therefore movable around the axis T substantially parallel to the body part carrying the keepers so as to be hung in one or the other of the strikes or folded down in position substantially

  horizontal, especially against the seat.

  The locking device 18 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 6. In these figures, we see that the bolt 20 is carried by a housing 25 secured to the backrest. The bolt 20 comprises a locking body 26, in the general shape of a cylindrical spindle with an axis substantially parallel to the axis Y, housed at least partially in the housing 25. The latter, of generally cylindrical shape coaxial with the body 26, has a first open end 25A close to the part of the body carrying the strikes 22, at

  through which extends the body 26. The second end 25B of the housing is closed.

  The body 26 is mounted displaceable in the housing 25, substantially parallel to its axis, between a position of nesting in an orifice 28 of a keeper, as shown in FIG. 2, and a position of separation of this keeper, such than

  shown in Figures 3 to 6.

  The body 26 is locked in the fitting position in a corresponding keeper 22 using releasable means comprising at least one ball 30, retractable mounted in the body 26, and a sleeve 32 for masking this ball mounted to slide axially on this body 26, through the open end 25A of the housing. The

  masking sleeve 32 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7.

  With particular reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the body 26 is locked in the keeper 22 by clamping this keeper between the ball 30 and one end 32E of the

  socket outside the housing. The ball 30 cooperates with a first face 22A of the keeper.

  The external end 32E of the sleeve cooperates with the second face 22B of the keeper.

  Preferably, the bolt 20 comprises several balls 30, for example three, housed in a manner known per se in radial channels 34, angularly spaced,

  formed in the locking body 26.

  The balls 30 can be moved between protruding and retracted positions by means of a needle 36 slidably mounted in an axial bore 38 of the body 26. This

  bore 38 communicates with the radial channels 34.

  The needle 36 is of a conventional type, for example described in FR-A-2 735 810 (FR-95 07 605). The needle 36 is movable between a first end position, in which it keeps the balls 30 in a projecting position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a second end position, in which it allows the retraction of the balls 30 in the body 26, as shown in the

figure 3.

  The needle 36 is returned elastically to its first end-of-travel position by a thrust spring Ri, housed in the bore 38, interposed between a shoulder of the needle 36 and a bearing 42 for axially guiding this needle 36, secured to the body 26. The needle 36 is controlled using means 44 which are shown diagrammatically only in FIGS. 2 and 3. These means 44 comprise, for example, a pull cable 46 of Bowden type connecting a first end 36A from the needle to a control lever 48. The cable 46 extends through one end

38A through hole 38.

  The locking body 26 is resiliently returned to its nesting position in a corresponding keeper 22 under the effect of a thrust spring R2, housed in the housing 25, interposed between the closed end 25B of this housing and the 26I end internal to the body housing. Furthermore, the locking body 26 is movable towards its position of separation from the keeper, opposite to the previous one, under the effect of the means of

  control 44, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

  The sleeve 32 is movable along the body 26 between a position for releasing the balls 30, as shown in FIG. 2, and a position for masking these balls 30, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The sleeve 32 is returned elastically to its masking position by a thrust spring R3 interposed between

  the open end 25A of the housing and the external end 32A of this socket.

  The sleeve 32 is immobilized in rotation relative to the housing 25 using

  conventional means, not shown in the figures.

  The locking device 18 further comprises releasable means for axially immobilizing the locking body 26 and the masking sleeve 32 by

  compared to box 25 and therefore to file 16.

  These axial immobilization means comprise complementary shoulders 50, 52 formed in the end 32I internal to the casing of the socket and in the open end 25A of this casing. These shoulders 50, 52 are urged to bear against one another by the thrust spring R2, when the sleeve 32 is in its position for masking the balls as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, so as to immobilize

  axially the socket 32 relative to the housing 25.

  The axial immobilization means further comprise an annular groove 54, formed in the bush 32. This groove 54 is intended to immobilize the body 26 relative to the bush 32 by fitting the balls 30 into this groove 54,

  as shown in Figures 4 to 6.

  We will describe below the means for moving the sleeve 32 and the needle 36 relative to each other to fit the balls 30 in the groove 54 or disengage these balls 30 from this groove 54, depending on whether the file is removed from the keepers 22, for example to be folded against the seat 14, or brought closer to a keeper 22 to be there

  locked in normal use position.

