GB2328247A

GB2328247A - Seat recliner mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2328247A
Application number: GB9815482A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dale Ropp
Original assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1997-08-15
Filing date: 1998-07-16
Publication date: 1999-02-17
Also published as: DE19836755A1; GB9815482D0

Abstract

A recliner apparatus for a seat includes a spindle (15) operatively connecting two recliner mechanisms (20) on either side of a seat, each mechanism including a larger ratchet gear (22) and a smaller recliner gear (28) fixed to the spindle (15). Frame member (50) for carrying a seat back frame has a depending gearquadrant (54) with teeth (55) which mesh with the recliner gear (28). A pawl (65) is biased against the ratchet gear (22) and alternatively engages or is disengaged by an actuiator (60) from the ratchet gear to prevent or allow, respectively, the frame member (50) to adjustably recline.

Description

2328247

Background Of The Invention

The present invention relates to reclining seats and, more particularly, to seats generally utilized in vehicles which have an adjustably reclining backrest.

Reclining seats are well known and have become generally standard in many vehicles. However, drawbacks exist with devices currently known to the inventor. For instance, most known reclining backrests utilize a reclining mechanism on only one side of the seat, thus making the seat prone to moment forces. Known recliners which generally can withstand substantial moment forces are bulky and not commercially practical for vehicle seats. Further, known recliners do not provide durable construction and fine adjustment of a seat back. The present invention solves such problems.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a mechanism for allowing a seat back to be adjustably reclined relative to a seat cushion and to be securely held in an adjusted position to withstand significant moment forces about the pivot axis. The invention accomplishes does this while also allowing fine adjustment of a seat backrest. The preferred embodiment of the seat comprises tandem acting reclining mechanisms operatively connected via a spindle on either side of a seat base. Each mechanism comprises a bracket securable to the seat base, having a spindle aperture in which the spindle is rotatably disposed. Fixedly secured to the spindle are a first ratchet gear and a second recliner gear. Rotatably disposed in a second aperture in the bracket is a pawl having at least one tooth for engagement with the ratchet gear to prevent rotation of the spindle and recliner gear or to allow rotation of the spindle and recliner gear. The pawl is connected to a user-accessible handle which is operable to allow and prevent spindle rotation. Rotatably connected to the bracket above the gear at an intermediate portion thereof is a back rest member. The member has a gear portion at a lowermost portion thereof with a plurality of teeth meshing with the recliner gear teeth. The meshing of these gear teeth prevents the member from rotating when the spindle is fixed and allows the member to rotate when the spindle is released.

When the handle is operated from either side of the seat, the pawl releases the ratchet gear, allowing the spindle to rotate. When the spindle is free to rotate, the recliner gear is rotatable, thus allowing the backrest member to rotate. Generally, a seat backrest frame is attached to the member. So, when the member rotates, the seat backrest can recline. When the seat occupant releases the handle, a spring biases the pawl back into engagement with the ratchet gear, preventing the spindle and recliner gear from rotating, and thus holding the seat backrest in its adjusted position.

As stated, mechanisms, one the present invention utilizes two of such on either side of a seat base. A rod can be extended between corresponding pawls so that when the handle is actuated, both pawls release the respecr-ive ratchet gears. When the handle is released, the pawls both act on the respective ratchet gears to secure the seat backrest in its adjusted position. The present invention, thus, provides a simple device for rigidly and securely allowing fine adjustable reclining of a seat back rest.

It is thus an object. of the present invention to provide a recliner mechanism which can be used to adjustably recline a seat backrest and can be operated by the user from either side of a sear- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable seat backresr- recliner mechanism which secures the backrest from both sides thereof to provide a sturdy device resistant to torque and moment arm forces.

It is another object of the present invention cc provide a recliner hihly resistant to moment forces and also which allows fine adjustment of a seat backrest.

Description Of The Drawings

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view olf one side of the recliner mechanism of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a rear view of a seat including the present invention.

Description Of The Preferred Embodiments

In the preferred embodiment:, designared generally 10 in Figure 1, a dualacting recliner mechanism is shown. The invention comprises two recliner devices 2'0, one on either side of a seat 30, cooperating through a spindle 15. As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, a bracket- 40 is designed to be attached to a base 35. Preferably, rhe base 35 is adjustably positionable rotationally or laterally or the like. At or near Lhe top of bracket 40 is seat ba ck frame member 50. Member 50 can be a separate piece attached to a seat frame or can comprise the seat back frame itself extending in an upside-down Ushape (or the like) from one side of the seat to the other. Member 50 is rotatably disposed on bracket 40 and extends downwardly from axis 52 to gear quadrant 54, having a plurality of gear teeCh 55.

