Chairs and seats – Movable back – Tiltable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-23
2001-08-28
Nelson, Jr., Milton (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Movable back
Tiltable
C297S361100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279994
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF USE
The present invention involves a linear seat-back recliner mechanism and, more particularly, a recliner mechanism that enables the adjusting and retaining the angular position of a seat back relative to a seat cushion in a motor vehicle, an aircraft,watercraft, home recliner, or other seating applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many configurations for linear seat-back recliner mechanisms, including:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,083 (Martone et al.) which discloses a linear seat-back recliner mechanism that is infinitely adjustable. The mechanism includes an elongated actuator rod that cooperatively engages with an actuator through interlocking serrations that enhance the gripping power of the mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,100 (Rees) which discloses a high-strength seat frame recliner having a pair of seat track assemblies. The seat-back frame is cooperatively engaged with the lower recliner structure to insure compressive loading when subjected to frontal forces during impact, while permitting entry into the back seat for a two-door vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,999 (Jones et al.) which discloses a manually actuated recliner mechanism having an infinitely-variable lead screw with a helical screw thread. A mechanism locks the lead screw to prevent unwanted rotation. Upon the selective release of the lock mechanism, axial forces applied to the lead screw enable angular adjustment of the seat back.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,764 (Robinson) which discloses a power recliner including a master and a slave recliner mechanism. An integrally powered motor is mounted onto the master recliner mechanism. Each recliner mechanism includes a threaded recliner rod which prevents the forward withdrawal from the master recliner mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,752 (Robinson) which discloses an infinitely adjustable recliner that enables continuously variable seat-back angular positioning. The mechanism includes a threaded recliner rod disposed within a coil spring. One end of the spring engages the housing assembly and the other end of the spring engages a secure projection of the rod. The spring urges the seat back to an upright position when the recliner mechanism is in a released state.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,424 (Bell) which discloses a spring-loaded latch mechanism that controls the rotational repositioning of the seat back relative to the seat frame. The mechanism includes an elongated rod that is disposed within an elongated compression spring. The rod has a pair of abutment shoulders that engage the ends of the spring and inhibit the axial movement of the shoulders toward the latch frame but yield to forces transmitted by the occupant of the seat.
Long compression springs buckle when they are compressed. A guide rod is often inserted into the spring to prevent lateral movement of the spring. When the rod includes surface variations, such as steps, or teeth, noise occurs when the inner surface of the spring travels across these surface variations.
What is needed is an improved linear seat recliner that can be readily modified to accommodate various loading requirements by using multiple nested springs that can be positioned relative to each other according to operational demands.
What is needed is an improved linear seat recliner that uses conventional springs that are readily available that are low cost items, and that are easily assembled.
What is needed is an improved linear seat recliner having a relatively simple design that is compatible with a two-sided configuration, involving both a master and a slave unit having the same or similar parts in each unit that will simplify assembly and reduce costs.
What is needed is an improved linear seat recliner using springs that can be used in a wide variety of load environments that are readily interchangeable but will minimize buckling, and are essentially silent.
What is needed is an improved spring configuration for use with linear seat-back recliner mechanisms that eliminates tangling of the compression springs when they are transported in bulk.
What is needed is an improved linear seat recliner that is applicable to manual and power mechanisms, to light duty and heavy duty vehicles inadditon to passanger cars, and provides high output
What is needed is an improved linear seat recliner that is easy to assemble, that is reliable, that is lightweight, that can be adapted for use in motor vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, recliners, or any other similar seating application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the linear seat-back recliner mechanism of the present invention enables pivotal rotation of a seat back relative to a seat cushion, and will lock the seat back in position relative to the seat cushion in accordance with occupant demand.
The mechanism preferably comprises a master and a slave unit connected by either a power cable or torque transmission means. The master and the slave unit each comprise an elongated recliner rod, an actuator mechanism, and a spring unit.
The elongated recliner rod is pivotally retained relative to the seat back and a seat-back frame, and the rod extends through an actuator mechanism. The spring unit is disposed on the recliner rod between the actuator mechanism and the pivotal attachment to the seat-back frame.
A variety of spring units may be used to provide the necessary tensile forces. The spring unit may comprise two or more compression springs nested one inside the other. The spring unit may comprise a spring having reduced diameter coils that sandwich the larger diameter coils. The spring unit may also comprise larger diameter coils that sandwich smaller diameter coils.
For a more complete understanding of the linear seat-back recliner mechanism of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example. As the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from spirit of essential characteristics thereof, it is expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the description, like reference numbers refer to the same component throughout the several views.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1226434 (1917-05-01), Zumwalt
patent: 2001835 (1935-05-01), Cook
patent: 2248447 (1941-07-01), Wood
patent: 2643109 (1953-06-01), Wood
patent: 3356411 (1967-12-01), Homier et al.
patent: 4118020 (1978-10-01), Myers
patent: 4148469 (1979-04-01), Geyer
patent: 4579386 (1986-04-01), Rupp et al.
patent: 4907788 (1990-03-01), Balsells
patent: 5203546 (1993-04-01), Amadore
patent: 5482261 (1996-01-01), Ortega
patent: 5618083 (1997-04-01), Martone et al.
patent: 5660440 (1997-08-01), Pejathaya
Black Gerald R.
Jr. Milton Nelson
LandOfFree
Linear seat-back recliner mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Linear seat-back recliner mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Linear seat-back recliner mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2512181