Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Seats with body modifications
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-01-09
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Seats with body modifications
C296S065130, C296S068100, C297S362140, C297S452180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170898
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an improved recliner or pivot assembly for a vehicle seat of the type that carries a safety belt system and includes a seatback pivotally connected to a lower seat structure.
BACKGROUND ART
Most motor vehicles are equipped with restraint systems including a retractable safety belt system. Typically, the safety belt system is attached directly to the vehicle structure, such as a floor pan and/or B-pillar of the vehicle. It is also known to mount a safety belt system directly to a seat assembly. In such an arrangement, the structure of the seat assembly must be of sufficient strength to accommodate potentially significant loads that may be generated as a result of impact, severe braking, or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,577, for example, shows a vehicle seat having a safety belt system mounted thereto, and includes a seatback pivotally connected to a lower seat structure by a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly includes a housing and a pivot arm pivotally attached to the housing. The housing includes inner and outer plate members, and the inner plate has a downwardly extending lower edge that is attached directly to a mounting flange of the outer plate member. The lower edge and the mounting flange are also jointly attached to the lower seat structure.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a vehicle seat of the “all belts to seat” type having a safety belt system mounted thereto, wherein all belt loads are carried by the seat. The seat includes an improved pivot assembly that permits a seatback of the seat to pivot with respect to a seat cushion, wherein the pivot assembly exhibits significantly greater strength compared with prior vehicle seats.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle seat including an “all belts to seat” safety belt system mounted thereto, and an improved pivot assembly having a bracket and a connector member pivotally connected to the bracket.
Under the invention, a vehicle seat for use in a vehicle having a floor includes a safety belt system mounted to and carried by the vehicle seat, a lower seat structure mounted to the floor, a seatback frame, and a pivot assembly connecting the seatback frame to the lower seat structure such that the seatback frame may pivot with respect to the lower seat structure. The pivot assembly includes a bracket connected to the lower seat structure, and a pivotable connector member connected to the seatback frame and pivotally connected to the bracket. The bracket has first and second substantially parallel side portions that define an open bottom therebetween, and the first and second side portions are connected to the lower seat structure.
According to a feature of the invention, the connector member has a channel, and the pivot assembly further includes an insert disposed within the channel for strengthening the connector member.
According to another feature of the invention, the bracket cooperates with the lower seat structure to define a support structure having a generally rectangular-shaped cross-section along a substantial portion of the support structure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5460429 (1995-10-01), Whalen
patent: 5476307 (1995-12-01), Whalen
patent: 5590932 (1997-01-01), Olivieri
patent: 5622410 (1997-04-01), Robinson
patent: 5660440 (1997-08-01), Pejathaya
patent: 5681079 (1997-10-01), Robinson
patent: 5707112 (1998-01-01), Zinn
patent: 5711577 (1998-01-01), Whalen
patent: 5895090 (2000-04-01), Farquhar et al.
patent: 6045186 (2000-04-01), Butt et al.
Aboud George
Cunningham, II Spencer D.
Via Michael D.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Lear Corporation
Pape Joseph D.
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