WO2011123091A1

WO2011123091A1 - Seat track assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2011123091A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/029027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kambiz H.Z. Eslam; Klaus Boes
Original assignee: Lear Corporation
Priority date: 2010-03-29
Filing date: 2010-03-29
Publication date: 2011-10-06

Abstract

A vehicle seat track assembly includes a first track having first and second spaced apart walls. Each of the first and second walls includes a plurality of openings formed therein. A second track is slidably mounted relative to the first track. The second track includes a pair of spaced apart side walls defining an interior therebetween. A locking mechanism is mounted on the second track. The locking mechanism includes a first actuator carried by the second track and at least in part disposed within the interior. A first pin is slidably mounted relative to the second track and is movable by the first actuator from an engaged position such that the first pin extends through one of the plurality of openings formed in the first wall of the first track to a disengaged position such that the first pin is retracted from the one of the plurality of openings formed in the first wall of the first track. A second actuator is carried by the second track and at least in part disposed within the interior. A second pin is slidably mounted relative to the second track and is movable by the second actuator from an engaged position such that the second pin extends through one of the plurality of openings formed in the second wall of the first track to a disengaged position such that the second pin is retracted from the one of the plurality of openings formed in the second wall of the first track. A release handle is pivotally attached to the second track. The release handle has a manually operated grasping portion and a lever arm. The lever arm is disposed within the interior of the second track and engaged with the first and second actuators. Pivoting movement of the release handle enables the first and second actuators to move the first and second pins into their disengaged positions.

Description

TITLE

SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates hi general to vehicle seats and, in particular, to seat hack mechanisms. Vehicles commonly include seats that are movably mounted on a vehicle floor to provide an adjustable position of the seat relative to the vehicle floor in a fore and aft direction. For example, the occupant of the driver's seat may want to adjust his or her position relative to the steering wheel and brake and accelerator pedals. The vehicle seat may be mounted on tracks for slidably moving the seat in the fore and aft direction along the vehicle floor. Commonly, a pair of track assemblies is mounted on the underside of the seat between the vehicle floor and the seat bottom. One hack assembly is generally mounted on the inboard side of the seat, and the other track assembly is generally mounted on the outboard side of the seat. A typical track assembly includes a lower track bolted to the vehicle floor. An upper hack is moimted on the seat. The upper hack is slidably mounted on the lower track. Ball or roller bearings are commonly provided between portions of the tracks for ease of moving the upper hack relative to the lower hack.

[0002] The hack assemblies include a locking assembly which prevents the tracks from moving relative to one another during normal usage of the seat. When the user wants to move the seat position, the user actuates the locking assembly to an unlatched position, thereby pennitting the seat to be moved to a desired position. After the seat is in its desired position, the user then actuates the locking assembly to its latched position, thereby preventing the seat from moving relative to the floor. U.S. Patent Nos. 6,874,747 and 7,191,995 illustrate examples of known hack assemblies which use an actuating mechanism mounted on the outside of the hacks for moving engagement pins into and out of openings formed h the hacks to provide for locked and unlocked conditions. Such hack assemblies may require clearance and spacing adjacent the actuating mechanism to prevent obstruction of the operation of the track assembly. U.S. Patent No. 6,637,712 illustrates an example of a known track mechanism that uses pins slidably mounted in a vertical orientation wherein the pins extend underneath the tracks when in their locked position. Such a track assemblies may require clearance from the vehicle floor to operate and is susceptible to obstruction hindering the operation of the track assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a vehicle seat and, in particular, to a seat track assembly for selectively moving the seat in a fore and aft direction relative to a vehicle floor. The vehicle seat track assembly includes a first track having first and second spaced apart walls. Each of the first and second walls includes a plurality of openings formed therein. A second track is slidably mounted relative to the first track. The second track includes a pair of spaced apart side walls defining an interior therebetween. A locking mechanism is mounted on the second track. The locking mechanism includes a first actuator carried by the second track and at least in part disposed within the interior. A first pin is slidably mounted relative to the second track and is movable by the first actuator from an engaged position such that the first pin extends through one of the plurality of openings formed in the first wall of the first track to a disengaged position such that the first pin is retracted from the one of the plurality of openings formed in the first wall of the first track. A second actuator is carried by the second track and at least in part disposed within the interior. A second pin is slidably mounted relative to the second track and is movable by the second actuator from an engaged position such that the second phi extends through one of the plurality of openings formed in the second wall of the first track to a disengaged position such that the second pin is retracted from the one of the plurality of openings formed in the second wall of the first track. A release handle is pivotally attached to the second track. The release handle has a manually operated grasping portion and a lever arm. The lever arm is disposed within the interior of the second track and engaged with the first and second actuators. Pivoting movement of the release handle enables the first and second actuators to move the first and second pins into their disengaged positions.

