Abstract: A connecting device may include first and second connecting elements that are axially oppositely coupled to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other, a locking member that is positioned between the first and second connecting elements, an operating member that is positioned between the first and second connecting elements, and a retainer member that is arranged and constructed to circumferentially clamp the first and second connecting elements. The retainer member has a retainer portion and is fixed to the first connecting element while the second connecting element is axially supported by the retainer portion of the retainer member.

Abstract: A reclining mechanism may have a construction in which a plurality of pawls are received in a pair of housings that are relatively rotatably connected to each other, each of these pawls being prevented from rotating relative to one of the housings and being engageable with a ratchet formed in the other of the housings, each of the pawls being moved by a spring force from a free position in which the relative rotation of the housings is permitted to a locking position in which the relative rotation of the housings is prevented by virtue of engagement of each of the pawls and the ratchet, wherein at least one of the pawls is moved prior to the other of the pawls when each of the pawls moves from the free position to the locking position.

Abstract: Seat reclining mechanisms for a vehicle seat may include a first or stationary housing, a second or rotational housing, a locking means received between the first and second housings, and a fastener for rotatably connecting the second housing to the first housing. The fastener is formed with at least one retainer portion and at least one slide portion that respectively project toward the second housing. Preferably, the at least one slide portion has a height greater than the at least one retainer portion.

Abstract: It is possible to set a free zone and use a greater number of pawls in a reclining device having a plurality of pawls even if an angular range where a certain pawl is out of mesh with a ratchet and an angular range where pawls adjacent to that pawl are in mesh with the ratchet overlap with each other in a plan view, by bringing the other pawls out of mesh through an operation of bringing one specific pawl out of mesh. An unlock plate holds at least one pawl in retreat from the ratchet while a stationary disc holding the pawls and a movable disc having the ratchet form a relative rotational angle within a predetermined range. By holding the other pawls out of mesh through retreat of the pawl from the ratchet, an angular range for the operation of bringing one of the pawls Out of mesh with the ratchet by means of the unlock plate, and an angular range for the operation where the adjacent pawls are brought into mesh with the ratchet are so set as to overlap with each other in a plan view.

Abstract: A seat reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat may includes a plurality of slide pawls each having an outward toothed portion and a side surface, a ratchet having an inward circular toothed portion, and a holder having a plurality of guide portions each of which is formed with a torque receiving portion. The seat reclining mechanism further includes a cam member pushing the slide pawls toward the inward toothed portion of the ratchet, and at least one contact projection formed in the torque receiving wall of the torque receiving portion and projecting toward the slide pawl side surface. The contact projection is arranged and constructed such that it is deformed to eliminate variations among clearances formed between the slide pawls and the torque receiving portions when a torque is exerted between the ratchet and the holder, so that the torque is evenly distributed among the slide pawls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reclining mechanism having a construction in which a plurality of pawls are received in a pair of housings that are relatively rotatably connected to each other, each of these pawls being prevented from rotating relative to one of said housings and being engageable with a ratchet formed in the other of said housings, each of said pawls being moved by a spring force from a free position in which the relative rotation of said housings is permitted to a locking position in which the relative rotation of said housings is prevented by virtue of engagement of the pawl and said ratchet, wherein at least one of the pawls is moved prior to the other of the pawls when each of said pawls moves from said free position to said locking position.

Abstract: A seat reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat may includes a plurality of slide pawls each having an outward toothed portion and a side surface, a ratchet having an inward circular toothed portion, and a holder having a plurality of guide portions each of which is formed with a torque receiving portion. The seat reclining mechanism further includes a cam member pushing the slide pawls toward the inward toothed portion of the ratchet, and at least one contact projection formed in the torque receiving wall of the torque receiving portion and projecting toward the slide pawl side surface. The contact projection is arranged and constructed such that it is deformed to eliminate variations among clearances formed between the slide pawls and the torque receiving portions when a torque is exerted between the ratchet and the holder, so that the torque is evenly distributed among the slide pawls.