  These means for relative displacement of the sleeve and the needle comprise ramps with evolving profiles formed in the body of the vehicle, along the path of movement of the bolt 20, when the backrest 16 is moved between its locking positions in a keeper and folding against the seat. These ramps are

  shown schematically in Figure 1 and in more detail in Figures 3 to 6 and 8.

  A first ramp 56, called central, is intended to cooperate with a complementary cam 58 formed by an axial extension of the second end 36B of the needle. This extension projects through the end 26 E of the external body at

housing 25.

  The second ramp 60, said to be bordering, is intended to cooperate with a complementary cam 62 formed on the external end 32 E of the sleeve. It will be noted that the profile of the cam 62 has a generally curved shape forming a pad facilitating its sliding.

  along the bordering ramp 60 (see in particular Figure 3 and 7).

  The ramps 56.60 curve around the axis T. The central ramp 56 is delimited, at least in part, by the bottom of a groove formed in a rib 64 for guiding the sleeve 32 (see FIG. 6) . This rib 64 is intended to cooperate with a guide slot 66 of complementary shape

formed in the socket 32.

  The bordering ramp 60 is divided into two parts extending on either side of the central ramp 56. Each part of the bordering ramp 60 cooperates with a corresponding part of the cam 62 of the sleeve, the two parts of this cam 62 being

separated by the slot 66.

  The profiles of the ramps 56, 60 evolve so as to each present a first section 56A, 60A inclined, close to the keepers 22, extended by a second section 56B, 60B forming a bearing, distant from the keepers 22. In FIG. 8 the limits

  56L, 60L separating the inclined sections from the sections forming bearings of the ramps.

  The main stages of operation of the locking device 18 according to the invention will be described below when a user moves the backrest 16 from its normal position of use in which the bolt 20 is locked in the keeper 22 la

  closer to the ramps 56.60, to its folded position against the seat 14.

  Initially, the locking body 26 of the bolt 20 is fitted and locked

  in keeper 22, as shown in Figure 2.

  To separate the bolt 20 from the keeper 22, the user actuates the control lever 48 so as to firstly urge the needle 36 against the elastic return force of the spring Ri, until it second end of travel position allowing retraction of the balls 30, then, in a second step, the turns of the spring RI being contiguous, the needle 36 together with the body 26 against the elastic return force of the spring R2 up to the position of separation of the body 26 from the keeper 22. The user then moves the backrest 16 by pivoting around the axis T of

  so as to fold it back against the seat 14.

  During this movement, the locking body 26 is first of all in the position of separation of the keeper 22 which has just been described and cooperates with an area of the intermediate body between the keeper 22 and the ramps 56, 60, as shown

  in FIG. 3. The user then releases the control lever 48.

  Then, the bolt 20 continuing to move away from the keeper 22, the cams 58, 62 cooperate with the ramps 56, 60 whose profiles evolve as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8 so as to cause the following sequence including

essentially two times.

  At first, the sleeve 32, cooperating via the cam 62 with the inclined section 6.0A of the bordering ramp, is resiliently recalled by the spring R3 until its position for masking the balls 30, in which the axial immobilization shoulders 50, 52 are in abutment against one another, while the needle 36, the cam 58 of which has not yet reached the central ramp 56, is held in a

  position authorizing the retraction of the balls 30.

  Then, in the second step, the cam 58 of the needle 36 reaches the inclined section 56A of the central ramp, so that this needle 36 is resiliently returned by the spring RI to its position for holding the balls 30 in position prominent. These balls 30 can then fit into the axial immobilization groove 54 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). This has the effect of axially immobilizing the locking body 26 and the sleeve.

  masking 32 with respect to the housing 25.

  Finally, the cams 58,62 complete their travel in contact with the ramps 56,60 by cooperating with the bearings 56B, 60B of these ramps which then have no effect on the

  relative axial positions of the sleeve 32 and the needle 36.

  Beyond the ends of the ramps 56.60 furthest from the keepers 22, the bolt 20 is free: it no longer cooperates with the body of the vehicle. However, the means of axial immobilization of the locking body 26 and of the sleeve 32 relative to the housing 25 oppose the elastic return force of the spring R2 which tends to urge the locking body 26 outside the housing 25. Thus, the axial immobilization means activated in particular by the ramps 56, 60 hold the locking body 26 inside the housing 25, at least in large part, so as to limit the size of

  this locking body 26 outside the housing 25.

