GB2333951A

GB2333951A - A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: GB2333951A
Application number: GB9802402A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lennart Haglund; Stig Lindblad
Original assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Current assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Priority date: 1998-02-04
Filing date: 1998-02-04
Publication date: 1999-08-11
Also published as: WO1999039934A1; GB9802402D0

Abstract

A recliner mechanism for use with a vehicle seat comprises a support plate 6 intended to be attached to the seat squab, the support plate being pivotally interconnected to a seat-back mounting plate 12. Two locking elements 25 are provided, each being of "H" shape having arms which engage the outer faces of the plates through aligned apertures 9,16. The inwardly directed faces 30 of the arms of the locking elements are spring biased and exert a frictional effect on the plates to prevent relative movement. A lever 19 is provided which can be actuated to bring a side wall of an aperture 23 into engagement with one of the locking elements 25 to move it to a release position, thus permitting adjustment of the seat back. The lever may instead be operated by a Bowden cable or the locking element may be released by a powered releasing wheel arrangement. In use, the mechanisms are employed in pairs, one for each side of the seat.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A RECLINER MECHANISM" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a recliner mechanism, and more particularly relates to a recliner mechanism suitable for use in a vehicle seat, such as a seat in a motor car.

It has been proposed previously to provide a recliner mechanism in a vehicle seat, the recliner mechanism serving as an inter-connection between the squab of the vehicle seat and the back of the vehicle seat. The recliner mechanism permits the angle of rake of the back of the seat to be selectively adjusted, to provide a comfortable position for the occupant of the seat.

Conventionally two identical recliner mechanisms are provided, with one being located at each side of the seat, and the present invention relates to a recliner mechanism for an arrangement of this general type.

Many types of recliner mechanism have been proposed previously. In a typical recliner mechanism, there is a fixed part of the mechanism, which is secured to the squab of the seat, and a further part of the mechanism, which is secured to the back of the seat. The further part can be moved relative to the fixed part. One of the parts of the recliner mechanism carries a toothed element, such as an element resembling a toothed gear wheel, and the other part of the recliner mechanism carries a pawl which has one or more teeth which can be brought into engagement with the toothed element carried by the first part of the recliner mechanism. When the pawl is engaged with the toothed element carried by the fixed part of the recliner mechanism, the second part of the recliner mechanism is locked into position.

One disadvantage of the prior proposed recliners is that if the teeth of the toothed element and the teeth on the pawl are not in alignment, it is difficult to effect engagement between the pawl and the toothed element. In such a situation the back of the seat must be moved further until the teeth of the pawl are aligned with the spaces between the teeth of the toothed element to enable engagement to be effected.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved recliner mechanism.

According to this invention there is provided a recliner mechanism for use with a vehicle seat, the recliner mechanism comprising a first component, or assembly, adapted to be connected to the squab of the vehicle seat, and a second component, or assembly, adapted to be connected to the back of the vehicle seat, the two elements or assemblies being pivotally connected together, at least one of the components defining or carrying a component of substantially plate form, the other component or assembly carrying two locking elements, each locking element having means defining a face adapted to be positioned parallel with, and spaced slightly from, one face of the said component of plate form, resilient means being provided to force the said locking elements to a position in which the said faces provided on the locking elements are brought into frictional engagement with the said face provided on said component of plate form, selectively operable means being provided to move at least one locking element to a position in which said face thereon is substantially parallel with the face of the component of plate form to permit movement of the component or assembly incorporating the component of plate form relative to the other component or assembly, thus permitting adjustment of the angle of rake of the back of the seat.

Preferably both of the components or assemblies define or carry a component of substantially plate form, the components of substantially plate form being located adjacent each other, the locking elements each having means defining a further face, which is adapted to be positioned parallel with, and spaced slightly from, one face of the other component of plate form, the resilient means being provided to bias the locking elements to a position in which said faces provided on the locking elements are brought into frictional engagement with the faces provided on both of the components of plate form.

Conveniently the locking elements, when the faces on the locking elements are in engagement with the faces on the components of plate form, bias the components of plate form together into frictional engagement.

Advantageously each locking element is of substantially "W' form, having a central web inter-connecting outwardly extending arms, each arm defining two faces, one on either side of the web, with the faces facing towards the corresponding faces on the other arm, said faces comprising the faces adapted to be brought into engagement with said components of plate form.