Abstract: Seat reclining mechanisms for a vehicle seat may include a first housing (10) having a guide groove (20) that has first and second guide surfaces (24, 25), a second housing (12) having a toothed portion (13), and a pawl (16) slidably received in the guide groove. The pawl has first and second side surfaces (16b, 16c) that respectively correspond to the first and second guide surfaces of the guide groove. The pawl engages the toothed portion (13) of the second housing by sliding from its non-engaging position (C) to its engaging position (A) along the guide groove, thereby preventing the second housing from rotating relative to the first housing. The first side surface of the pawl and the first guide surface of the guide groove are arranged and constructed such that a clearance defined therebetween is changed so as to have an optimal width (S) when the pawl (16) is shifted from the non-engaging position (C) to the engaging position (A).

Abstract: A reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat includes first and second attachment members coupled with each other at their outer peripheries and connected by a hinge pin, a slide pawl slidably mounted within one of the attachment members, and a cam element mounted on the hinge pin in a space between the attachment members. The cam element is engaged with the slide pawl to maintain engagement with the ratchet portion of the attachment member when the hinge pin is retained in a torsion spring load position. This construction permits relative rotation of the attachment members for adjustment of an inclined angle of a backrest. In the reclining mechanism, a thrust member is coupled with one of the attachment members and welded to a frame structure of the back rest allowing the device to be assembled as a unit.

Abstract: A reclining device including a recess formed as a low-rigidity portion in a lateral portion of each of slide pawls which faces a lateral wall surface of a guide groove of a stationary disc (the lateral wall surface of a bearing wall portion). The stationary disc holds the slide pawls. If an enormous circumferential turning force is applied to the slide pawls from a ratchet, the recess functions as a point upon which a pawl body of each of the slide pawls is deflected in the direction in which the turning force is applied. As a result, the pawl body quickly sinks into the lateral wall surface of the bearing wall portion. Thus, the slide pawls are prevented from moving away from the ratchet.

Abstract: It is possible to set a free zone and use a greater number of pawls in a reclining device having a plurality of pawls even if an angular range where a certain pawl is out of mesh with a ratchet and an angular range where pawls adjacent to that pawl are in mesh with the ratchet overlap with each other in a plan view, by bringing the other pawls out of mesh through an operation of bringing one specific pawl out of mesh. An unlock plate holds at least one pawl in retreat from the ratchet while a stationary disc holding the pawls and a movable disc having the ratchet form a relative rotational angle within a predetermined range. By holding the other pawls out of mesh through retreat of the pawl from the ratchet, an angular range for the operation of bringing one of the pawls out of mesh with the ratchet by means of the unlock plate, and an angular range for the operation where the adjacent pawls are brought into mesh with the ratchet are so set as to overlap with each other in a plan view.

Abstract: Seat reclining mechanisms for a vehicle seat may include a first or stationary housing, a second or rotational housing, a locking means received between the first and second housings, and a fastener for rotatably connecting the second housing to the first housing. The fastener is formed with at least one retainer portion and at least one slide portion that respectively project toward the second housing. Preferably, the at least one slide portion has a height greater than the at least one retainer portion.

Abstract: A reclining device has leg portions formed in opposed end portions of each of slide pawls. Basically, a rotating cam bears the slide pawl at a middle bearing portion formed in a middle portion between the leg portions. Furthermore, the rotating cam bears the slide pawl also at the leg portions. Such a three-point supporting structure prevents the middle portion of a slide pawl body from deflecting radially inwardly even in the event of application of a turning force from an annular ratchet. Thus, the slide pawls are stably maintained in mesh with the ratchet.

Abstract: It is possible to set a free zone and use a greater number of pawls in a reclining device having a plurality of pawls even if an angular range where a certain pawl is out of mesh with a ratchet and an angular range where pawls adjacent to that pawl are in mesh with the ratchet overlap with each other in a plan view, by bringing the other pawls out of mesh through an operation of bringing one specific pawl out of mesh. An unlock plate holds at least one pawl in retreat from the ratchet while a stationary disc holding the pawls and a movable disc having the ratchet form a relative rotational angle within a predetermined range. By holding the other pawls out of mesh through retreat of the pawl from the ratchet, an angular range for the operation of bringing one of the pawls out of mesh with the ratchet by means of the unlock plate, and an angular range for the operation where the adjacent pawls are brought into mesh with the ratchet are so set as to overlap with each other in a plan view.

