Abstract: A seat back adjustment mechanism for a seat assembly enabling a seat back to be selectively positioned in various fold-forward positions relative to a seat, and locked into at least one forward position, includes a quadrant supporting a cam plate that interfaces with a locking member to block an arm rotatably supporting the quadrant. The arm preferably includes a series of pawl teeth for selectively engaging the locking member to lock the seat back in a selected fold-forward position. Alternatively, the arm includes a corner portion or includes a link and a sector plate allowing for the locking of the seat back in a single fold-forward position, horizontal to the seat. A gear assembly is further provided to facilitate actuation of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A seat adjustment mechanism is provided and includes an arm defining a first locking shoulder, a sector plate rotatably supported by the arm and defining a second locking shoulder having a lock recess, a locking member selectively engaging at least one of the first and second locking shoulders, a quadrant rotatably supported by the arm and slidably supporting the locking member for locking the quadrant in one of a first and second position relative to the arm and a cam plate rotatably supported by the quadrant for selectively engaging the locking member for locking the quadrant in one of the first and second positions. In the first position the locking member is biased against the first locking shoulder and in the second position the locking member is biased into the lock recess. A gear assembly is preferably provided and operably supported by the quadrant for actuation of the cam plate.

Abstract: A seat back adjustment mechanism for a seat assembly enabling a seat back to be selectively positioned in various fold-forward positions relative to a seat, and locked into at least one forward position, includes a quadrant supporting a cam plate that interfaces with a locking member to block an arm rotatably supporting the quadrant. The arm preferably includes a series of pawl teeth for selectively engaging the locking member to lock the seat back in a selected fold-forward position. Alternatively, the arm includes a corner portion or includes a link and a sector plate allowing for the locking of the seat back in a single fold-forward position, horizontal to the seat. A gear assembly is further provided to facilitate actuation of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A linear seat recliner adapted to interconnect a seatback to a seat bottom and which is equipped with a recliner rod assembly having a recliner rod and a ball joint mounted in an aperture formed through one end of the recliner rod. The ball joint includes a ball swivel having an arcuate outer surface which is retained within a socket defined by a pair of retainer rings mounted in the rod aperture. The retainer rings rotatably support the ball swivel within the rod aperture to permit relative angular movement therebetween. The ball swivel further includes a throughbore adapted to receive a hinge pin for securing the ball joint end of the recliner rod assembly to corresponding structure of the seatback or seat bottom. Crush ribs are formed in the throughbore of the ball swivel for engaging the hinge pin and establishing an interference fit therebetween.

Abstract: A seat recliner for adjusting the angular position of a seatback relative to a seat bottom. The seat recliner includes a first member secured to the seat bottom, a second member secured to the seatback and supported for pivotal movement relative to the first member, and a latching mechanism operable in a latched mode for inhibiting pivotal movement of the second member relative to the first member and in an unlatched mode for permitting pivotal movement of the second member. The latching mechanism includes a first gear non-rotatably fixed to the second member, a second gear rotatably supported from the first member and in constant meshed engagement with the first gear, and a third gear in constant meshed engagement with the first gear.

Abstract: A locking pivot mechanism which may be used as a seat recliner to reduce chucking of a seat back has a toothed quadrant, a toothed pawl, and an engagement member. The engagement member is biased against the pawl which, in turn, is forced into engagement with the quadrant to lock the quadrant against rotation, thus reducing chucking.

Abstract: A linear recliner is described for controllably adjusting the angular position of a seatback relative to a seat member in response to actuation by a seat occupant. The linear seat recliner includes a rod adapted to be operatively connected to one of the seatback and the seat member and a housing pivotably connected to the other of the seatback and the seat member. The housing is configured to receive a portion of the rod for linear movement relative thereto whereby linear movement of the recliner rod corresponds to angular movement of the seatback relative to the seat member. The linear seat recliner further includes a cam plate coupled for rotation with an actuator shaft and which is adapted to engage a toothed pawl so as to move the pawl to and from engagement with the toothed portion of the recliner rod, thereby establishing locked and released modes for the linear seat recliner.

Abstract: A locking pivot mechanism which may be used as a seat recliner to reduce chucking of a seat back has a toothed quadrant, a toothed pawl, and an engagement member. The engagement member is biased against the pawl which, in turn, is forced into engagement with the quadrant to lock the quadrant against rotation, thus reducing chucking.

Abstract: A power linear seat recliner apparatus for controllably adjusting the angular position of a seat back relative to a seat cushion. The apparatus comprising a master recliner mechanism having an integrally mounted motor, a slave recliner mechanism and an actuator cable connecting the slave and master recliner mechanisms for transmitting torque from the motor to the slave recliner mechanism. The motor simultaneously drives each of the recliner mechanisms. The master and slave recliner mechanisms having a threaded rod assembly interconnected to a transmission assembly for providing desired speed reduction and linear reciprocable movement of the rod.

Abstract: A seat recliner mechanism for controllably adjusting the angular position of a seat back relative to a seat member in response to actuation by a seat occupant is disclosed. The seat recliner mechanism includes a rod adapted to be operatively connected to one of the seat back and the seat member. The recliner mechanism is pivotally connected to the other of the seat back or the seat member and is configured to receive a portion of the rod for linear movement relative thereto. The mechanism includes a split nut assembly engaging the rod which is movable between a first position inhibiting linear movement of the rod and a second position permitting linear movement of the rod. A clamp assembly having a passage for encasing the split nut assembly is provided and which has at least one pivotable lock clamp member adapted to reduce the cross-section of the passage when pivoted in a first direction and to enlarge the cross-section when pivoted in a second direction.

Abstract: A power linear seat recliner apparatus for controllably adjusting the angular position of a seat back relative to a seat cushion. The apparatus comprising a master recliner mechanism having an integrally mounted motor, a slave recliner mechanism and an actuator cable connecting the slave and master recliner mechanisms for transmitting torque from the motor to the slave recliner mechanism. The motor simultaneously drives each of the recliner mechanisms. The master and slave recliner mechanisms having a threaded rod assembly interconnected to a transmission assembly for providing desired speed reduction and linear reciprocable movement of the rod.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes an ankle member, a heel member and an elongate metatarsal-toe member coupled to each other for relative pivotal movement resisted by resilient pads engaged between the respective members. The undersides of the heel and toe members are concavely arched, the length of the arch duplicating that of a natural foot of the same size, with the center of the arch vertically aligned with the center of gravity of the amputee when in a standing, foot-flat position. The toe member is partially bifurcated at its forward end to provide independently flexible toe sections at the inner and outer sides of the foot, achieving a stable, three-point support matching that of a natural foot.