RotaLably disposed in and ext-ending becween each bracket 40 is spindle 15. At each bracket 40, spindle 15 carries a ratchet gear 22 and a recliner gear 28, each having a plurality of teeth. Gears 22 and 28 preferably abut one another. Each gear 22, 28 is fixed to spindle 15 such that when either gear 22, 28 is prevented from rotating, spindle 15 is prevented from rotating. Gears 22, 28 are non-rotatably fixed to spindle 15 via radial flange 17 engaging slot 23 of gears 22, 28. of course, any known means of affixing gears 22, 28 to spindle 15 is acceptable.

As shown in Figure 3, teeth 55 of recliner member 50 mesh with teeth 29 of recliner gear 28. As such, member 50 is prevented from rotating when spindle 15 is prevented from rotating. Spindle 15 is alternatively prevented from rotating or allowed to rotate by actuation of handle 60 and pawl 65. Kandle 60 and pawl 65 are rotatably affixed to bracket 40 at a forward portion thereof. Operation of handle 60 operates pawl 65. In one preferred embodiment, a second handle 60 and pawl 65 can be located on the other side of said seat operatively connected by a rod or the like such that the recliner can be operated by either handle 60. Pawl 65 includes at least one tooth 67 engageable with teeth 27 of ratchet gear 22. Spring 68 biases pawl 65 into engagement with ratchet gear 22 when in an adjusted, stationary position. When engaged by pawl 65, ratchet gear 22 is prevented from rotating, thus preventing spindle 15 from rotating. When spindle 15 is prevented from rotating, member 50 is prevented from rotating, thus securing the seat frame in its adjusted position.

Gears 22, 28 thus provide for a secure, fully adjustable seat back 30. Because ratchet gear 28 is a larger gear, a gear ratio is achieved, allowing the seat backrest to be adjusted more finely and to more positions than allowed by other known recliner mechanisms. Preferably, the seat backrest can be rotated approximately 20 for each gear tooth adjustment, but this will vary according to each seat: environment and desired ergonomic characteristics, for example. The larger diameter of gear 28 also provides for stable rotational adjustment by engagement with pawl 65, by reducing the linear forces acting on pawl 65 where pawl 65 and gear 22 meet, for a given rotational force about axis 16 of spindle 15.

Providing dual recliner mechanisms for either side of the seat: also provides a more stable recliner. Each acts independently to secure the seat back frame member 50, and also acts in cooperation with a single actuator. The dual-acting recliner mechanism, thus, is highly resistant to moment arms of the seat back resulting from common usage of the sear, including forces caused by use of shoulder harness seat belts.

Of course, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Other changes and modifications, such as those expressed here or others left unexpressed but apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the following claims.

-7

Claims

I Clai:

1. A recliner mechanism comprising: two cooperating devices operatively connected by a rotatable spindle, each device comprising: a bracket attachable to one side of a seat having two sides; a first gear means affixed to said spindle adjacent said bracket; a second gear means affixed to said spindle adjacent said first gear means; and a reclining member rotatably secured to the bracket having a gear portion meshing with the second gear means; having at least one tooth meshable with one of said to allow or prevent rotation of the one of said and spindle, biased into engagement with the one pawl means first gear means first gear means first gear means,- an actuator operatively connected to the pawl means operable by an occupant of the seat to disengage the pawl means from the first gear means.

2. The recliner mechanism of Claim 1 further comprising a second actuator operatively connected to a second pawl means, each connected pawl means and actuator located on an opposing side of said seat, whereby actuation of either actuator operates both pawl means.

3. The recliner mechanism of Claim 1 'further comprsin-- a seat belt shoulder harness attached to the reclining member.

4. The recliner mechanism of Claim 1 wherein the reclining member can be adjustably rotated in 2' increments.

5. The recliner mechanism of Claim 1 wherein the seat has a front portion and the actuator is located proximate said front portion of the seat.

6. The recliner mechanism of Claim 1 further comprising a second pawl means having at least one tooth engageable with the other first gear means to allow or prevent rotation of said first gear means and spindle, biased into engagement with said first gear means, and wherein the actuator is operably connected to both pawl means.

7. The recliner mechanism of Claim 6 wherein the seat has a front portion and the actuator is located proximate said front portion.