Conveniently one component of plate form is provided with an arcuate slot therein having a width slightly greater than the width of the web of each locking element, and the other component of plate form is provided with a substantially trapezoidal aperture adapted to receive the web of each locking element, the resilient means comprising means adapted to bias the locking elements apart.

Preferably the resilient means comprises a spring comprising two arms, each extending substantially parallel with and in engagement with the web of the locking element, the two arms being inter-connected by an arcuate portion.

Advantageously the said selectively operable means comprises means adapted to engage at least one locking element in the region of the arcuate slot, moving that part of the locking element against the spring bias to the said position in which the faces on the locking element are substantially parallel with the faces of the components of plate form.

Preferably the selectively operable means comprise a lever, the lever carrying a lug defining an aperture of trapezoidal form, the lever being mounted for rotation so that rotation of the lever in one sense causes movement of one locking element, whereas movement of the lever in the opposite sense causes movement of the other locking element.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention each locking element is provided with a re-entrant slot defining said face adapted to be positioned parallel with one face of said component of plate form, and also defining a second face, also adapted to be positioned parallel with, and spaced slightly from, another face of the component of plate form, the component of plate form being inserted within the re-entrant slot.

Preferably part of each locking element passes through an aperture which forms part of one of said components or assemblies, said resilient means biasing apart parts of the locking elements on one side of said apertures, to bias the locking elements to a position in which the faces provided on the locking elements are brought into frictional engagement with the faces provided on the component of plate form.

Advantageously the selectively operable means comprise means adapted to move both locking elements to a position in which said faces thereon are substantially parallel with the faces of the component of plate form.

In one version of this embodiment said selectively operable means comprise a manually operable lever co-operating with a Bowden cable engaging the portions of the locking elements which extend through said apertures.

In an alternative form of this embodiment the selectively operable means comprise an element adapted to engage one said locking element and to move one said locking element to a position in which the faces thereon are substantially parallel with the faces of the component of plate form.

Preferably the means adapted to engage the locking element comprise an engagement wheel carried by a shaft, the shaft being provided with a toothed wheel adapted to engage a toothed rack, the shaft being provided with means to rotate the shaft, to bring the engagement wheel into engagement with the locking element.

Conveniently the toothed rack forms a periphery of the component of plate fonn.

The invention also relates to a vehicle seat provided with at least one recliner mechanism of the type described above.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is an illustration of a vehicle seat, with part thereof broken away, illustrating a recliner mechanism in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the essential operative parts of the recliner mechanism shown in Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the components illustrated in Figure 2, FIGURE 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 2, with the operating lever removed, FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the support plate shown in Figure 4 illustrating the locking elements and spring, FIGURE 6 is an end perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 5, FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on the line VII-VII of Figure 4, FIGURE 8 is a view of a vehicle seat, with part thereof cut away, illustrating a second embodiment of a recliner mechanism in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 9 is an exploded view illustrating the components of the recliner mechanism illustrated in Figure 8, FIGURE 10 is a front perspective view of part of the recliner mechanism of Figures 8 and 9, FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken on the line XI-XI of Figure 10, FIGURE 12 is an exploded view of the components of an alternative recliner mechanism which is generally similar to that shown in Figure 9, FIGURE 13 is an enlarged view illustrating some of the components of the mechanism shown in Figure 12, FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken on the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13, FIGURE 15 is a view corresponding to Figure 14 illustrating the recliner mechanism in an alternate condition, and FIGURE 16 is a sectional view taken on the line XVI-XVI of Figure 15.

Referring initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a vehicle seat 1 comprises a squab 2, and a back-rest 3, with the back-rest 3 being provided with a head-rest 4.

The seat is provided with two recliner mechanisms 5, one being located adjacent each side of the seat. The recliner mechanisms 5 connect the squab of the seat and the back of the seat, to permit the angled rake of the back of the seat to be adjusted. The two recliner mechanisms are substantially identical and thus only one recliner mechanism will be described in detail.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the recliner mechanism 5 comprises a vertical support plate 6 which is connected to the squab 2 of the seat. The support plate 6 is provided with a plurality of apertures 7 adapted to receive bolts or the like to secure the support plate 6 to the squab of the seat.

The support plate 6 is provided with a circular aperture 8 adapted to receive a bush, as will be described hereinafter, and is also provided with a further aperture 9 comprising a trapezium-shaped region 10, with a notch or recess 11 being formed in the lower wall of the trapezium.

