Supports – Stand – Adjustable vertically
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-09
2001-07-24
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand
Adjustable vertically
C248S429000, C248S430000, C248S419000, C297S344100, C296S065180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264158
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a seat adjuster for a seat track assembly with a unique support configuration, specifically, the torque tube and brace members provide support for the seat and an attachment point for a passenger restraint.
Seat adjusters are often used in seat assemblies for selectively adjusting the position of a vehicle seat. Typically a first track member is fixed to a vehicle structure, such as a floor, and a second track member is supported on the first track member for movement relative to the first track member such that the seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly within the vehicle. The adjustment of the seat assembly is controlled by either a mechanical actuator, an electrical actuator, or an electromechanical actuator.
Typically, vertical seat adjustment is accomplished by torque tubes that actuate a drive link assembly that is connected to a seat bottom. An input is provided to the torque tube which rotates causing the drive links to move the seat bottom between a raised and lowered position.
Mounting the torque tubes in this configuration can cause the seat to be somewhat unstable. Also, these known seat adjustment assemblies require a complex mounting arrangement to attach the passenger restraint. This requires a significant number of parts that require a great deal of packaging space, and which make the assembly expensive.
Thus, it would be desirable to have a seat adjustment assembly with a support structure that improves seat stability and provides effective passenger restraint attachment points while reducing the overall number of parts. It would also be desirable to have a seat adjustment assembly that provides sufficient strength with fewer parts so that assembly cost and overall assembly weight can be reduced, and available packaging space for other components is increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a unique structural support for a vehicle seat that avoids the problems described above. Further, the present invention provides an attachment point for a passenger restraint that transfers force to the seat support structure.
In a disclosed embodiment, a seat mounting assembly includes a first and second track defining a longitudinal axis. The first track is mounted to a vehicle structure and the second track is supported for linear movement relative to the first track along the longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes at least one torque tube for providing vertical seat adjustment and at least one brace member to provide rigidity to the seat support structure.
In one embodiment, the torque tube and brace member define a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. A link is fixedly attached to the torque tube for rotatably actuating the torque tube and a restraint bracket is preferably mounted to the torque tube between the link and the second member. Upon receipt of a force the restraint bracket preferably deforms and transfers the force directly to the torque tube and track assemblies. This further improves the structural integrity of the seat while the total number of structural components is reduced to thereby provide a light weight and inexpensive support structure which does not require fasteners.
Additionally, the structural integrity of the present invention is increased by a particular assembly method. Preferably, the torque tubes are maintained under compression and the brace member or members maintained under tension. By maintaining opposing forces on the horizontal axis members, structural integrity and rigidity of the overall assembly is increased.
The present invention therefore provides a support structure for a scat adjuster that is durable, easily installed, easily maintained, and inexpensive. These and other features can be understood from the following specification and drawings.
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Collins Gregory D.
Downey Hugh D.
Freund Roger
Garrido Pascal
Olsson Nils
Dura Global Technologies, Inc
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur
Ramirez Ramon O.
Wood Kimberly
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