Chairs and seats – Movable back – Tiltable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-11
2001-05-15
Cranmer, Laurie K. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Movable back
Tiltable
C297S375000, C297S378120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231123
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The subject invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly having a linear seat back recliner and an easy entry latch mechanism with memory feature of the seat back recliner position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicle seat assemblies commonly includes a seat track assembly for slidably mounting the seat to the floor of the vehicle. A seat cushion is supported by the seat track assembly and a seat back is pivotally supported by the seat cushion or seat track assembly. It is often desirable to adjust the angular or reclining position of the seat back with respect to the seat cushion for user comfort and safety. It is also often desirable to pivot the seat back fully forward, to a dumped position to allow easier access to the area behind the seat assembly. However, once the seat back has been pivoted fully forward to the dumped position, the previously adjusted reclining position is lost and the seat back must again be adjusted to the desired seat back reclining position.
Further, the seat track assembly is often unlocked or released when the seat back is pivoted to the dumped position allow forward sliding movement of the entire seat assembly and provide even greater access to the area behind the seat assembly. The release of both the seat back and seat track causes even further difficulty in retaining the previously adjusted reclining position of the seat back upon return from the dumped position.
Therefore, it remains desirable to provide a mechanism which allow release of the seat back for pivotal movement from the adjusted reclining position to the dumped position, while retaining, or memorizing, the previously adjusted reclining position upon return of the seat back.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A vehicle seat assembly including a seat mounting assembly for securing the seat in a vehicle. A seat cushion is supported by the seat mounting assembly and a seat back is pivotally secured to the seat mounting assembly and pivotal between one of a plurality of reclining positions and a forward dumping position. A linear actuator selectively adjusts the seat back between the plurality of reclining positions. A locking member intercoupled between the linear actuator and the seat back operatively locks the seat back in one of the plurality of reclining positions and a seat back releasing member is coupled to the locking member for releasing the locking member from the seat back and allowing the seat back to pivot from the reclining position to the dumping position while the linear actuator retains the previously adjusted reclining position of the seat back.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4822101 (1989-04-01), Hosoe
patent: 4844542 (1989-07-01), Humer
patent: 4881774 (1989-11-01), Bradley et al.
patent: 5286076 (1994-02-01), DeVoss et al.
patent: 5707112 (1998-01-01), Zinn
patent: 5741000 (1998-04-01), Goodbred
patent: 5823622 (1998-10-01), Fisher, IV et al.
patent: 5918939 (1999-07-01), Magadanz
patent: 0451035 (1991-10-01), None
patent: 1498801 (1967-09-01), None
patent: WO9742051 (1997-11-01), None
Cranmer Laurie K.
Howard & Howard
Magna Lomason, Inc.
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