Chairs and seats – Movable bottom – Tiltable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-08
2001-01-09
Nelson, Jr., Milton (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Movable bottom
Tiltable
C297S378120, C297S316000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170913
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a seat assembly having a seat cushion and seat back which can be moved from a stowed position to a use or seat forming position. More specifically, the present invention relates to a seat cushion activated latch mechanism which latches the seat back into a use position.
Many vehicles such as sport utility vehicles and minivans are provided with sophisticated seat assemblies that may be folded or collapsed when moved to a stowed position from a seat forming position. This variability in position is created by a system of pivots and support members coupled to the vehicle. In one such embodiment, the seat cushion portion of the seat assembly is hinged relative to the floor adjacent to its forward edge so that it pivots forward to a vertical stowed position. In a similar manner, the seat back is hinged relative to the floor of the vehicle so that it may fold forward to a horizontal stowed position next to the seat cushion, thus forming a flat cargo receiving surface with its back side.
When in a seat forming position, it is important that the seat assembly be properly secured in position to insure that the seat cushion and seat back will not move during the normal operation of the vehicle. In applications where an integral or three point restraint seat belt is located in the seat back of a seat assembly, it is particularly important that the seat back is properly latched into position. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat assembly, and in particular a seat back, that can be automatically latched to a secured position after the seat cushion and the seat back have been placed in a seat forming position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a vehicle seat assembly is provided with a latch mechanism for latching and unlatching the seat assembly in a use or seat forming position. The seat assembly in the preferred embodiment includes a pivotable seat cushion and a pivotable seat back. A first pivoting mechanism supports the seat cushion and allows the seat cushion to be pivoted between a generally horizontal use position and a generally vertical stowed position. A second pivoting mechanism, which includes the latch mechanism, supports the seat back and allows the seat back to be moved between a generally vertical use position and a generally horizontal stowed position, overlying the horizontal use position of the seat cushion. The latch mechanism automatically unlatches the seat back in response to movement of the seat cushion from its seat forming position, and automatically latches the seat back in response to movement of the seat cushion to its seat forming position. The latch mechanism of the present invention may also be used with other various seat storage and movement assemblies such as four bar linkages and a floating seat cushion using a two bar linkage, but is not limited to Such.
The latch mechanism of the present invention includes a sector support, a base member attached to the vehicle floor, and a seat cushion actuated lever. The seat back in the preferred embodiment is coupled to the sector support which is further pivotably coupled to the base member. The lever is also pivotably coupled to the base member and is pivoted by contacting the bottom of the seat cushion as the seat cushion moves between a stowed position and a seat forming position. The lever includes a stop that is rotated by the pivoting action of the lever. The sector support includes an engagement surface which has been designed to mate with the stop on the lever. When the seat cushion is moved into the seat forming position, the lever will move the stop into a position where it is able to contact the engagement surface of the sector support and latch the seat back into the seat forming position. Accordingly, the steps of manually latching and unlatching the seat back to a seat forming position are eliminated. This eases the operation and manipulation of the seat assembly.
Furthermore, the engagement surface of the sector support has been configured with a profiled engagement surface. The profiled engagement surface has been shaped to mate with the stop positioned on the lever to create a snug or firm fit. This snug fit will minimize unwanted movement of the seat back during operation and the associated rattle, improving the over all quality and feel of the seat assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4627656 (1986-12-01), Gokimoto et al.
patent: 5133589 (1992-07-01), Kimura
patent: 5383699 (1995-01-01), Woziekonski et al.
patent: 5466048 (1995-11-01), Fowler et al.
patent: 5577805 (1996-11-01), Glinter et al.
patent: 5641202 (1997-06-01), Rus
patent: 5762401 (1998-06-01), Bernard
Pattok Mark A.
Seibold Kurt A.
Foley & Lardner
Johnson Control Technology Company
Jr. Milton Nelson
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