WO1999039934A1

WO1999039934A1 - A recliner mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO1999039934A1
Application number: PCT/SE1998/000486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lennart Haglund; Stig Lindblad
Original assignee: Autoliv Development Ab
Priority date: 1998-02-04
Filing date: 1998-03-18
Publication date: 1999-08-12
Also published as: GB2333951A; GB9802402D0

Abstract

A recliner mechanism for use with a vehicle seat has a first element (6) to be connected to the back of the vehicle seat, and a second element (12) to be connected to the back of the seat, the elements being pivotally (17) interconnected. Two locking elements (25) are provided, each of 'H' shape having arms which engage the outer faces of the elements (6, 12) adjacent apertures (9, 16) which are aligned. The inwardly directed faces (30) of the arms (27, 28) of the locking elements (25) exert a frictional effect on the elements (6, 12). A lever (19) is provided which can be actuated to bring the side walls of an aperture (23) into engagement with the locking elements (25) to move the locking elements to a release position.

Description

"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

mechamsm 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 2 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 mechamsm 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 mechamsm. 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 3 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 4 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 "H" 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. 5 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 closed or 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 slot. 6 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. 7

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 form. In a further alternative embodiment the selectively operable means

comprises an actuating element, the actuating element being movably mounted

in position and defining means presenting abutment faces adapted to be brought

into contact selectively with one of the locking elements to move said locking

element.

Preferably the actuating element comprises an element defining an

aperture, parts of the two locking elements being received within the aperture,

the actuating element being movable to bring either one side of the aperture

into engagement with one locking element, or the other side of the aperture into

engagement with the other locking element.

Advantageously the actuating element is provided with a passage

therethrough, the passage receiving a shaft, the shaft being a rotatable shaft,

and having means selectively to rotate the shaft, the shaft being provided with a 8 toothed wheel engaging a rack so that rotation of the shaft causes movement of

the shaft and a consequent movement of the element defining the aperture.

Conveniently the aperture in the element is an elongate aperture oriented

so that on rotation of the shaft, the shaft can move along the aperture before the

shaft engages the end of the aperture to cause movement of the element.

Conveniently the rack engaged by the toothed wheel is formed at the

periphery of the said component of plate form.

The invention also relates to a vehicle seat provided with at least one

recliner mechamsm 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, 10

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 mechamsm which is generally similar to that shown in Figure 9,

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged view illustrating some of the components of

the mechamsm 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,

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view taken on the line XVI-XVI of Figure 15,

and 11

FIGURE 17 is an exploded view of some of the components in an alternative embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 18 is an exploded view corresponding to Figure 17 illustrating a further alternative embodiment,

FIGURE 19 is a diagrammatic partial view of an alternative embodiment of the arrangement shown in Figure 17, and

FIGURE 20 is a view corresponding to Figure 19 showing the illustrated components in an alternate condition.

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 12 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 cross- 13 section 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. 14

Two substantially "H"-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 "U"-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 "H"-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. 15

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 16 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. 17

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 18 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 back¬

rest 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 mechamsms 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 19 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 extetvάs. 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

defines 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. 20

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 21 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 47 A 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 47 A, 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 22 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 1 1, 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 23 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 1 1, in which the

slots 67 are aligned with the friction plate 50. Thus the faces 68 of the re¬

entrant 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. 24 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 mechamsm.

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 25 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 26 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 27 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 counter¬

clockwise 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. 28

Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment which is similar to the embodiment of Figure 9. Like reference numerals are used for like parts which will not be re-described.

In the embodiment of Figure 17, the friction plate 50 is a two-piece arrangement, comprising a support plate 90 which has two outwardly extending arms 91,92 to which is secured an arcuate friction element 93 of plate-form. The outer periphery of the arcuate friction element 93, in the illustrated embodiment, is toothed, 94 to form a rack. Two locking elements 95,96 are provided, each of which defines a closed slot. The arcuate friction element 93 extends through the slots in the locking elements 95,96.

