Bearings – Linear bearing – Roller bearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-03-13
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Bearings
Linear bearing
Roller bearing
C384S047000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200032
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an improved seat suspension assembly using a roller assembly and a channel or guide as part of the suspension system. Typically, seat suspensions use roller assemblies attached to shafts and that are adapted to travel in metal channels or guides having opposing guide surfaces on which the rollers cycle back and forth. In addition, the guides often act to limit the perpendicular movement of the roller with respect to the guide by positioning the guide surfaces in close proximity to the upper and lower most points on a roller. However, several competing design considerations play a role in the position of the guide surfaces with respect to the rollers.
First, any tolerance between the rollers and guides creates unwanted play in the suspension which results in undesirable movement in the seat. A reduced or zero tolerance, on the other hand, may result in a force which resists the movement of the roller in the guide as the suspension actuates. This results in friction that may unnecessarily wear the rollers and other components, and if the force is great enough, it may result in converting the rollers into slider blocks or even preventing the movement of the rollers altogether. Thus, there is a need in seat suspensions in which a press-fit like relationship between a roller and guide may be achieved to eliminate unwanted play without the attendant problems associated which sandwiching a roller between two opposingly located guide surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a roller and guide assembly which allows a press-fit relationship between the roller assembly and guide without the attendant problems previously mentioned. The present invention provides a seat suspension having a roller assembly comprised of first and second rollers which rotate in opposite directions and in which the first roller engages one of the guide surfaces and the second roller engages the other guide surface. This arrangement creates a suspension in which the rollers are allowed to freely rotate in either direction and in which the force which might otherwise oppose the direction of travel of the assembly is eliminated—even when a press-fit between the roller assembly and guide is used.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a seat suspension assembly in which a close tolerance or press-fit between a roller assembly and guide may be used in the suspension.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat suspension which reduces unwanted movement in the suspension by eliminating play between the rollers and the guide surfaces.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a seat suspension in which component wear is reduced.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3265450 (1966-08-01), Aho
patent: 3441322 (1969-04-01), Leschinger
patent: 3661431 (1972-05-01), Wisecarver
patent: 3873055 (1975-03-01), White
patent: 4390216 (1983-06-01), Mueller et al.
patent: 4856763 (1989-08-01), Brodersen et al.
patent: 5125631 (1992-06-01), Brodersen et al.
patent: 5468070 (1995-11-01), Riedel et al.
Hannon Thomas R.
Niro Scavone Haller & Niro
Sears Manufacturing Co.
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