[0004] Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat including a seat track mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

[0006] Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view from the rear of the seat track assemblies of the seat track mechanism of Fig. 1.

[0007] Fig. 3 is a further enlarged perspective view of a portion of the seat track assembly of Fig. 2 illustrating the actuator assembly in its latched position.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the actuator assembly in its unlatched position.

[0009] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the seat track assembly taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 2, wherein the actuator assembly is illustrated in its latched position.

[0010] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 5, wherein the actuator assembly is illustrated in its unlatched position.

[0011] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an actuator of the seat track assembly of Fig. 2.

[0012] Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the seat track assembly illustrating the spacing of the pins relative to the openings of the seat tracks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in Fig. 1 a vehicle seat, indicated generally at 10, including a seat track mounting assembly, indicated generally at 12. The vehicle seat 10 can be any conventional seat design and may include a seat back 14 and a seat bottom 16. The seat back 14 may be pivotally mounted on the seat bottom 16 via a recliner mechanism 17 such that the seat back 14 can be positioned at selected recline angles relative to the seat bottom 16. The seat track mounting assembly 12 is attached to an underside of the seat bottom 16 and is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle floor 18.

[0014] The seat track mounting assembly 12 generally includes a pair of seat track assemblies, each indicated generally at 20, and a single release handle 22, commonly referred to in the industry as a towel bar. The seat track assemblies 20 are mounted on each side of the vehicle seat 10, as shown in Fig. 1. The seat track assemblies 20 permit selective sliding movement of the vehicle seat 10 relative to the floor 18 in a longitudinal direction. More specifically, the vehicle seat 10 may travel in a forward or fore direction 26a and a rear or aft direction 26b. As will be discussed below, the seat track mechanism 12 can be operated via the release handle 22 between a locked position, wherein the seat 10 is prevented from moving relative to the floor 18, and an unlocked position, wherein the seat 10 is permitted to be moved in the fore and aft directions 26a and 26b relative to the vehicle floor 18.

[0015] As illustrated in Fig. 2, one of the seat track assemblies 20 includes a lower track 30 and an upper track 32. The lower and upper tracks 30 and 32 are slidably mounted on one another. The tracks 30 and 32 are generally elongated in shape and are arranged such they extend along the fore and aft directions 26a and 26b. The lower track 30 is adapted to be attached to the vehicle floor 18, such as by a bolt or other fastener. The upper track 32 is attached to the seat bottom 16, such as on its underside. As will be discussed below, the lower and upper tracks 30 and 32 are configured to accept bearings disposed between them for supporting the tracks 30 and 32 together. The bearings also provide for a relatively low friction sliding motion between the tracks 30 and 32. The lower track 30 has a generally U-shaped cross section. The upper track 32 has an inverted generally U-shaped cross section. When connected together, an interior space or cavity 34 is defined between the tracks 30 and 32. The tracks 30 and 32 may be made of any suitable material, such as metal, and may be formed by any suitable manner, such as by stamping. The lower track 30 includes a plurality of openings 36 formed therein, the reason for which will be explained in detail below. The plurality of openings 36 are spaced from one another and positioned along the length of the lower track 30.