A seat-back mounting plate 12 is provided. The back mounting plate is provided with two spaced apart upwardly directed tongues 13, each being provided with a plurality of apertures 14 to receive securing bolts, the securing bolts being adapted to engage a frame provided within the back 3 of the seat.

The mounting plate 12 is also provided with a circular aperture 15 adapted to receive the bush, which will be described hereinafter, which is also received within the aperture 8. The mounting plate 12 also defines an arcuate aperture 16 of substantially uniform width having an arcuate extent of approximately 90".

A bush 17 is provided which passes through the aperture 15 in the mounting plate 12 and through the aperture 8 in the support plate 6, the bush 17 serving to connect the two plates together. The bush 17 also provides a pivot point for a transverse rod 18 (see Figure 2). The rod 18 is of a square crosssection and extends across the width of the back 3 of the seat to engage a corresponding recliner mechanism provided on the other side of the seat.

On the exposed end of the rod 18, an actuating lever 19 is mounted. The actuating lever 19 defines a central aperture 20 of square shape adapted to engage the end of the square cross-section rod 18 (see Figure 2). The lever is provided with a manually graspable extending lever arm 21. The actuating lever is also provided with a projecting lug 22 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod 18 and which defines a trapezium-shaped aperture 23 of a shape corresponding generally with the trapezium-shaped aperture 9 formed in the support plate 6, but of a slightly larger size. A small downwardly extending protrusion 24 is provided in the middle of the upper wall of the aperture 23.

When the actuating lever 19 is mounted on the rod 18, with the rod passing through the bush 17, with the bush 17 inter-connecting the support plate 6 and the mounting plate 12, the trapezium-shaped aperture 23, in the actuating lever 19, is substantially aligned with the trapezium-shaped aperture 9 in the support pate 6, with the arcuate aperture 16 in the mounting plate 12 being located between the two co-aligned trapezium-shaped apertures.

Two substantially "Hn'-shaped locking elements 25 are provided. Each of the locking elements comprises a relatively narrow transverse web 26 having a width of the arcuate aperture 16. At each end of the web 26 there are transversely extending arms 27,28 which extend beyond the width of the web 26. Each arm 27,28 therefore defines two faces 29,30 which extend transversely of the web 26 and which face towards the other arm.

The arm 28 of each locking element 25 is provided with a centrally located recess 31 which is aligned with the central axis of the web 26.

A substantially "Us'-shaped resilient spring 32 is provided having two slightly diverging arms 33,34, each with an outwardly directed terminal portion 35,36, the arms being inter-connected by an arcuate portion 37.

As can be seen most clearly from Figures 2 and 4, when assembling the illustrating components of the recliner mechanism, the two "Hn'-shaped locking elements 25 are initially located in position with the webs 26 of each locking plate passing through the arcuate aperture 16 formed in the engagement plate 12, and also passing through the trapezium-shaped aperture 9. The recess 11 which communicates with the trapezium-shaped aperture 9 facilitates the insertion of the arm 27 provided on each of the locking elements 25 through the aperture 9.

It can be seen, therefore, that when the locking elements 25 are thus positioned, the projecting ends of the arms 27,28 provided at each end of the web 26 of each locking element, embrace the adjacent parts of the support plate 6 and the mounting plate 12.

The spring 32 is located in position between the two locking elements 25, with the outwardly directed end portions 35,36 of the arms 33,34 engaging the recesses 31 provided in the arms 28, provided at the end of each locking element 25 which extends beyond the mounting plate 12.

The trapezium-shaped aperture 23 formed in the lug 22 on the actuating lever 19 is dimensioned, as can be seen in Figure 2, to accommodate the arms 28 provided on the locking elements 25.

For the sake of clarity of understanding, Figures 5 and 6 illustrates the spring 32 and the locking elements 25 when mounted on the support plate 6, and before the mounting plate 12 has been brought into engagement with the arms.

Figure 7 is a sectional view illustrating the ordinary position of the locking elements 25, and showing how the arms 27,28 are biased by the spring 32 (shown in phantom in Figure 7), in such a way that the arms 28 of the locking elements 25 are moved apart, thus bringing the flat faces 29,30 (only the faces 30 are visible in Figure 7) to a position in which they are inclined relative to the faces of the support plate 6 and mounting plate 12, thus forcing the faces 29,30 into contact with the outer surfaces of the support plate 6 and the mounting plate 12, consequently executing a frictional effect which serves to prevent movement of the engagement plate 12 relative to the support plate 6.

