Patents Assigned to Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
  • Patent number: 4488451
    Abstract: A remote hand knob gear as first of a train of gears for actuating a taumel hinge eccentric constructed as integral plastic support disc and gear adapted for snap on hand knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz G. Ligensa, Philip Cherdron
  • Patent number: 4478455
    Abstract: A hollow eccentric taumel bolt having external eccentric cylindrical surfaces with parallel offset axes and an internal bearing surface for use in a taumel hinge fitting wherein adjustment is achieved by rotation of the eccentric bolt through the relative progression of a spur gear within a ring gear having at least one more tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter W. Linde
  • Patent number: 4469375
    Abstract: Power hinge recliners for vehicle seat backs wherein sandwich taumel gearing provides high rigidity and torque capacity for accommodating power adjustment under occupant back pressure loads and including gravity release inertia latch back rest retention. Optional dual power actuated master and slave hinge construction is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Boyer
  • Patent number: 4438974
    Abstract: Improved inertia latch passenger car seat back hinge extending operative range of nose down vehicle parked condition without incurring seat back lock up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. Kresky, Daniel R. Boyer
  • Patent number: 4382630
    Abstract: A hinge fitting for adjustably connecting a seat and a back rest, especially for motor vehicles, in which a pair of hinge members pivotally connected to each other have means for gradually continuously adjusting the angle of the hinge members and the elements fixed thereto relative to each other and in which supplemental means are provided for quick adjustment to any approximate angular relation within the total range of seat back adjustment subject to gradual adjustment to any desired precise seat back position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Allen H. Weston
  • Patent number: 4366984
    Abstract: An inertia latch return linkage for a seat back inertia latch system normally biasing the inertia latch to an engagement oriented position maintained by inertia effect upon sudden vehicle deceleration, such linkage being rendered inoperative to permit gravity disengagement of the inertia latch upon initial seat back tilting in a forward direction when the vehicle is stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd A. Klueting, Vikram Zaveri
  • Patent number: 4366983
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hinged recliner for seats with adjustable seat backs, especially automobile seats, where a fixed hinge part attached to the seat, and a swingable hinge part attached to the seat back are connected via an axis of rotation, and where an adjustment and locking device, designed on a taumel gear principle, determines the position of both hinge parts to each other and the eccenter of the taumel gear system is connected to a power device through the mediation of a reduction gear by means of a flexible shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd A. Klueting, Daniel R. Boyer
  • Patent number: 4358155
    Abstract: An improved inertia latch system for a vehicle seat having a pivotally adjustable backrest and a separate more forwardly pivoted hinge member to accommodate forward tilting of the backrest for rear passenger entry and exit provides a limit for the seat angle at which release of the inertia latch can be effected in order to enhance safety, a manual override for releasing the inertia latch and a reduction in weight and cost of the inertia latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Osterhold, Bernd A. Klueting
  • Patent number: 4355846
    Abstract: A vehicle seat back adjuster with manually releasable forward tilt lock providing fine increments of adjustment through the combination of a translation overdrive for a fine tooth ratchet accommodated by accurate location of extremity stops and special provision for assuring full tooth engagement at extremity positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd A. Kluting, Vikram H. Zaveri
  • Patent number: 4305615
    Abstract: A vehicle seat back mounting having a latch pivotably mounted for a limited swinging movement with a recessed catch shaped for engaging a projection on the stationary seat part to prevent forward tilting. The center of gravity of the latch is located laterally and below the pivot point so that during manual tilting of the seat back the force of gravity releases the latch from the projection; and so that during sudden deceleration of the vehicle an inertial force counteracts the force of gravity and prevents unlatching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Osterhold
  • Patent number: 4295682
    Abstract: A vehicle seat back adjuster for achieving fine increments of adjustment in the order of 1.degree., without resort to translation overdrive, through employment of reaction backup for teeth in the order of 1.degree. pitch in an adjustment quadrant minimizing yield of components which could permit fine tooth disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd A. Kluting, Vikram H. Zaverni
  • Patent number: 4252370
    Abstract: A gravity and inertia responsive latch mechanism for accommodating pivotal forward tilting of a vehicle seat back to permit ingress and egress of back seat passengers when the vehicle is stationary without requiring manual release and for automatically preventing forward tilting of the seat back under sudden deceleration such as incident to a front end collision. A spring detent cooperates to resist initial forward tilting of the seat back rendering the inertia latch more dependable under marginal and unusual conditions of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd A. Kluting, Daniel Boyer, Vikram Zaveri
  • Patent number: RE31741
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle seat hinge has an upper hinge element secured to the back part of the seat and a lower hinge element secured to the seat part, a positioning plate securable at any of a plurality of angularly offset positions and coacting with an abutment on the upper element to define the rest position for the seat back. An inertial two-arm pawl is pivoted on the upper hinge element and has on one arm a stop face which is engageable with the positioning plate in a blocking position of this pawl to prevent forward pivoting of the back seat. The other arm of the pawl is weighted so as normally to pivot from the blocking position into a freeing position when the back part is slowly pivoted forwardly but to resist due to its inertia the change of its position when the back part is subject to an abrupt forward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Willibald Strowick, Paul Werner