Ends Raised Differentially Patents (Class 248/394)
  • Patent number: 4871137
    Abstract: A seat lifting apparatus comprises a seat lifting device disposed between a base frame and a seat frame attached onto a seat side, and independently moving up or down the front and rear sides of the seat frame; front and rear shafts disposed in the seat lifting device and respectively disposed on the front and rear sides of the seat to support the seat; front and rear engaging devices respectively disposed in the front and rear shafts; and a resilient device connected between the front and rear engaging device and balancing the lifting operation of the seat on the front and rear sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Ikegaya
  • Patent number: 4850561
    Abstract: The device comprises longitudinal adjustment slides for the seat. Each of the slides has a mobile element with an upper face carrying L-shaped supports with vertical wing portions. The vertical wing portion carries at least one mechanism having a control shaft for driving a rocking lever in rotation having a front end which cooperates with an intermediate part rigidly connected to a side portion of a framework of the seat. The rear end of the rocking lever cooperates with a front portion of a second rocking lever which is articulated on the vertical wing portion and has a rear portion which is mounted in a rear portion of the framework of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: A. & M. Cousin Etablissements Cousin Freres
    Inventors: Yves Pipon, Georges Droulon
  • Patent number: 4770386
    Abstract: This invention relates to adjustable seats and components therefor including mechanisms for assisting in their adjustability and a hand-operated lever employed for both adjusting the inclination and height of the seat cushion above the base of the seat and positioning and moving the seat longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Hessler, Andrzej Bartczak
  • Patent number: 4767156
    Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment apparatus includes a height control device and an inclination control device mounted on a seat frame for independently adjusting the height and inclination of a vehicle seat. A support base slidably supports a seat in a forward and a rearward direction. The seat frame means is mounted on the support base for supporting the seat. A rear portion of the seat is pivotally attached to the seat. A plurality of links pivotally connect the seat frame to the support base for raising and lowering the seat frame relative to the support base to adjust the height of the seat. The plurality of links include a control link, which is rotatably mounted on the seat frame. The height control device is connected to the control link and holds the plurality of links in a selected pivotal position. The height control device is operative to rotate the control link in a first direction to raise the seat and to rotate the control link opposite the first direction to lower the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Takami Terada
  • Patent number: 4765582
    Abstract: At each side of the seat is a slide mounting assembly consisting of a fixed slide (12) and a moveable slide 22 which carries independent means for controlling fore-aft sliding, front height adjustment, and rear height adjustment. That may be by electric motors (3, 5, 7) or by mechanical means controlled by a lever (107). Driving gear (FIG. 3) is mounted in the enclosed space between the walls (24) of the moveable slide and includes epicyclic gearing which in an electrical embodiment, is driven through a worm (32) and worm wheel (34). Racks (40, 56, 76) are used for effecting or controlling the adjustment and are mounted within the enclosed space. A mechanical version (FIG. 10) and an electrical version (FIG. 7) are interchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: I. I. Cox Limited
    Inventor: Frederick W. Babbs
  • Patent number: 4747571
    Abstract: This invention relates to adjustable seats and components therefor including mechanisms for assisting in their adjustability and a hand-operated lever employed for both adjusting the inclination and height of the seat cushion above the base of the seat and positioning and moving the seat longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Hessler, Andrzej Bartczak
  • Patent number: 4721277
    Abstract: This invention relates to adjustable seats and components therefor including mechanisms for assisting in their adjustability and a hand-operated lever employed for both adjusting the inclination and height of the front or rear portion of the seat cushion above the base of the seat and positioning and moving the seat longitudinally to provide a six-way adjustment while permitting only one adjustment to be made at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Hessler, Andrzej Bartczak
  • Patent number: 4720070
    Abstract: A height adjuster operation mechanism which is adapted to independently adjust the heights of the front and rear portions of a seat cushion of an automotive seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., L.T.D.
