Supports – Stand – Horizontally movable support surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-11-27
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports
Stand
Horizontally movable support surface
C248S393000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322035
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an assembly for mounting a seat within a vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to a seat mounting assembly including a release lever which reduces the horizontal free play of the seat.
Seat track arrangements for mounting seats within vehicles are generally well known. Most arrangements provide for a seat to be moved or adjusted in forward and rearward directions within a vehicle. To provide the adjustment, a first seat track is typically movable relative to a second seat track, yet can be securely locked when the desired position is obtained. One disadvantage, however is that free play commonly exists between the seat track members such that, even in the locked position some relative movement is possible. This free play causes undesirable noise and vibration. Another matter of general concern in assuring the locking of the seat track assemblies is to provide secure placement of the seat for safety reasons.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a seat mounting assembly that permits easy forward and rearward adjustment while being securely lockable without the aforesaid free play.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general terms, this invention is a vehicle seat assembly including a first track having a side wall including a plurality of spaced slots. A second track is supported for movement relative to the first track. A locking device is supported on the second track for movement into and out of a locking position. When the locking device is in the locking position, the second track remains stationary relative to the first track. Because the first track is fixedly mounted to the vehicle frame, the seat remains stationary in the vehicle when the locking device is in the locking position.
A release member is supported on the second track to move the locking device out of the locking position. Preferably, a handle is operatively coupled to the release member and is movable to move the release member into the disengaged position. Movement of the release member moves the locking device from a locked position to an unlocked position to allow a seat occupant to place the seat in a new preferred position.
The release member includes at least one actuator slot having a wedge-shaped end. The actuator slot engages at least one locking pawl to move the locking pawl from the locked to the unlocked position. At least one pawl is adapted to be received within one or more of the slots in the first track to restrain the second track from moving relative to the first track. When in the locked position the wedge-shaped end exerts a force on the at least one locking pawl to substantially reduce free play between the first and the second track when in the locked position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3310274 (1967-03-01), Tanaka
patent: 4301988 (1981-11-01), Parizet
patent: 4568054 (1986-02-01), Degremont
patent: 5286076 (1994-02-01), DeVoss
patent: 5524504 (1996-06-01), Brandoli
patent: 5799920 (1998-09-01), Wittkowsky
patent: 5806825 (1998-09-01), Couasnon
patent: 5918846 (1999-07-01), Garrido
D'Antimo Jason
Hauck Brent A.
Chin-Shue Alvin
Dura Global Technologies
Kiczek C. R.
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