[0016] At least one of the seat track assemblies 20 includes an actuator assembly, indicated generally at 40, for locking and unlocking the seat track mounting assembly 12. Note that the actuator assembly 40 is schematically shown in Fig. 2 by broken lines 40. The seat track mounting assembly 12 may have an actuator assembly 40 for each seat track assembly 20 or may have a single actuator assembly 40 for only one of the two seat track assemblies. For simplicity, only one of the seat track assemblies 20 will described with respect to Figs. 2-8, but it should be understood that the other seat tack assembly 20 may also be configured in a similar manner. The actuator assembly 40 is connected to the release handle 22 and is operable by pivoting movement of the release handle 22. The release handle 22 is generally U-shaped defining a grasping portion 42 and a pair of leg portions 44 which extend from ends of the grasping portion 42. As shown in Fig. 2, the end of the leg portion 44 is disposed in the cavity 34 defined by the tacks 30 and 32. The leg portion 44 is pivotally mounted on the upper track 32 via a bracket 46. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the bracket 46 includes an upwardly extending mounting stud 47 for attachment to the upper track 32. Of course, the bracket 46 could be mounted on the upper track 32 by other suitable methods, such as by welding or adhesive. Note that for clarity of viewing the structure and function of the actuator assembly 40, the hacks 30 and 32 are not shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The bracket 46 includes a pair of downwardly extending flanges 48. The leg portion 44 of the release handle 22 is positioned between the flanges 48. A pivot pin 50 extends through the leg portion 44 between the flanges 48 to provide the pivoting connection of the release handle 22 to the upper track 32. The bracket 46 further includes a rearwardly extending tab 52 for mounting an optional spring member 54 that biases the grasping portion 42 in a downward direction. The spring member 54 may be made of an elastomeric material or can be configured as any other spring-type of mechanism. The free end of the leg portion 44 defines a lever arm 56 that is engaged with the actuator assembly 40. At the end of the lever arm 56 is a laterally extending cam member 58, the reason for which will be explained below. The cam member 58 is in the shape of a cylindrical bar that extends in a direction that is normal to the lever arm 56. The end of the lever arm 56 may be crimped as shown for ease of attachment of the cam member 58. The cam member 58 can be attached to the lever arm 56 by any suitable attachment, such as be welding, adhesive, or mechanical fastener. The release handle 22 may be formed from a length of metal tubing formed into the shape illustrated in Figs. 1 through 4.

[0017] As best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the lower track 30 has a generally U-shaped cross-section and is generally symmetrical about a vertical plane. The lower track 30 includes a planar base plate 60 and a pair of side walls 62 extending upwardly from lateral edges of the base plate 60. The base plate 60 can be mounted on the vehicle floor 18 by any suitable manner, such as by mounting bolts (not shown). Each of the side walls 62 include a flange 64 extending inwardly from the upper edge of the side wall 62. Each flange 64 includes a first curved portion 66 that defines a race for ball bearings 68. Each side wall 62 also includes a second curved portion 70 that defines a race for ball bearings 72. The side walls 62 have the plurality of openings 36 formed therein. The side walls 62 may have a relatively large number of openings 36, permitting numerous positions of the seat 10 relative to the vehicle floor 18 when locked, as will be explained below.

[0018] The upper track 32 includes a planar top plate 74 and a pair of side walls 76 extending downward from lateral edges of the top plate 74. Each of the side walls 76 includes a flange 78 which has curved portions 80 and 82 defining races for the ball bearings 68 and 72. The lower and upper tracks 30 and 32 may also include hook portions 84 and 86, respectively, which engage one another in the event of a high impact load to help prevent the tracks 30 and 32 from separating from one another. The hook portions 84 of the lower track 30 may be formed from a bent portion of the side wall 62 when the openings 36 are formed. For example, a plurality of generally inverted U-shaped slots or cuts may be formed in the side walls 36 and then deflected inwardly and downwardly to form the hook portions 84. The exposed portions of the side wall 62 forms the openings 36. Each of the side walls 76 of the upper track 32 includes a plurality of openings 88 formed therein and spaced from one another along a portion of the length of the side wall 76, the reason for which will be described below. The base plate 60 of the lower track 30 and the top plate 74 and side walls 76 of the upper track 32 generally define the interior or cavity 34 of the seat track assembly 20.

[0019] Referring back to Figs. 3 and 4, the actuator assembly 40 generally includes a housing 90, first and second actuators 92 and 94, and first and second pluralities of pins 96 and 98 (only one is illustrated in Fig. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second pluralities of pins 96 and 98 includes three pins. Of course, any number of pins 96 and 98, including a single pin, can be used in the actuator assembly 40. As will be discussed below in more detail, the first and second actuators 92 and 92 are pivotally mounted on the housing 90 and are operable via the release handle 22 to move the pluralities of pins 96 and 98, respectively, in and out of the openings 36 of the lower track 30 for placing the actuator assembly 40 in either a latched or an unlatched position.

