Joints and connections – Including ancillary means blocking disconnection of joint
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-01
2001-06-26
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Including ancillary means blocking disconnection of joint
C403S033000, C403S349000, C403S316000, C403S319000, C403S322100, C403S353000, C297S440130, C297S440150, C297S335000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250842
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for the releasable fastening of seats, bench seats or other objects on the floor of a motor vehicle, comprising a locking part and a mating locking part which can be fixedly connected to the floor, wherein the locking part can be moved, by overcoming a spring force, from a locking position, in which it cannot be uncoupled from the mating locking part, into a release position, in which it can be uncoupled from the mating locking part.
In the case of known configurations available on the market the operation of coupling the locking part and mating locking part, in particular, is laborious since the mating locking part has to be moved into the release position at the same time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the above-mentioned type of user-friendly construction, so as to render easier, in particular, the operation of coupling the locking part and mating locking part.
According to the invention there is provided a blocking element which, upon uncoupling, retains the locking part in the release position by positively locking interengagement.
Such a development provides a device of the introductory-mentioned type which is of user-friendly construction. If it is desired, for example, to pivot a bench seat in order to increase the loading space within a motor vehicle, first of all the relevant locking parts have to be moved into the release position, whereupon the bench seat can be pivoted, together with uncoupling of the locking parts from the mating locking parts on the vehicle floor. During the uncoupling operation, the blocking element associated with each device passes into the locking part in a positively locking manner with a cooperating form-locking of the locking part and the blocking element and retains the locking part in the release position. This means that, upon bringing about of the coupling position of the locking part and mating locking part, it is not necessary for the locking part to be moved into the release position. As the coupling position of the locking part and mating locking part is brought about, the blocking element is disengaged in the end phase, with the result that the locking part passes, with spring actuation, into its locking position. This likewise ensures that if, in the case of a bench seat, a plurality of these devices are provided, the locking position is only established when the locking part and mating locking part pass into positively locking engagement with one another as intended. It is advantageous to construct the locking part as a locking plate, with the result that high forces which counteract the locking can be absorbed. This is also assisted by the fact that the mating locking part is configured as a clamp which is provided with a mushroom head and interacts with the locking plate by way of an elongated slot connection. In order to bring about the coupling position between the locking part and mating locking part, the locking part is to be displaced in that the mushroom head passes through a cross-sectionally enlarged region of a corresponding slot of varying cross-section. After passing along the mushroom head, the locking plate, which is formed as a locking part, can pass into positively locking connection by spring force. So that, in the uncoupled position, the locking plate cannot advance as the result of its spring loading, the blocking element is a spring-actuated pin which, in the uncoupled, release position, penetrates into an opening of the locking plate and fixes the same. The locking plate is easily prevented from advancing here in that the opening has a transverse niche in which, in the uncoupled, release position, the pin is positioned. In the coupled, locking position, on the other hand, the pin is forced out by a protrusion which engages in the opening. This takes place such that, upon coupling of the locking part and mating locking part, the protrusion pushes the pin out of the transverse niche of the opening and frees the locking plate for spring-loaded advancement. The pin forms a blocking web which is directed toward the locking plate and is intended for passing into the transverse niche. It is only once the blocking web and the transverse niche have been aligned, to be precise following the prior disengagement action of the locking plate, that, upon the following uncoupling action, the blocking web can pass into the transverse niche, while the protrusion releases the opening at the same time. In order that the blocking web and the transverse niche are always correctly aligned, the pin is unable to rotate. The protrusion is formed here by a rivet which is connected to a trapezoidally bent base plate. This base plate stabilizes the clamp, which is connected to the vehicle floor, in that the base plate forms a bayonet slot for the through-passage and support of a collar which is formed by the mating locking part and is spaced apart in parallel from the mushroom head. Accordingly, any loading to which the mating locking part is subjected is also transferred into the base plate, which may be connected to the vehicle floor, with the result that the forces are distributed over a greater area. Finally, it is also advantageous to provide a securing plate which is fixed by the rivet and covers the open free space of the bayonet slot of the base plate. The rivet accordingly fulfills a double function: on the one hand it forms the protrusion, and on the other hand it is used for retaining the securing plate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2734764 (1956-02-01), Angelo
patent: 4308680 (1982-01-01), Aboudi
patent: 4386871 (1983-06-01), Hooker et al.
patent: 4455723 (1984-06-01), Umetsu
patent: 4588866 (1986-05-01), Monti
patent: 4597599 (1986-07-01), Bisbing
patent: 5281044 (1994-01-01), Chen
patent: 5542720 (1996-08-01), Fleming
patent: 5971490 (1999-10-01), Chang
patent: 2228527 (1990-08-01), None
Browne Lynne H.
Ewald Witte GmbH & Co. KG
Farber Martin A.
Garcia Ernesto
LandOfFree
Device for the releasable fastening of seats, bench seats or... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for the releasable fastening of seats, bench seats or..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for the releasable fastening of seats, bench seats or... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2435865