    Inventor: Takaichi Nishino
  • Patent number: 4664351
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a low profile seat adjuster with a lift plate stabilizer interlock. The lift plate interlock provides torsional stabilization for the lift plate preventing the lift plate being urged into interference with other members of the seat adjuster therefore reducing friction in the adjuster. The reduced friction in the operation of the adjuster allows the seat adjuster to exhibit a smooth and constant movement when adjusting the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hans J. Borlinghaus
  • Patent number: 4616874
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is for a vehicle seat having a back rest and a seat surface.The back rest is adjustable in inclination and the seat surface is adjustable in height and inclination.To reduce the height of the assembly and to enable the height and inclination of the seat surface to be adjusted independently of the back rest inclination, the seat frame is supported at its front end by levers. At the rear end of the seat frame is a support frame and a back rest frame, the back rest frame being movable relative to the support frame to raise and lower the rear end of the seat frame. The support frame and back rest frame are movable together about a horizontal axis to adjust the inclination of the back rest and the seat frame is suspended at its rear end on the back rest frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Gebr. Isringhausen
    Inventors: Helge Pietsch, Manfred Rink, Christian Suss
  • Patent number: 4616875
    Abstract: A six-way vehicle seat having means providing for fore and aft adjustment, vertical adjustment with tilting, and a recliner back with full adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bob L. McFalls, William R. Tighe
  • Patent number: 4605192
    Abstract: A seat rail for vehicle seats, particularly motor vehicle seats, is formed as a housing in which at least one drive element of a seat adjustment device is arranged. A slide rail which serves the longitudinally movable adjustment in a guide rail is formed on the seat rail. Seat adjustment devices to control the height, longitudinal movement or the angle of inclination of the seat may be included in the seat rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Bernd Kluting, Peter Ebeling, Willibald Strowik
  • Patent number: 4580838
    Abstract: A hinge fitting for an adjustable seat has a single rotatable handle by ms of which the back rest can be tilted and the height of the seat portion adjusted. The handle is connected to a shaft which can be selectively coupled to one of two eccentrics mounted on an axle which passes through the two hinge parts and one end of a pivotable seat support. One eccentric is coupled to one hinge part which has spur gear areas engaging inner toothings on the other hinge part. Rotation of this eccentric causes the inclination of the back rest to be adjusted. The other eccentric is coupled to a portion of the end of the seat support which is constructed as a three-stage hollow piston having inner toothings engaging spur gear areas on the adjacent seat hinge part. Rotation of this eccentric causes the height of the seat to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: P. A. Rentrop Hubert & Wagner Fahrzeugausstattungen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Willi Schottker, Bernd Deptolla
  • Patent number: 4572468
    Abstract: A seat includes a device for adjusting the position of a seat part relative o its support. The device is operated by a rotary knob which rotates a pinned disc of a lantern wheel gearing arrangement. The pins of the disc cooperate with teeth of a gear wheel which is connected to a pinion that rolls on a toothed segment articulated to the seat support. The teeth of the gear wheel are constructed so that reaction forces due to contact between the flanks and the pins are directed so as to pass through the rotational axis of the disc. Therefore no torque is applied to the disc and it remains stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: P. A. Rentrop Hubbert & Wagner Fahrzeugausstattungen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Lange, Bernd Deptolla
  • Patent number: 4533027
    Abstract: A friction brake assembly for stopping the transmission of motion between drive and driven shafts comprising a brake drum, a coiled braking spring having several turns adapted to frictionally contact the inner peripheral surface of the brake drum to exert a braking force, an operating member rigidly mounted on the drive shaft within the brake drum, a hanger member rigidly mounted on the driven shaft within the brake drum, and a pair of guide members for controlling the braking spring according to the rotation of the drive shaft to allow the braking spring to be released from the condition in which it exerts the braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation, Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Otani, Takeshi Chihara, Tsutomu Nishikori
  • Patent number: 4530481
    Abstract: A seat rail for vehicle seats, particularly motor vehicle seats, is formed as a housing in which at least one drive element of a seat adjustment device is arranged. A slide rail which serves the longitudinally movable adjustment is a guide rail is formed on the seat rail. Seat adjustment devices to control the height, longitudinal movement or the angle of inclination of the seat may be included in the seat rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Keiper Recarco GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Bernd Kluting, Peter Ebeling, Willibald Strowik
  • Patent number: 4513937
