GB2197830A

GB2197830A - Handle for adjusting a vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: GB2197830A
Application number: GB08725150A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gudrun Schmidt
Original assignee: R Schmidt GmbH
Current assignee: R Schmidt GmbH
Priority date: 1986-11-03
Filing date: 1987-10-27
Publication date: 1988-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-27
Also published as: IT1222935B; FR2606180A1; ES2008738A6; DE3729860A1; DE8629207U1; KR920000771B1; GB8725150D0; GB2197830B; FR2606180B3; DE3729860C2; KR880006073A; IT8722314A0

Abstract

The mechanism has a shaft fixed to a frame so that it can rotate with a limited range of rotation of more than 360 DEG , so that a middle position is detectable on turning the handle. A locating device (6) mounted in a frame (1) is resiliently urged by a spring into a groove (5) running around the long axis of the handle (2) and rotatable with the handle, so that on turning the handle (2) it follows the groove (5) over its entire length. The length of the groove (5) corresponds to the maximum rotational range of the handle (2) and in about the middle of its length there is a defined notch (11) to reversibly engage the locating device (6). <IMAGE>

Description

HANDLE FOR ADJUSTING A VEHICLE SEAT This invention relates to a rotatable handle mechanism for a vehicle seat, especially for a reclining seat, having a shaft located in a frame so that it can rotate through a limited range of rotation of more than 3600.

This type of rotating handle mechanism usually serves to adjust the position of the seat or other component, especially in a motor vehicle, and thus enables the most favourable individual seat position to be attained. For this set purpose the rotating handle is usually arranged at the side of the seat, and as a result the handle is to say the least, hard to see by a seated person.

The extreme positions of the known rotating handles of this kind can be felt by the limitations of the rotating movement, but not a mid position, which as a rule is the normal position of a turnable handle which moves through more than 360".

The object of the invention is to provide by simple means an improved rotating handle mechanism of the kind specified in which on turning the handle a middle position is readily detectable.

Accordingly, the present invention is characterized by the provision of a locating link arranged in the frame, which is elastically applied to a groove and is held fast in position so that on turning the handle it follows the groove which is arranged around the long axis of the handle and is rotatable with the handle, over its entire length, the length of the groove corresponding to the maximum range of rotation of the handle, and whereby in the middle of the length of the groove, a notch is provided to reversibly engage the locating device.

By these means, in the range of rotation of the handle between the end positions, a resistance can be felt when the locating device passes into the notch. It is thereby also ensured that the locating device passes the notch only once throughout the whole turning movement in either turning direction, even when the maximum range of rotation is greater than 360".

In an advantageous further development, the locating device is in the form of a bolt with convergent sides and is braced in the groove under static friction, and furthermore is held in the direction of the longitutinal extent of the groove between two fixed metallic stops disposed along the two opposite sides of the locating device, with so little play in movement, that on engagement of the locating device in the notch, metallic parts of the locating device strike one of the stops.

By virtue of this arrangement on turning the handle the locating device, as a result of being braced in the groove by static friction, is carried with it in the turning direction of the handle until the locating device is stopped by one of the fixed stops. If the locating device with sloping sides passes the notch then the locating device moves into the notch through the resilience of the spring and strikes the stop with the creation of noise, so that this position can be heard as well as felt.

With one of the turning handles of this type built into a vehicle seat, the striking noise is increased by the more or less hollow construction of the seating section since this acts as a resonance body.

Preferably, the groove is in the form of a screw and arranged coaxially with the long axis of the handle and the locating device is radially fixed.

In a variant which is advantageous in some circumstances, the groove is in the form of a spiral, which is pierced in the middle, at a right angle, by the longitudinal axis of the handle and the locating device is arranged concentrically.

The groove can be in the spindle of the handle or in the handle itself.

An especially favourable variant from the point of view of manufacturing techniques is characterized in that the groove is formed integrally and rotation-fast with the handle and/or the spindle, from plastics material.

A preferred and on technical manufacturing grounds especially favourable construction of the locating device consists in this having a metallic tube of which one end is quasi-spherically adjustably held in the frame and in the other end of which is disposed a locating peg, which can be pressed in against spring pressure. In this case the metallic tube also works as a resonance body.