[0020] hi the illustrated embodiment, the housing 90 is disposed completely within the cavity 34 of the track assembly 20 between the lower and upper tracks 30 and 32. An advantage of this configuration is that it occupies a smaller volume of space than a conventional actuator assembly that is located outside of the cavity 34. The housing 90 can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. The housing 90 may be made as a single integral piece as shown, or can be made from separate components attached together. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the housing 90 includes a generally rectangular planar base 100 having a pair of attachment arms 104 extending upwardly from each side thereof. The arms 104 have respective tabs or hook portions 106 extending in a lateral direction. The term lateral direction as used herein refers to a direction that is generally normal to the fore and aft directions 26a and 26b and oriented generally along a horizontal plane. The lateral direction is also normal relative to the length of the tracks 30 and 32. The arms 104 are resiliency deflectable for attaching the housing 90 to the upper track 32. To install the housing 90, the housing 90 is slid along the side walls 76 of the upper track 32 until the hook portions 106 are inserted or snapped- fit into mating slots formed in the side walls 76 of the upper track.

[0021] The housing 90 also includes first and second side walls 110 and 112 extending along the lateral sides of the housing 90 between respective arms 104. Each of the side walls 110 and 112 includes holes 114 formed therein for receiving the plurality of pins 96 and 98. Thus, the plurality of pins 96 and 98 are slidably disposed within the holes 114 and may move independently from one another. The profile of the holes 114 may be configured to match the outer profiles of the pins 96 and 98. For example, the pins 96 and 98 and the holes 114 may all be cylindrical in shape.

[0022] The housing 90 also includes first, second, and third mounting panels 116, 118, and 120. The mounting panels 116, 118, and 120 may have any suitable shape for receiving and supporting the first and second actuators 92 and 94. The mounting panels 116, 118, and 120 may be connected to the base 100 and/or the side walls 110 and 112 by any suitable manner. For example, the mounting panels 116, 118, and 120 may be attached to the base 100 by posts or walls extending upwardly between the base 100 and the panels 116, 118, and 120. The first mounting panel 116 includes a pivot hole 122. The second mounting panel 118 includes pivot holes 124 and 126 (shown only in Fig. 4). The third mounting panel 120 includes a pivot hole 128.

[0023] The first and second actuators 92 and 94 may be configured as identical parts that are mounted on the housing 90 in reverse orientations. Only the actuator 92 will be described in detail with respect to Fig. 7, but it should be understood that the other actuator 94 may be configured in the same manner. As such, the. common features of each actuator 92 and 94 will use common reference numbers. As best shown in Fig. 7, the actuator 92 includes a rectangular upper plate 130. First arid second flanges 132 extend downwardly from comers of one side of the upper plate 130. Each of the flanges 132 includes an outwardly extending pivot post 134. The pivot posts 134 are inserted into the respective pivot holes 122 and 124 of the mounting panels 116 and 118 for pivotally mounting the actuator 92 on the housing 90. Similarly, the posts 134 of the other actuator 94 are inserted into the pivot holes 126 and 128 of the second and third mounting panels 118 and 120, respectively. The axes of rotation of the actuators 92 and 94 are parallel with the fore and aft directions 26a and 26b.

[0024] Referring to Fig. 7, the actuator 92 further includes an actuating arm 136 extending downwardly from the upper plate 130. The actuating arm 136 is generally elongated and extends along the length of the tracks 30 and 32 when installed on the housing 90. The actuating arm 136 has a plurality of slots 138 formed therein. As shown in Fig. 7, the actuating arm 136 includes three slots 138 corresponding to the three pins 96 mounted on the side wall 110 of the housing 90. As will be discussed below, the pins 96 are disposed in the slots 138 and are moved by the actuator 92 when it is pivoted about its pivot axis. The ends of the actuating arm 136 include respective shelves 140 and 141, the reason for which will be explained below. The actuators 92 and 94 may be made of any suitable material, such as a steel, and may be manufactured by any suitable manner such as by stamping and forming a plate or blank into the desired shape.