    Abstract: A vertical seat adjuster for vehicle seats includes a seat support bracket. The rear portion of the bracket is supported on the vehicle by a lever which is rotatable through a screwjack mechanism to raise and lower the rear portion of the bracket. The front portion of the bracket is likewise supported on the vehicle by a rotatable lever. The front portion of the bracket mounts a pair of lock plates which are movable between engaged and released positions with respect to a detent mounted to the vehicle in order to lock the front portion of the bracket against movement. Each lock plate includes a series of alternating notches and abutments, with the notches and abutments of the locking plates being offset with respect to the other whereby the notch of one lock plate engages the detent to lock the bracket against movement while the abutment of the other engages the detent to maintain the other lock plate in released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Otto J. Langmesser, Jr., Richard W. A. Rees
  • Patent number: 4508386
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat assembly including a base portion affixed to the motor vehicle, a seat portion movably attached to the base portion, and a seat adjustment mechanism operatively interposed between the seat portion and the base portion for enabling selective adjustable movement of the seat portion relative to the base portion. In order to enable a passenger's safety belt to be attached at the movable seat portion, a locking pin mechanism is provided which may be selectively activated to lock the seat portion relative to the base portion thereby to prevent relative movement therebetween. The seat adjustment mechanism may be formed with a longitudinal seat adjustment device which enables forward and rearward movement of the seat portion and with tilt adjusting devices enabling height adjustment of the seat. The locking pin mechanism may be arranged to lock at least one or both of the longitudinal seat adjustment mechanism and the tilt adjustment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Otto Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4482120
    Abstract: A six-way vehicle seat construction adapted to adjust the seat vertically, horizontally, and tilting in opposite directions about a transverse axis. The adjustments are effected or controlled by forces applied to the vehicle seat by an occupant, and are permitted by disengaging latch means which permits selective tilting of the seat by raising or lowering the front or rear edges of the seat in a pivoting motion about transverse axes adjacent the rear or front seat edges, respectively. Rearward tilting, resulting from raising the front edge or lowering the rear edge by the seat occupant, is facilitated by forces applied to the seat back. Counter-balance means apply forces tending to tilt the seat forwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Chester S. Fudala
  • Patent number: 4448381
    Abstract: An apparatus for fixing the relative position of components within an automotive seat track mechanism. Such mechanisms are conventionally powered by electric motor drive, such as a motor with multiple armatures or by using separate motors mounted on a unitary platform or by using clutch activated members driven by a single motor. The output of the motor drive is transmitted through respective gearing to lead screws or rack and pinions within or adjacent to the tracking structures at both sides of the seat to translate the seat horizontally. The motor drive output is also transmitted to operate individual lead screws or rack and pinions within or adjacent one structure for the vertical seat movements. The motor mount is secured to the tracking structure at one side of the seat. A simple light weight holding rod secures the motor mount to the opposed side structure to produce a rigid, yet readily detachable motor mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis J. Anspaugh, Ronald R. Siegrist
  • Patent number: 4445661
    Abstract: A vertical seat adjuster arrangement for vehicle seats includes spaced opposite hand mechanisms, each of which includes a seat support bracket. The rear portions of the brackets are supported to the vehicle by levers which are conjointly rotatable through a screwjack mechanism to raise and lower the rear portions of the brackets. The front portions of the brackets are likewise supported to the vehicle by conjointly rotatable levers. Each bracket mounts a lock plate which is movable between engaged and released positions with respect to a detent mounted to the vehicle in order to lock the front portions of the brackets against movement. Each lock plate includes a series of alternating notches and abutments, with the notches of one locking plate being offset with respect to the other to thereby obtain an increased number of adjusted positions of the brackets relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Otto J. Langmesser, Jr., Richard W. A. Rees
  • Patent number: 4432583
    Abstract: A power seat track apparatus for selectively positioning an automotive vehicle seat. The apparatus is adapted to be powered by electric motor drive, preferably with separate motors for each drive direction. The seat back is mounted on the upper track of the seat track mechanism for horizontal drive with the track. The vertical drive through front and back torsion tubes or bars act on only the seat pan and seat cushion but not the seat back. Since the vehicle shock loading requirements must be met by the structural seat pan or seat frame, the pan for holding only the seat cushion may be reduced in size as compared to the usual power seat frame. The back cushion seat mounting is designed to withstand shock loading by its mounting on the upper seat track separate from the seat pan and cushion elevating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventors: Vincenzo Russo, Max O. Heesch
  • Patent number: 4422611
    Abstract: A liftable driver's seat for automobiles is provided which comprises a seat frame having generally a rectangular shape, bearing blocks disposed near each corner of the seat frame, links pivotally connecting the bearing blocks to the automobile floor, a main rotary shaft rotatively supported by one of said bearings at the front side, a pair of operating links pivotally connected together at their upper end portions, the lower end portions being fixedly secured to the main rotary shaft and pivotally connected to the link, respectively, which pivotally connects the bearing block that rotatively supports the main rotary shaft, a manipulating lever secured to the main rotary shaft, and operating lever disposed within the manipulating lever so as to actuate a stopper, and a counter member secured to the bearing block which rotatively supports the main rotary shaft and adapted to coact with the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Inventor: Minoru Kitsuda