An advantageous, extremely simple, economical and space saving further development of the invention is characterized in that two separate rotating handles are provided arranged parallel close to each other in the same frame, both rotating handles being provided with a groove, and between both handles one locating device is provided both ends of which carry a locating peg, one locating peg engaging with the groove of one handle and the other locating peg with the groove of the other handle.

A typical example is described by way of example in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a device for the adjustment of part of the back-rest of a vehicle seat ,especially of a motor vehicle, seen from line I-I in Fig 2; and Fig. 2 is the same device in side view.

Referring to the drawings, on one frame plate 1 are two rotating handles 2 arranged at a distance from one another, the spindles of which are set at right angles to the plane of the frame plate and are mounted in the frame plate 1 to allow rotation through more than 360".

The rotation range of each handle 2 amounts to about 4.5 rotations.

On the spindle 3 of each handle 2 is an essentially cylindrical part 4 of plastic, carried coaxially and arranged rotation-fast, in the outer surface of which is formed a groove 5 in the form of a screw thread.

The grooves 5 have a rounded profile. Between parts 4 of both handles 2 a common locating device 6 is positioned. The latter consists of a straight, annular profiled metallic tube 7, in both ends of which an axially movable locating peg 8 is mounted. In tube 7 there is also a spring element 9 comprising a helical spring under compression, the ends of which bear on the locating pegs 8 and press the latter under static friction into the grooves 5 of parts 4.

The free ends of the locating pegs 8 are rounded to correspond to the profile of the grooves 5.

On the two opposite sides of the locating device 6 two stops 10 are arranged on the frame plate 1 which, at two positions spaced axially, curtail sideways movement of the locating device 6.

The length of each groove 5 corresponds to the total rotational path of handle 2 so that the locating device can follow the groove 5 over the entire rotation range of the handle. Sideways movement of the locating device 6 is limited by the stops 10.

In the middle of each length of groove is a notch 11, formed as a hole, into which the locating pegs 8 reversibly spring when the locating device 6 is aligned therewith.

The spacing of the opposed stops 10 from one another is about 1/25 greater than the diameter of the part of the tube 7 which is between the stops 10.

On the opposite side of the frame plate 1 from the handles 2 there are disposed discs 12, which can be removed by turning from the spindles 3, which carry fixing members 13.

Except for the handles 2, part 4 and the locating pegs 8, all other parts consist of metal, especially steel.

All new individual and combined features disclosed in the description and/or drawings are seen as essentially inventive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A rotatable handle mechanism for a vehicle seat, especially a reclining seat, comprising a shaft mounted in a frame so that it can rotate and which has a limited range of rotation of more than 360 , characterized in that the handle is provided on one end of the shaft and a locating device mounted on the frame is resiliently retained by a spring in a groove running around the long axis of the handle and rotatable with the handle so that on turning the handle it follows the groove over its entire length, the length of the groove corresponding to the maximum rotational movement of the handle, and wherein at about the middle of the length of said groove there is a defined notch operable reversibly to engage the locating device.

2. A handle mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that the locating device comprises a bolt with converging sides, and is held in the groove by static friction, and in the direction of the length of the groove is fastened between two metallic guides disposed one on each long side of the locating device with play such that on engagement of the locating device in the notch metallic parts of the locating device strike the guides.

3. A handle mechanism according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized in that the groove has the form of a screw thread and is coaxial with the long axis of the handle, and the locating device is arranged approximately radially.

4. A handle mechanism according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized in that the groove has the form of a spiral which is arranged in one of the planes central and at right angles to the long axis of the handle, and the locating device extends approximately concentrically to the long axis of the handle.

5. A handle mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the groove is formed in the shaft of the handle.

6. A handle mechanism according to any one of Claims I to 4, characterized in that the groove is formed in the handle.

7. A handle mechanism according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the groove is formed integrally with the handle and/or the part of the handle fixed for rotation with the shaft, and preferably is made from plastic.

8. A handle mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locating device is a metallic tube of which one end part is quasi-spherically adjustably held in the frame and in the other end there is a locating peg which can be pressed into the tube against said spring.

9. A handle mechanism according to any preceding claim, characterized in that two turnable handles are provided separated from one another but arranged in parallel close to one another in the same frame, both handles each having a groove, and said locating device which has a locating peg at each end is held between the two handles, whereby one locating peg interacts with the groove of one handle and the other locating peg interacts with the groove of the other handle.

10. A handle mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.