Abstract: It is possible to set a free zone and use a greater number of pawls in a reclining device having a plurality of pawls even if an angular range where a certain pawl is out of mesh with a ratchet and an angular range where pawls adjacent to that pawl are in mesh with the ratchet overlap with each other in a plan view, by bringing the other pawls out of mesh through an operation of bringing one specific pawl out of mesh. An unlock plate holds at least one pawl in retreat from the ratchet while a stationary disc holding the pawls and a movable disc having the ratchet form a relative rotational angle within a predetermined range. By holding the other pawls out of mesh through retreat of the pawl from the ratchet, an angular range for the operation of bringing one of the pawls out of mesh with the ratchet by means of the unlock plate, and an angular range for the operation where the adjacent pawls are brought into mesh with the ratchet are so set as to overlap with each other in a plan view.

Abstract: Seat reclining mechanisms for a vehicle seat may include a first housing (10) having a guide groove (20) that has first and second guide surfaces (24, 25), a second housing (12) having a toothed portion (13), and a pawl (16) slidably received in the guide groove. The pawl has first and second side surfaces (16b, 16c) that respectively correspond to the first and second guide surfaces of the guide groove. The pawl engages the toothed portion (13) of the second housing by sliding from its non-engaging position (C) to its engaging position (A) along the guide groove, thereby preventing the second housing from rotating relative to the first housing. The first side surface of the pawl and the first guide surface of the guide groove are arranged and constructed such that a clearance defined therebetween is changed so as to have an optimal width (S) when the pawl (16) is shifted from the non-engaging position (C) to the engaging position (A).

Abstract: A reclining device including leg portions formed in opposed end portions of each of slide pawls. Basically, a rotating cam bears the slide pawl at a middle bearing portion formed in a middle portion between the leg portions. Furthermore, the rotating cam bears the slide pawl also at the leg portions. Such a three-point supporting structure prevents the middle portion of a slide pawl body from deflecting radially inwardly even in the event of application of a turning force from an annular ratchet. Thus, the slide pawls are stably maintained in mesh with the ratchet.

Abstract: A reclining device including a recess formed as a low-rigidity portion in a lateral portion of each of slide pawls which faces a lateral wall surface of a guide groove of a stationary disc (the lateral wall surface of a bearing wall portion). The stationary disc holds the slide pawls. If an enormous circumferential turning force is applied to the slide pawls from a ratchet, the recess functions as a point upon which a pawl body of each of the slide pawls is deflected in the direction in which the turning force is applied. As a result, the pawl body quickly sinks into the lateral wall surface of the bearing wall portion. Thus, the slide pawls are prevented from moving away from the ratchet.

Abstract: A headrest device ensures the movement of a headrest frame body to a stay and enables a foaming resin molding of a headrest. A support portion having a semicircular cross section and restricting portions having an approximately U-shape cross section are formed on a plate body. Two sheets of plate bodies are connected with each other in an opposed manner. Then, a headrest pad made of foaming resin is integrally formed with the plate bodies.

Abstract: It is possible to set a free zone and use a greater number of pawls in a reclining device having a plurality of pawls even if an angular range where a certain pawl is out of mesh with a ratchet and an angular range where pawls adjacent to that pawl are in mesh with the ratchet overlap with each other in a plan view, by bringing the other pawls out of mesh through an operation of bringing one specific pawl out of mesh. An unlock plate holds at least one pawl in retreat from the ratchet while a stationary disc holding the pawls and a movable disc having the ratchet form a relative rotational angle within a predetermined range. By holding the other pawls out of mesh through retreat of the pawl from the ratchet, an angular range for the operation of bringing one of the pawls out of mesh with the ratchet by means of the unlock plate, and an angular range for the operation where the adjacent pawls are brought into mesh with the ratchet are so set as to overlap with each other in a plan view.