[0025] As discussed above, the plurality of pins 96 and 98 are slidably disposed in the holes 114 of the side walls 110 and 112. The pins 96 and 98 may be configured as identical parts. Thus, the common features of each pin 96 and 98 will use common reference numbers. As best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, each of the pins 96 and 98 has a generally cylindrical body 140 and an enlarged head portion 142 defining a shoulder therebetween. The head portion 142 may be cylindrical in shape. The free end of the cylindrical body 140 may include a tapered portion 143, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. It should be understood that the pins 96 and 98 need not have a cylindrical shape but may have an oval, rectangular, or any other suitable profile permitting the pins 96 and 98 to be slidably mounted in the housing 90. The actuator assembly 40 also preferably includes one or more springs 146 which bias the pins 96 and 98 in a lateral direction towards the side walls 62 of the lower track 30. In the illustrated

embodiment of the actuator assembly 40 shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a single spring 146 is used between laterally adjacent pins 96 and 98 such that the ends of the spring 146 engage the head portions 142 of each pin 96 and 98. The head portions 142 may have features formed therein to help seat the springs 146 to the pins 96 and 98. The spring 146 can be a tapered coil spring such that the coils will collapse within one another as the spring .146 is compressed. This tapered coil spring design provides for a suitably reduced length of the spring 146 when compressed to a relatively small length between the retracted pins 96 and 98, as shown in Fig. 6. Alternatively, the spring 146 can be any suitable spring element design that biases the pins 96 and 98 towards the side walls 62 of the lower track 30.

[0026] The operation of the seat track mounting assembly 12 will now be described. When the seat 12 is locked relative to the vehicle floor, the actuator assembly 40 is in its latched position, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5. h this position, one or more of the pins 96 and 98 extend through the openings 36 of the side wall 62 of the lower track 30. One or more of the pins 96 and 98 engages an edge of the openings 36, thereby providing an interference locked condition. Since the pins 96 and 98 are mounted on the housing 100 of the actuator assembly 40 which, in turn, is mounted on the upper track 32, the upper track 32 is prevented from sliding along the lower track 30.

[0027] When a user wants to reposition the seat 10 relative to the vehicle floor 18, the user will lift up on the grasping portion 42 of the release handle 22. This movement acts against the bias of the spring member 54. Upward movement of the grasping portion 42 causes the release handle 22 to pivot about the pivot pin 50, which is fixed relative to the upper track 32. The lever arm 56 of the release handle 22 and the cam 58 will move downwardly, as shown in Fig. 4. Downward movement of the cam 58 causes the ends of the cam 58 to push downwardly against the shelf 141 of the actuator 92, and also push against the shelf 140 of the actuator 94. Thus, each actuator 92 and 94 will pivot along its own axis, as shown in Fig. 4. The pivoting of the actuators 92 and 94 causes their actuating arms 136 to move inwardly toward the cavity 34 and away from the side wall 62 of the lower track 30. This movement of the actuating arms 136 pushes the pins 96 and 98 in a direction toward one another and out of the openings 36 of the side wall 62 of the lower track 30. Note that the actuating arms 136 act against the head portion 142 of the pins 96 and 98, and the body 140 of the pins 96 and 98 are free to move within the slots 138 of the actuating member 92. The spring 146 that is located between laterally aligned adjacent pins 96 and 98 will be compressed as the pins 96 and 98 are moved closer together. Once the pins 96 and 98 have sufficiently cleared the opening 36, the actuator assembly 40 is in its unlatched position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and the upper track 32 is free to slide along the length of the lower track 30. Because the upper track 32 is connected to the seat 10, the seat 10 will move along with the upper track 32.

[0028] Once the actuator assembly 40 is in its unlatched position, the user can slide the seat 10 to a desired position and release the grasping portion 42 of the release handle 22, causing the actuator assembly 40 to move to its latched position in reverse order as described above. The pins 96 and 98 will move outwardly towards the openings 36 formed along the length of the lower track 30 due to the bias of the springs 146. Once one or more of the pins 96 and 98 are positioned through the openings 36 of the lower track 30, the actuator assembly 40 is in its latched position, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5.