In addition to there being a frictional engagement where the arms 27,28 of the locking elements 25 actually touch the plates 6 and 12, the arms 27,28 will erect a face biasing the plates together so that there is a further frictional engagement between the engaging faces of the plates.

If, for example, the mounting plate 12 tends to move towards the left, as shown in Figure 7, the engagement of the surface 30 of the arm 28 of the locking element 25 on the left as shown will prevent the movement of the mounting plate 12 towards the left, and also the frictional engagement between the two plates 6 and 12 will tend to prevent this movement. Conversely, if the mounting plate 12 tends to move towards the right, as shown in Figure 7, the engagement of the surface 30 provided on the locking element 25 on the right as shown, and also the frictional engagement between the plates 6 and 12 will prevent the movement.

If the lever 21 is moved towards the right, as shown in Figure 3, one wall of the trapezoidal aperture 23 formed in the lug 22 will engage the arm 28 of the locking element 25, which is located towards the left in Figure 7. This will tend to move that locking element 25 to a position in which the faces 30 are substantially parallel with the outer faces of the plates 6 and 12, but spaced from them. Movement of the lever is limited by engagement of the protrusion 24 in the aperture 23 with the locking element 25 located towards the right in Figure 7. If there is then a tendency to move the mounting plate 12 in the leftward direction, as shown in Figure 7, the plate will be free to move to the left, and as the plate moves it will move with it the locking element 25 located towards the right in Figure 7 against the spring bias provided by the spring 32, so that the locking element 24 is also moved towards a condition in which the faces 30 provided on the arms 27,28 of the "H"-shaped plate, are parallel with the outer surfaces of the combination of the support plate 6 and the mounting plate 12, but being spaced from the outer surfaces of those plates, thus enabling movement of the mounting plate 12.

It will be appreciated, of course, that if the lever 21 is moved in the opposite sense, that is to say it is moved in the anti-clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 3, the opposite effect will be achieved, enabling the mounting plate 12, as shown in Figure 7, to be moved towards the right, as shown in Figure 7.

After movement of the mounting plate 12 has occurred relative to the support plate 6, placing the back 3 of the seat in the desired position, the lever 19 is released, and, under the influence of the spring 32, the lever will be returned to a position in which the locking elements 25 have the condition illustrated in Figure 7. Thus again, further movement of the mounting plate 12 is prevented.

It is to be understood that in the described embodiment of the invention, the mounting plate 12 may be locked, relative to the support plate 6, in any desired position, since it is not necessary to align any teeth on one element with gaps between teeth provided on another element.

Figure 8 to 11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 8 a vehicle seat 40 comprises a squab 41, and a backrest 42, which is associated with a head-rest 43. The seat is provided with two recliner mechanisms 44, one being provided on each side of the seat. The recliner mechanisms 44 connect the squab of the seat and the back of the seat, to permit the angle of rake of the back of the seat to be adjusted. The two recliner mechanisms are substantially identical, and thus only one recliner mechanism will be described in detail. The recliner mechanism 44 comprises a vertical support plate 45, provided with a plurality of apertures 46 to facilitate the mounting of the support plate on the squab 41. The recliner mechanism 44 further includes an assembly 47, the component parts which are illustrated more clearly in Figure 9, the assembly 47 being pivotally connected to the support plate 46 about a pivot axis P. The assembly 47 is connected to the back 42 of the seat 40.

Mounted upon the squab 41 of the seat is a lever 48, the lever 48 being connected to the core of the Bowden cable 49 which extends to the assembly 47.

Referring now to Figure 9, the assembly 47 comprises two housing plates 47A,47B which are located on either side of a friction plate 50, the friction plate 50 being securely connected, by means of bolts passing through apertures 51, to the support plate 46.

The first housing plate 47A is provided with a first planar region which defmes an aperture 52 that lies on the pivot axis of the recliner mechanism.

The housing plate 48 defines a trapezium-shaped recess 53, and, in the base of the recess, two spaced apart, slightly diverging rectangular apertures 54,55.