  • Patent number: 4331313
    Abstract: A 6-way seat adjuster for motor vehicles in which a three armature motor is mounted on a slidable seat frame and has connections to front and rear lift devices on the frame and a horizontal adjuster. The motor is mounted on a transmission housing in which is located an integral spacer and bearing unit formed of a rigid low friction polymer. Each armature shaft of the motor has an integral primary driving worm adjacent its outer end, and each primary worm is in mesh with a primary worm gear. The primary worm gears are fixed to drive shafts to each of which is fixed a secondary driving worm in mesh with a secondary worm gear fixedly connected to a pinion. Two of the pinions are in mesh with toothed sectors provided on pivoted lift levers connected respectively to the front and rear edges of a vehicle seat. The third secondary worm gear is fixed to a drive shaft having a pinion fixedly connected thereto which cooperates with a stationary rack for moving the frame horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Pickles
  • Patent number: 4325527
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a subframe carrying an adjustment device which adjusts a eat portion by lifting it and moving it simultaneously forward. The adjustment device includes two linkages at the front and rear of the subframe respectively for supporting the front and rear of the seat portion. Each linkage carries a segment. A pawl is engageable with the segment to lock the linkage against movement thereby also locking the seat portion against movement. A spring biases the rear linkage with respect to the subframe to raise the seat portion upwardly. The segment of the front linkage forms a separate pivotal link in the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: P. A. Rentrop, Hubbert & Wagner Fahrzeugausstattungen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen Berneking
  • Patent number: 4309015
    Abstract: The vertical position adjuster for motor vehicle seats includes two pairs of adjusting gear units, each pair being driven by a separate motor and each unit including an input screw mechanism having its nut connected to a tooth rack which meshes with a gear segment rigidly connected to one arm of a swing support in the form of a bell crank. The apex of each bell crank is hinged to the housing of the gear unit and the other arm of the bell crank is hinged to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: Keiper Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Muhr
  • Patent number: 4285487
    Abstract: A seat-supporting assembly for locking and unlocking an automobile seat in selected vertical positions includes a seat rail, a floor rail, a rotatable latch member, a locking plate and manual lever. The latch member is pivotably mounted at one point to the seat rail and at a second point to the floor rail for permitting the selective adjustment of the relative positions of the rails upon its rotation and includes a plurality of spaced notches. The locking plate is rockably connected to one of the rails and has a pin for engaging a selected one of the notches in the latch member to lock the latch member in a selected position. The lever is rotatably connected to a rail to rock the locking plate to an unlocking position. The assembly includes a spring for urging the locking plate and the lever into a locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Kazaoka, Masayuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4257569
    Abstract: A seat adjusting mechanism has two vertical and one horizontal drive systems that are power actuated to control the attitude of the seat. The vertical drive systems are disposed between a seat support and a seat base which is connected to the seat support by a hinged link. The horizontal drive system is mounted on the seat support and is operable to move a seat platform relative to the seat support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Budinski
  • Patent number: 4222543
    Abstract: The vertical and angular position adjusting device for motor vehicle seats includes a pair of base frames and a pair of seat carriers, each base frame and each set carrier being linked by a support arm and by an elbow joint to form a five-bar linkage, the lower lever of the elbow joint and the support arm being provided respectively with a gear segment and the base frame portion between the two gear segments pivotably supporting a two-arm control member having each arm terminated with locking teeth cooperating with the corresponding gear segment to lock the latter in an adjusted angular position. The control member is spring-biased and guided in an oblong slot so that it is controllable by a handle out and into engagement with the gear segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Rob. Hammerstein GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Gedig, Burckhard Becker
  • Patent number: 4222607
    Abstract: This invention is a seating, the seat part of which is adjustable at the front and rear, so as to automatically adjust the angle between the seat part and the back part.The back part also has a lumber support portion adjustable to compensate for the different angles between the seat and the back parts.Thus the seating is comfortable for occupants and also provides support for the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: The Dimmock Furniture Company Limited
    Inventor: James Dimmock
  • Patent number: 4194716