[0029] The spacing and size of the openmgs 36 formed in the side walls 62 of the lower track 30 may be configured in a similar spacing and sizing as the body 140 of the pins 96 and 98 such that all six pins 96 and 98 will extend through, respective openings 36. Thus, the seat 10 can be moved and locked in spatial increments corresponding to the distance between the axes of the pins, which also corresponds with the distance between the axes of the openings 36. However, the seat track mounting assembly 12 may also be configured to permit more locked increments along the length of the lower track 30 by altermg the spacing and size of the openings formed in the side walls 62 of the lower track 30. For example, there is illustrated in Fig. 8 a simplified schematic plan view of a cross-section taken along the seat tracks 30a and 32a illustrating a configuration of the size and spacing of openings 36a. In this embodiment, not all of the pins 96 and 98 extend through the openings 36a even though the seat track mounting assembly 12 is in a locked condition. The actuator assembly 40, as described with respect to Figs. 1 through 7, may be used to move the pins 96 and 98. [0030] As shown in Fig. 8, the pins 96 and 98 have a diameter D. Since the illustrated embodiments of the pins 96a and 98a are cylindrical, the height of the pins is equal to the width of the pins 96 and 98 extending along the fore and aft directions 26a and 26b. For the purposes of describing the dimensional relationship of the pins 96 and 98 relative to the openings 36a, the diameter D will be used to describe the width of the pins 96 and 98 extending along the fore and aft directions 26a and 26b. However, it should be understood that the pins 96 and 98 need not be cylindrical and can have a width which is different from their height. For example, the pins may have a rectangular cross-section wherein their width is different from their height. Note that the pins 96 associated with one side wall 62 have been renumbered as first, second, and third pins 96a, 96b, and 96c, respectively, for reasons discussed below. Similarly, the pins 98 associated with the other side wall 62 have been renumbered as first, second, and third pins 98a, 98b, and 98c, respectively. The pins 96a, 96b, and 96b will be collectively referred to as pins 96. The pins 98a, 98b, and 98c will be collectively referred to as pins 98.

[0031] The openings 88 formed in the side walls 76 of the upper track 32 have a width A. The width A may be equal to or, preferably, slightly greater than the diameter D of the pins 96 and 98 so that the pins 96 and 98 may slide freely through the openings 88 while still being supported relative to the fore and aft direction therein. Note that each of the side walls 76 may only require a number of openings 88 formed therein that correspond to the number of pins 96 and 98. The pins 96 and 98 are spaced from one another by an incremental pitch or spacing B. Spacing B is represented as the dimension between the pins 96 and 98 "on center". The openings 88 of the side walls 76 are also spaced from one another by the incremental pitch or spacing B. The openings 36 of . the lower track 30 have a width W which is greater than the width A of the openings 88 of the upper track 32. The slots 36 may be elongated such the width W is greater than a height (extending in a generally vertical direction) which may be the same dimension or slightly greater than the diameter D of the pins 96 and 98. The openings 36 are spaced from one another by an incremental pitch or spacing C. Solid wall portions 150 between the openings 36 has a dimensional width G, wherein G + W = C. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the width W of the opening 36 of the lower track 30 is approximately equal to twice the diameter D (W = 2D). Note that the dimensional relationships and the equations expressed herein are approximations of the dimensions of a commercially produced design. Minor differences in the dimensional relationships may be caused by manufacturing tolerances. Additionally, a slight increase in the width of the slots may be intentionally made to compensate for manufacturing tolerances so that the pins 96 and 98 may freely slide within a corresponding slot. Thus, the slots may be manufactured slightly greater compared to the desired diameter of the pins 96 and 98. The slots 36 of the side walls 62 may be laterally aligned, or may be offset from one another in a lateral direction, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0032] For the configuration shown in Fig. 8, the incremental locking spacing of the seat 10 relative to the vehicle floor 18 can be reduced to a dimension

approximately equal to the diameter D of the pins 96 and 98, or expressed in another way equal to the width G of the solid wall area between the slots, hi this

configuration, two of the three pins 96 will be fully inserted tlirough corresponding slots 36 of one wall 62, and two of the three pins 98 will be fully inserted through corresponding slots 36 of the other wall 62. As shown in Fig. 8, at each side wall 62 there is a first pin 96a, 98a that is blocked by a solid portion 150, a second pin 96b, 98b that is adjacent one side of a solid portion 150, and a third pin 96c, 98c which is adjacent the other side of the solid portion 150. The upper track 32 is prevented from moving in the fore direction 26a by the second pins 96b, 98b. The upper track 32 is prevented from moving in the aft direction 26b by the third pins 96c, 98c. Note that another possible locked configuration (not shown in Fig. 8) has the middle pin blocked by the solid portion 150 and the outer pins positioned tlirough respective slots 36. In these locked configurations, two of the pins will be blocked by the solid portion 150, two of the pins would absorb the load from a force acting in the fore direction, and two pins would absorb the load from a force acting in the aft direction. The slots 36 of the side walls 62 may be laterally aligned, or may be offset from one another in a lateral direction, as shown in Fig. 8. [0033] As stated above, the pins 96 and 98 may include a body 140 with a tapered portion 143 on the free end thereof. The tapered portion 143 is disposed in the openings 36 when in a locked condition. This configuration of the pins 96 and 98 may assist in eliminating or reducing the free play or slight movement of the upper track relative to the lower track 30 during the locked conditions. The, tapered portion 143 of at least one of the pins extending through the openings 36 could partially engage one of the openings 36 such that the tapered portion 143 contacts the edge of the solid portion 150 but not fully inserted into the opening 36. The pin on the other side of the solid portion 150 would contact the opposite edge of the solid portion 150 such that the solid portion 150 is tightly sandwiched or disposed between the pins.