The locking elements 95,96 have portions 97,98 which extend through the apertures 54,55 formed in the housing plate 47A. The ends of the portions 97,98 of the locking elements 95,96 are provided with apertures corresponding to the apertures 69,70 as described with reference to Figure 11, and these apertures co-operate with the Bowden cable 49 in the manner described with reference to Figure 11.

Figure 18 shows an arrangement which is very similar to that illustrated in Figure 17, apart from the fact that instead of using a Bowden cable 49, a shaft 82, as described with reference to Figure 12 is utilised, together with an associated gear wheel cog 81 and release wheel 83. The shaft 82 and release wheel 83 will co-operate with the locking element 95,96 of the embodiment shown in Figure 18, in the same way that the shaft end release wheel cooperates with the locking element 65 and 66 as shown in Figures 13 and 14. 29

Figure 19 illustrates a further modification of the embodiments shown in Figures 17 and 18. As shown in Figure 19, the locking elements 95,96 each have a portion which extends through an aperture 100 formed in an actuating plate 101. The actuating plate is provided with a portion which defines an oval aperture 102. A shaft 103 is received within the oval aperture, one end of the shaft carrying a toothed wheel 104 which engages the rack 94 formed by the arcuate friction element 93. It will be appreciated that when the shaft 103 is turned in one direction, the toothed wheel 104 will move along the rack 94 in one direction until the shaft engages one end of the oval aperture 102, when the actuating element 101 will be moved in one direction, with one side wall of the aperture 100 formed in the actuating element engaging one of the locking elements 95,96, whereas if the shaft moves in the opposite rotational sense, the actuating element 101 will move in the opposite direction, so that the other locking member is engaged by the actuating element. Figure 20 shows the situation that exists if the shaft 103 is rotated in a clockwise sense (in the orientation illustrated), and it can be seen that the actuating element 101 has been brought into engagement with the locking element 95. The actuating element 101 will thus operate in a manner which is very similar to that of the actuating lever 19 described with reference to Figure 3. The aperture 100 effectively corresponds with the aperture 23 in the actuating lever 19. The actuating element 101 is not moved manually by an operating lever 21, but instead is moved by virtue of the rotating shaft 103. The shaft may be driven by an appropriate electric motor. Alternatively, the shaft 103 may be actuated by means of a manually graspable actuating knob.

It is to be understood that in the embodiment of Figures 19 to 20, the locking elements 95,96 will have the protruding portions which extend through the apertures 54,55 formed in the housing plate 47A, and resilient means will be associated with the locking elements, biasing the locking elements apart in a 30 diverging manner, generally equivalent to the resilient means illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

Claims

31CLAIMS:

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. 32

2. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein 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.

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 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. 33

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 an actuating element defining an aperture of 34 trapezoidal form, the actuating element being mounted for rotation so that

rotation of the lever in one sense causes movement of one locking element,

whereas movement of the actuating element 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 closed or 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 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 35 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 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. 36

16. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 13 wherein the selectively

operable means comprises an actuating element, the actuating element being

movably mounted in position and defining means presenting abutment faces

adapted to be brought into contact selectively with one of the locking elements

to move said locking element.

17. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 16 wherein the actuating

element comprises an element defining an aperture, parts of the two locking

elements being received within the aperture, the actuating element being

movable to bring either one side of the aperture into engagement with one

locking element, or the other side of the aperture into engagement with the

other locking element.

18. A recliner mechanism according to Claim 17 wherein the actuating

element is provided with a passage therethrough, the passage receiving a shaft,

the shaft being a rotatable shaft, and having means selectively to rotate the

shaft, the shaft being provided with a toothed wheel engaging a rack so that

rotation of the shaft causes movement of the shaft and a consequent movement

of the element defining the aperture. 37

19. A mechanism according to Claim 18 wherein the aperture in the element

is an elongate aperture oriented so that on rotation of the shaft, the shaft can

move along the aperture before the shaft engages the end of the aperture to

cause movement of the element.

20. A mechanism according to Claim 19 wherein the rack engaged by the

toothed wheel is formed at the periphery of the said component of plate form.