Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-10-30
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
C248S429000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308589
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a locking arrangement for vehicle seats, particularly for motor-powered vehicle seats, having two parts which are displaceable relative to one another. A rail is associated with one of the parts. The rail extends in the direction of displacement and has at least one row of snap-in holes extending in rail longitudinal alignment. The holes are separated from one another by web-like material sections. Ratchets, associated with the other part, can be controlled in their movement relative to and transverse to the direction of the extension of the rail between a disengaging position and a locking position, and can be controlled by means of an operating mechanism. When in locking position, at least one of the parts displaceable relative to one another engages in an associated snap-in hole.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A locking arrangement for vehicle seats is disclosed in PCT-WO 95/17317. With that locking arrangement, it is possible to displace two displaceable parts of the vehicle seat relative to one another continuously. A basically reliable locking is realized, even in the case of increased stress load.
In that locking arrangement, the ratchets have a wedge shape, as required by the obliquely arranged engagement surfaces. The inclined surfaces are pointed downward in an alignment transverse to the displacement alignment. A load in the direction of displacement, when the occasion arises consequently, has such low force components on the ratchets for producing a release of the locking that as a result generally no involuntary unlocking can occur. With a considerable unfavorable introduction of force, as, for example, can occur in the case of a crash with high frequency vibrational fractions, the ratchet in turn is raised out of its locked position, and thus, can be subject to a partial longitudinal thrust, lasting until the next ratchet can take over the load.
EP-A-0 786 37 discloses an arrangement for manual longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat. It includes a guide frame, a locking member displaceable vertically therein and a pivotal locking lever within an opening in the locking member. The locking member is provided at the bottom with a cog arrangement projecting downward through an opening in the guide frame and engaging with a corresponding cog arrangement. The guide frame is fastened to a top rail and serves as stop for two springs which act upon the locking member or the locking lever on the locking position. With this arrangement, it is possible only to bring ratchets in the sense of strips of cogs in or out of engagement with one another for the execution of a locking or unlocking setting. In the case of high frequency vibration fractions in the case of a crash, there exists the possibility of the breakdown of the locking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects of the present invention are to provide an improved locking arrangement that prevents an undesired removal from engagement of the relevant locking ratchet by lifting it out of an effective locking position, especially in the case of a crash, leading to high frequency vibration fractions.
The foregoing objects are basically provided by a locking arrangement for vehicle seats having two relatively displaceable seat parts, comprising a rail associated with one seat part having a longitudinal axis extending in a displacement direction and having at least one row of snap-in openings arranged along the longitudinal axis. The snap-in openings are separated from one another by web-like material sections. Ratchets associated with the other seat part are displaceable transverse to the longitudinal axis relative to the rail between disengaging positions and locking positions in the snap-in openings. An operator is coupled to the ratchets for controlling movement of the ratchets between the disengaging positions and the locking positions. At least one retaining element is coupleable to each of the ratchets for preventing undesired disengagement of the respective ratchet from the locking position thereof.
The retaining prevents undesired removal from engagement of the relevant ratchet by lifting it out of an effective locking position. Effective locking is reliably in place even in case of a crash with high frequency vibration fractions, since the ratchets in the case of even minimal lifting up movement out of their locking position are either held tightly in an effective locking position or are subject to an additional retaining force in the direction of this locking position by spring latches or catching hooks.
Preferably, the relevant retaining element is formed of a sort of catch device, which works force-locking and/or form-locking on the associated ratchet.
With one especially preferred embodiment of the locking arrangement according to the present invention, the catch device is formed of a pair of spring latches which limit an engagement opening for the ratchet and which are arranged with their free spring ends in position for contact with the ratchet. On the basis of this arrangement, with minimal lifting displacement of the ratchet in the area of a still effective locking position, a counterforce is carried out by the adjustment force of the spring latches such that lifting up is prevented.
In another preferred type of embodiment, the catch device is formed of a catching hook which can be moved by the dovetail tenon part of the operating mechanism and controlled by a compression spring between a detached or disengaging position and a locking position. In the locking position, the ratchet is blocked in a reliably effective locking position. A form-locking connection is instituted, with especially high retaining forces which can be executed on the locking ratchet in the objective of a blocking and providing a still effective locking position.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5560262 (1996-10-01), Orzech
patent: 5564315 (1996-10-01), Schuler et al.
patent: 5596910 (1997-01-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 5816110 (1998-10-01), Schuler et al.
patent: 5913947 (1999-06-01), Croche
patent: 6126133 (2000-10-01), Timon et al.
patent: 4242895C1 (1993-11-01), None
patent: 4432861A1 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 0786371A2 (1997-07-01), None
patent: 95/17317 (1995-06-01), None
Flick Joachim
Henrich Wolfgang
Leibeling Christoph
Schuler Rolf
Bucci David A.
Keiper GmbH & Co.
Kim Chong H.
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
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