[0034] The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be imderstood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle seat track assembly comprising:

a first track having first and second spaced apart walls, wherein each of said first and second walls includes a plurality of openings formed therein;

a second track slidably mounted relative to said first track, said second track including a pair of spaced apart side walls defining an interior therebetween; and a locking mechanism mounted on said second track, said locking mechanism including:

a first actuator carried by said second track and at least in part disposed within said interior;

a first pin slidably mounted relative to said second track and movable by said first actuator from an engaged position such that the first pin extends through one of the plurality of openings formed in said first wall of said first track to a disengaged position such that the first pin is retracted from said one of the plurality of openings formed in said first wall of said first track;

a second actuator carried by said second track and at least in part disposed within said interior;

a second pin slidably mounted relative to said second track and movable by said second actuator from an engaged position such that said second pin extends through one of the plurality of openings formed in said second wall of said first track to a disengaged position such that said second pin is retracted from said one of the plurality of openings formed in said second wall of said first track; and

a release handle pivotally attached to said second track, said release handle having a manually operated grasping portion and a lever arm, wherein said lever arm is disposed within said interior of said second track and engaged with said first and second actuators, wherein pivoting movement of the release handle enables said first and second actuators to move said first and second pins into their disengaged positions.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second actuators are pivotally mounted relative to said second tack.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second pins are disposed within said interior of said second track when said first and second pins are in their disengaged positions.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said second track includes a plate having opposed lateral edges from which said first and second walls extend, and wherein said plate and said side walls define said interior of said second tack.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first pin is biased in a direction towards said first wall of said first track into said engaged position, and wherein said second pin is biased in a direction towards said second wall of said first track into said engaged position, and wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a single spring biases said first pin and second pins.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first track is adapted to be mounted on a horizontally extending floor of a vehicle, and wherein said first and second pins are slidably mounted relative to said second track along horizontally extending axes.

8. The assembly of claim 1 including:

a plurality of first pins slidably mounted relative to said second track and movable by said first actuator from engaged positions such that at least one of said plurality of first pins extends through one of the plurality of openings formed in said first wall of said first track to a disengaged position such that all of said plurality of first pins are retracted from said plurality of openings formed in said first wall of said first track; and a plurality of second pins slidably mounted relative to said second track and movable by said second actuator from an engaged position such that at least one of said plurality of second pins extends tlirough hone of the plurality of openings formed in said second wall of said first rack to a disengaged position such that all of said plurality of second pins are retracted from said plurality of openings formed in said second wall of said first track

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein each of said first and second plurality of pins includes first, second and third pins such that said first pins of said first and second plurality of pins are coaxially aligned, said second pins of said first and second plurality of pins are coaxially aligned, and said third pins of said first and second plurality of pins are co-axially aligned.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said plurality of first pins are biased in a direction towards said first wall of said first track into said engaged positions, and wherein said plurality of second pins are biased in a direction towards said second wall of said first track into said engaged positions.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein a first spring biases both said first pins of said first and second plurality of pins.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein a second spring biases both said second pins of said first and second plurality of pins, and wherein a third spring biases both said third pins of said first and second plurality of pins.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second pins are

independently movable relative to one another.

14. The assembly of claim 1, further including a housing disposed within said interior of said second track, wherein said first and second actuators are pivotally mounted on said housing.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said first and second pins are slidably mounted on said housing.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherem said second track includes a plate having opposed lateral edges from which said first and second walls extend, and wherein said plate and said side walls define said interior of said second track, and wherein said lever arm is pivoted at a pivot point located within said interior of said second track.

17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein first and second pins have a width extending along a longitudinal axis defined by the movement of the seat tracks relative to one another, and wherein said slots of said first track have a width which is about twice the width of said first and second pins.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the first track has a plurality of solid wall portions defined between adjacent slots of said first track, and wherein said solid wall portions have a width extending along the longitudinal axis which is about the width of said pins.