  To replace the backrest 16 in a normal use position, it suffices to move this backrest 16 in the opposite direction to that described above, the bolt 20

  then cooperating with the ramps 56.60 in a sequence opposite to that described above

  above which has the effect of releasing the axial immobilization means of the locking body 26 and of the socket 32 relative to the housing 25. When the bolt 20 is replaced in front of the corresponding keeper 22, the locking body 26 engages automatically in this keeper under the effect of the R2 spring, without intervention of

the user.

  The invention does not only apply to the embodiment described above.

  above. In particular, the device according to the invention can be applied to the locking of any member on a support, in particular of a member that can be moved substantially.

  parallel to a substantially flat support.

  Among the advantages of the invention, the following will be noted.

  The locking device according to the invention is very simple to operate.

  In the case of a seat backrest, the user can release the control lever as soon as he has separated the locking body from the corresponding keeper and slightly moved this backrest. After unlocking, the size of the bolt outside the housing

  integral with the backrest, in particular the size of the locking body, is very small.

  Finally, in the case of a seat back, the ramps intended to move the sleeve and the needle relative to one another can be formed directly by stamping on the sheet metal of the body or on an insert on this case, by

  example a molded plastic part.

Claims (7)

  1. Device for locking a member (16) on a support, of the type comprising a bolt (20) carried by the member (16) intended to cooperate with at least one keeper (22) carried by this support, characterized in that the bolt (20) comprises a locking body (26) of generally cylindrical shape, mounted movably on the member (16), substantially parallel to the axis of this body (26), between a nesting position in an opening (28) of the keeper (22) and a position for separating the keeper (22), and releasable means for locking the body (26) in its position for fitting into the keeper (22) by tightening this keeper (22) between at least one retractable ball (30) and a sleeve (32) for masking this ball (30) slidably mounted axially on the body (26), the device further comprising releasable means (50 to 54) axial immobilization of the locking body (26) and the sleeve (32) relative to the member (16) when this body lock (26) is in the position for separating the keeper (22).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the masking sleeve (32) is movable between a position for releasing the ball (30) and a position for masking this ball (30) towards which this sleeve (32) is recalled elastically, the axial immobilization means comprising complementary shoulders (50, 52) for axial immobilization of the sleeve (32) relative to the member (16), carried by the member (16) and this socket (32), urged to bear against each other when this sleeve (32) is in the position for masking the balls (30), and an internal annular groove (54), formed in the sleeve (32), intended to axially immobilizing the locking body (26) relative to this bushing (32) by fitting the ball (30) in the throat (54).   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the support has a generally substantially planar shape, the member (16) being movable substantially parallel to this support and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the locking body (26), the ball (30) being movable between projecting and retracted positions by means of a needle (36) mounted axially displaceable in the locking body (26) and resiliently biased towards a position for holding the ball (30) in projecting position, the support comprising, along the path of movement of the member (16), two ramps (56,60) with evolving profiles intended to cooperate respectively with two complementary cams (58,62) formed, one on one end of the sleeve (32), and the other, on one end of an axial extension of the needle (36) projecting through the locking body (26), so as to move the sleeve (32) and the needle (36) one by r contribution to the other to fit the ball (30) in the axial immobilization groove (54) or dislodge this ball (30) from this groove (54) depending on whether the member (16) moves away from or approaches the keeper (22).   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the profiles of the ramps (56,60) evolve so that, when the bolt (20) moves away from the keeper (22), firstly, the socket ( 32) is returned elastically to its position for masking the ball (30), in which the axial immobilization shoulders (50,52) are in abutment against one another, the needle (36) being maintained in a position allowing the retraction of the ball (30), then, in a second step, the needle (36) is resiliently returned to its position for holding the ball (30) in the projecting position, in which this ball (30) is fitted into the axial immobilization groove (54). 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the cam (62)   end of the sleeve (32) has a generally curved profile forming a pad.   6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized   in that the ramp (56) cooperating with the extension of the needle (36) is delimited, at least in part, by the bottom of a groove formed in a rib (64) for guiding the sleeve (32) intended to cooperate with a slot (66) of complementary shape formed in this socket (32), and in that the ramp (60) cooperating with the socket (32) is divided into two parts extending on either side of the ramp (56) cooperating with the extension of the needle (36).   7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the member is a backrest (16) of a motor vehicle seat and the   support is a body part of this vehicle.