A terminal portion 56 of the housing plate 47A which lies adjacent part of the recess 53 is stepped outwardly, away from the planar region which defines the aperture 52. This outwardly stepped part is provided with a plurality of apertures 57 to enable the housing 47 to be connected to the back of the seat by bolts.

The second housing plate 47B is provided with a first planar region which defines an aperture 58 which lies on the axis of the recliner mechanism.

Spaced from the aperture 58, a generally trapezium-shaped aperture 59 is formed in the housing plate.

The second housing plate 47B also defines an outwardly stepped terminal portion 60, which lies adjacent part of the aperture 59, and which is set outwardly from the planar portion plate which defines the aperture 58. This outwardly stepped portion 60 is provided with apertures 61 to enable the housing 47 to be connected to the back of the seat by bolts.

Received between the two planar regions of the two housing plates 47A,47B is part of the friction plate 50. The friction plate 50 is also provided with an aperture 62 which is to lie on the axis of the recliner mechanism. The friction plate 50 has a portion with a generally arcuate outer periphery 63, located to be aligned with the trapezium-shaped recess 53 and the trapezium-shaped aperture 59. Thus, the arcuate periphery 63 of the friction plate lies in a zone between the outwardly stepped portions 56 and 60 of the housing plates 47A and 47B.

A bush 64 is provided adapted to be inserted through the aperture 58, in the housing plate 47B, the aperture 62 in the friction plate 50, and the aperture 52 in the housing plates 47A, to connect the elements together whilst permitting rotation of the housing plates 47A and 47B relative to the friction plate 50.

Mounted to embrace the arcuate portion 63 of the friction plate 50 are two locking elements 65,66. Each locking element defines a re-entrant slot 67, which receives the peripheral arcuate portion 63 of the friction plate 50. Each re-entrant slot 67 has a width which is slightly greater than the thickness of the friction plate 50 and has two facing inwardly directed faces 68.

As can be seen more clearly in Figure 11, each locking element 65,66 has a portion which extends through a respective rectangular aperture 54,55 formed in the trapezoidal recess 53 provided in the housing plate 47A. The apertures 54,55 form pivot axes about which the locking elements 65,66 may move with a pivotal movement. Apertures 69,70 are formed in the portions of the locking elements 65,66 which extend through the apertures 54,55. The sleeve 71 of the Bowden cable 49 engages one locking element 66 adjacent the aperture 70, and the core 72 of the Bowden cable passes through both of the apertures 69,70 and is provided with an enlarged nipple 73 at its terminal end which engages the locking element 65 adjacent the other aperture 69. A helical spring 73 surrounds the core of the Bowden cable 72 between the two locking elements 65,66, biasing the apertured regions of the locking elements 65,66 apart.

As can be understood most clearly from Figure 11, in an initial condition of the apparatus, the spring 73 biases apart the regions of the locking element 65,66 provided with the apertures 69,70 which causes the locking elements to assume a mutually inclined position, in which the planar faces 68 of the re-entrant slot 67 of each of the locking elements 65,66 are inclined to the adjacent faces of the friction plate 50 and are also brought into engagement with the faces of the friction plate 50, thus preventing movement of the housing plates 47A,47B relative to the friction plate 50 and consequently preventing movement of the back 42 of the seat relative to the squab 41 of the seat.

This is the condition shown in bold shading in Figure 11.

If, however, the lever 48 is actuated, retracting the core 72 of the Bowden cable 49 into the sleeve 71 of the Bowden cable, then the compression spring 73 will be compressed and the parts of the locking elements defining the apertures 70 and 69, will be drawn towards each other, thus moving the locking elements 65,66 to a position, shown in faint shading in Figure 11, in which the slots 67 are aligned with the friction plate 50. Thus the faces 68 of the reentrant slot 67 in each locking element 65,66 are aligned with the adjacent faces of the friction plate 50, and are slightly spaced therefrom. This enables the relative movement to be effected between the housing plates 47A,47B and the friction plate 50, and consequently permits adjustment of the back of the seat. When the back of the seat is in a desired position, the lever 48 may be released, thus returning the locking elements 65,66 to the solid line position shown in Figure 11, which will again prevent further movement of the back of the seat.

Although not shown in the drawings, the lever 48 is associated with two Bowden cables 49. One cable, as described, is connected to a recliner mechanism on the left side of the seat. The other Bowden cable extends to a recliner mechanism on the other side of the seat. Thus, by operating a single lever 48 the locking elements in both recliner mechanisms may simultaneously be moved from a locking condition to a release condition, to enable the angel of rake of the back of the seat to be adjusted easily.