    Abstract: A transportation seat primarily adapted for use by an operator of a vehicle is disclosed. The seat includes an air suspension base supporting a tubular seat frame to which seat back and bench cushions are attached. A track support frame is slidably mounted on the base for stepwise fore and aft adjustment. The seat frame is secured to the track support frame by an antislap mechanism which isolates the seat frame from jarring movement of the vehicle. A side saddle adjustment mechanism supports the seat frame on the track support frame permitting stepwise transverse adjustment of the seat frame relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: American Seating Company
    Inventors: Chester J. Barecki, Larry A. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 4190225
    Abstract: The vertical and angular position adjusting device includes at each lateral side of the seat a five-bar linkage including an underframe, a seat carrier bar, a pair of two-arm support levers pivotably connected to the frame, a coupling bar linked between the outer arm of one of the support levers and an end portion of the carrier bar, and the other end portion of the carrier bar being hinged to the outer arm of the other support lever. The support levers at one lateral side of the seat have gear segments formed on the inner arm of each support lever. A pair of arresting levers is linked to the underframe between the support levers and is provided with arresting teeth engageable with respective gear segments. A pair of switching levers is linked to the underframe between the arresting levers and is spring-biased to abut against a front locking surface provided on each arresting lever in order to hold the latter in a locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: C Rob Hammerstein GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Burckhard Becker, Alfred Gedig
  • Patent number: 4074886
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat cushion frame supported on a seat frame by height adjustment mechanisms located at the front and rear of the seat. The rear height adjustment mechanism comprises a hinge plate pivoted at opposite ends to the seat frame and to the rear edge of the seat cushion frame, a rack pivoted to the seat frame and formed with vertically spaced slots, and a locking pin carried by the hinge plate and engageable in any selected one of the slots. The rack is movable by a handle out of engagement with the locking pin to release the seat cushion frame for upward movement under the force of a biasing spring or for down movement under the load of the seat occupant. Release of the handle engages the locking pin with the slot of the rack lying nearest opposite it to lock the adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: UOP Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Yates
  • Patent number: 4073459
    Abstract: A seat support comprising a carriage, C-shaped slides forming opposite sides of said carriage, fixed supporting inserts in said slides on which said carriage is slidable, and elevating linkages at the front and rear of the slide for connection to a seat frame. The power mechanism includes a one-piece plastic injection molded body having integrally formed means for supporting power transmission shafts, gearing, clutches, and solenoids for selective adjustment of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Pickles
  • Patent number: 4040591
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat construction in which motor means is connected by a bracket to the seat slide, which also carries transmission mechanism for adjusting the position of the seat. The seat adjusting mechanism comprises interconnected levers at opposite sides interconnected by a torsion tube pivotally connected to side elements of the seat frame by elongated pins in driving connection therewith. In addition, mounting brackets are provided carrying carriage supports on which elongated carriage slides are longitudinally slidable. The mounting brackets at their forward ends include special abutment means engageable by the forward end of the carriage supports under abnormal stress such as may occur in collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Pickles
  • Patent number: 4015812
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively positioning an automotive vehicle seat is disclosed. The apparatus is adapted to be powered by an electric motor drive, such as a motor with multiple armatures or by using separate motors or by using clutch activated members driven by a single motor. Output of the motor drive is transmitted through respective gearing to lead screws within tracking structures at both sides of the seat to translate the seat horizontally. The motor drive output is also transmitted to operate individual lead screws for the vertical seat movements. To provide elevational movement of the front and rear ends of the seat, separate mechanisms from the motor drive to front and rear end lead screws are provided, these mechanisms being distributed along the seat width. These lead screws cause rotation of respective individual torsion bars at the respective front and rear ends of the seat. By the construction shown, rotation of a torsion bar raises or lowers the respective seat end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventor: Max Otto Heesch
  • Patent number: 3951004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a selectable position adjusting or setting mechanism for a seat for automotive vehicles using an electric motor with multiple armatures or by using separate motors. Action of the motor is transmitted through respective drives to lead screws to translate the seat horizontally, to raise or lower the front end of the seat and to lower or raise the rear end of the seat. The motor action is transmitted to three parallel lead screws to drive these individual lead screws and result in three types of seat movement. To provide speed for the horizontal movement, a lead screw having a very high lead or pitch is used. In addition, the operative members of the mechanism are mounted compactly providing a comparatively short, low profile design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation
    Inventor: Max Otto Heesch