It is to be appreciated that in this embodiment of the invention, the back of the seat may be adjusted to any desired position, without the position finally selected being dependent in any way upon the location of teeth within the recliner mechanism.

Referring now to Figures 12 to 16, a further modified embodiment of the invention will now be described.

A substantial proportion of the components of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 12 to 16 are identical with corresponding components of the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 8 to 12. Such components will not be re-described, but will be identified by the same reference numerals as used for the corresponding parts in the previously described embodiment.

It is to be appreciated that in the embodiment of Figures 12 to 16, the Bowden cable arrangement of the embodiment of Figures 8 to 11, provided for releasing the locking element to permit the back-rest to be adjusted, is replaced by a releasing wheel arrangement.

In the presently described embodiment, the outward part of the friction plate 50, that is to say the part of the friction plate 50 that defines the arcuate portion 63, is toothed 80, to form a rack. A toothed gear wheel 81 is provided adapted to engaged the toothed periphery 80 of the arcuate portion 63. The gear wheel 81 is mounted on a transverse shaft 82, adapted to extend across the width of the seat where the shaft 82 is connected to a corresponding recliner mechanism mounted on the other side of the seat.

Carried on the end of the shaft is a release wheel 83, the release wheel 83 being of a greater diameter than the gear wheel 81 and being aligned with the locking elements 65,66.

As can be seen most clearly in Figure 14, a keeper bar 84 is provided which extends through the apertures 69,70 in the parts of the locking elements 66,65 which extend through the apertures 54,55 provided in the trapezium-shaped recess 53. The keeper bar 84 is provided with enlarged ends which engage the locking elements adjacent the apertures 69,70. The helical spring 73 surrounds the keeper bar 84.

In the initial condition of the recliner mechanism, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the spring 73 is forcing the parts of the locking elements 65,66 which define the apertures 69,70 into engagement with the stops provided at the ends of the bar 84, and, in this condition of the apparatus, the re-entrant slots 67 formed in the locking elements 65,66 are inclined to the opposed faces of the friction plate 50. Consequently, the faces 68 defining the slots are brought into engagement with the opposed faces of the friction plate 50, thus preventing relative movement of the components of the recliner mechanism and holding the back of the seat firmly in position. The locking elements are thus in a locking position.

If the back of the seat is to be adjusted, an adjustment device (not shown) such as, for example, an electric motor, associated with the shaft 82 causes the shaft to rotate. The shaft may, for example, be driven rotationally in the clockwise direction as shown in Figures 12 and 15. The release wheel 83 will then come into contact with the locking element 66 and, as shown in Figure 16, will drive the end of the locking element 66, which is remote from the aperture 70, away from the locking element 65, thus bringing the locking element 66 to a release position in which the re-entrant slot 67 formed in the locking element is co-aligned with the opposed faces of the friction plate 50, the faces 68 of the slot then being located in parallelism with the opposed faces of the friction plate 50 being spaced slightly therefrom. It can be seen that during this movement the compression spring 73 is slightly compressed.

When the illustrated components are in this position, the housing plates 47A,47B may move, relative to the friction plate 50, in the direction indicated by the arrow 85 in Figure 16. As the housing plates 47A,47B move relative to the friction plate, the locking element 65 will tend to move against the bias of the spring 73, to a release position in which the re-entrant slot formed in the locking element 65 is aligned with the opposed faces of the friction plate 50.

If, while the components described are in the position illustrated in Figures 15 and 16 there is a force applied to the back of the seat that causes the back of the seat to move so that the housing 47 moves in the direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 85, the release wheel 83 will be moved away from the locking element 66 which will thus move, under the biasing face of the spring 73 to the initial locking position, thus preventing further movement of the housing 47 relative to the friction plate 50 in that direction.

It is to be appreciated that if the shaft 82 had been driven in the counterclockwise direction, as shown in the accompanying figures, movement of the housing plates 47A,47B in a direction opposed to that indicated by the arrow 85 would be permissible, since the drive wheel would have engaged the locking element 65 instead of engaging the locking element 66, and would have driven that locking element to a position in which the re-entrant slot formed in the locking element was located in alignment with the opposed faces of the friction plate 50. Initial movement of the housing plates 47A,47B would move the locking element 66 to the release position.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A recliner mechanism for use with a vehicle seat, the recliner mechanism comprising a first component, or assembly, adapted to be connected to the squab of the vehicle seat, and a second component, or assembly, adapted to be connected to the back of the vehicle seat, the two elements or assemblies being pivotally connected together, at least one of the components defining or carrying a component of substantially plate form, the other component or assembly carrying two locking elements, each locking element having means defining a face adapted to be positioned parallel with, and spaced slightly from, one face of the said component of plate form, resilient means being provided to force the said locking elements to a position in which the said faces provided on the locking elements are brought into frictional engagement with the said face provided on said component of plate form, selectively operable means being provided to move at least one locking element to a position in which said face thereon is substantially parallel with the face of the component of plate form to permit movement of the component or assembly incorporating the component of plate form relative to the other component or assembly, thus permitting adjustment of the angle of rake of the back of the seat.
2. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein both of the components or assemblies define or cany a component of substantially plate form, the components of substantially plate form being located adjacent each other, the locking elements each having means defming a further face, which is adapted to be positioned parallel with, and spaced slightly from, one face of the other component of plate form, the resilient means being provided to bias the locking elements to a position in which said faces provided on the locking elements are brought into frictional engagement with the faces provided on both of the components of plate form.
3. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 2 wherein the locking elements, when the faces on the locking elements are in engagement with the faces on the components of plate form, bias the components of plate form together into frictional engagement.
4. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein each locking element is of substantially "H,' form, having a central web interconnecting outwardly extending arms, each arm defining two faces, one on either side of the web, with the faces facing towards the corresponding faces on the other arm, said faces comprising the faces adapted to be brought into engagement with said components of plate form.
5. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 4 wherein one component of plate form is provided with an arcuate slot therein having a width slightly greater than the width of the web of each locking element, and the other component of plate form is provided with a substantially trapezoidal aperture adapted to receive the web of each locking element, the resilient means comprising means adapted to bias the locking elements apart.
6. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 5 wherein the resilient means comprises a spring comprising two arms, each extending substantially parallel with and in engagement with the web of the locking element, the two arms being inter-connected by an arcuate portion.
7. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 5 or 6 wherein the said selectively operable means comprises means adapted to engage at least one locking element in the region of the arcuate slot, moving that part of the locking element against the spring bias to the said position in which the faces on the locking element are substantially parallel with the faces of the components of plate form.
8. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 7 wherein the selectively operable means comprise a lever, the lever canying a lug defining an aperture of trapezoidal form, the lever being mounted for rotation so that rotation of the lever in one sense causes movement of one locking element, whereas movement of the lever in the opposite sense causes movement of the other locking element.
9. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein each locking element is provided with a re-entrant slot defining said face adapted to be positioned parallel with one face of said component of plate form, and also defining a second face, also adapted to be positioned parallel with, and spaced slightly from, another face of the component of plate form, the component of plate form being inserted within the re-entrant slot.
10. A mechanism according to Claim 9 wherein part of each locking element passes through an aperture which forms part of one of said components or assemblies, said resilient means biasing apart parts of the locking elements on one side of said apertures, to bias the locking elements to a position in which the faces provided on the locking elements are brought into frictional engagement with the faces provided on the component of plate form.
11. A mechanism according to Claim 10 wherein the selectively operable means comprise means adapted to move both locking elements to a position in which said faces thereon are substantially parallel with the faces of the component of plate form.
12. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 11 wherein said selectively operable means comprise a manually operable lever co-operating with a Bowden cable engaging the portions of the locking elements which extend through said apertures.
13. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the selectively operable means comprise an element adapted to engage one said locking element and to move one said locking element to a position in which the faces thereon are substantially parallel with the faces of the component of plate form.
14. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 13 wherein the means adapted to engage the locking element comprise an engagement wheel carried by a shaft, the shaft being provided with a toothed wheel adapted to engage a toothed rack, the shaft being provided with means to rotate the shaft, to bring the engagement wheel into engagement with the locking element.
15. A mechanism according to Claim 14 wherein the toothed rack forms a periphery of the component of plate form.
16. A recliner mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A recliner mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.
18. A recliner mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 12 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.
19. A vehicle seat provided with at least one recliner mechanism according to any one of the preceding Claims.
20. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.