With Horizontal Adjustment Patents (Class 248/419)
  • Publication number: 20030230695
    Abstract: A frame of a motor vehicle seat with a longitudinal guide (20), a seat carrier (26), a front pair of oscillating cranks disposed between the longitudinal guide (20) and the seat carrier (26), and a padding support for a seat padding. A pinion (48) is rotatably disposed on one of the oscillating cranks (22, 23), an actuator (71) being associated with the pinion. A pivot unit (54) is disposed between the two oscillating cranks (22, 23) and is rotationally linked to the two oscillating cranks (22, 23) so as to be pivotal about an axial line. The pivot unit (54) is provided with a sector gear (62) that is centered on the axial line and meshes with the pinion (48), and an adjusting arm (64) is provided which is disposed between the pivot unit (54) and the padding support (30) so that the height of a front edge of the padding support (30) is adjustable by adjusting the sector gear (62).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Wilfried Beneker
  • Publication number: 20030213885
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat, having a height adjuster (25) for setting the height of a seat frame (10) of the vehicle seat (1) relative to an understructure (3) connected with the vehicle structure, a substantially irreversible change in the geometry of the height adjuster (25) in the event of a crash activates at least one crash locking device (27, 30), allowing an alternative force transfer between the seat frame (10) and the understructure (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kai Schumann, Ingo Teufel, Joachim Muhlberger
  • Patent number: 6488337
    Abstract: An automotive seat adjustment assembly adjusts a relative position of a seat cushion. The adjustment assembly comprises at least one front mounting bracket adapted for supporting a forward end of the seat cushion and at least one rear mounting bracket adapted fort supporting a rearward end of the seat cushion. At least one front seat support is movably mounted to the front mounting bracket and adapted for mounting to the forward end of the seat cushion. The front seat support is movable between a first position with the seat cushion in a lowered orientation and a second position with the seat cushion in a raised orientation. At least one rear seat support movably mounted to the rear mounting bracket and adapted for mounting to the rearward end of the seat cushion. The rear support is movable between a first position with the seat cushion in a lowered orientation and a second position with the seat cushion in a raised orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Magna Seating Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine A. De Voss, Peter P. Zeimis, III, Stephen P. Tokarz, Michael P. Modreski
  • Patent number: 6467761
    Abstract: A positioning device and method for positioning objects is provided. The device includes a movable stage and a pair of levers. The pair of levers is symmetric about a first axis of the movable stage. Additionally, the pair of levers is parallel to a second axis of the movable stage. This second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. Each of the pair of levers applies a force to the movable stage. Each of the pair of levers moves in an arc. The two levers move in opposite directions along their respective arc. The two arcs are symmetrical about an axis of the movable stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The 14th and Constitution National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Inventors: Edward G. Amatucci, Nicholas G. Dagalakis, Jason Marcinkoski, Frederic E. Scire, John A. Kramar
  • Patent number: 6457277
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for support automatic teller machines (ATM's). A framework is formed and adapted to house the ATM. A support plate is positioned within the framework and is adapted to be linearly movable between two positions. The first position places the support plate entirely within the framework. The second position allows the support plate to at least partially protrude from the framework. The plate is then simply supported rather than by cantilever. Simply supporting the plate may include coupling the plate to the frame work with a pivotal linkage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: David O. Meyers
  • Publication number: 20020096615
    Abstract: A structure for supporting a vehicle seat, which includes a seatback. The seat is slidable relative to a floor of the vehicle, and the seatback inclines forward with respect to the seat. The structure holds the seat in a stable state when the seatback is used as a table. The structure includes a seat cushion, which moves between a normal position at which a passenger may sit on the seat and a lifted position at which the seat cushion is moved from the normal position. A locking member selectively permits and prohibits the sliding of the seat. An actuating member controls the locking member and prohibits the sliding of the seat when the seat cushion is located at the lifted position and the seatback is inclined forward with respect to the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Yukifumi Yamada, Tadasu Yoshida, Mikihito Nagura, Masaru Wakayama, Yasuhiko Mori, Takuo Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 6416025
    Abstract: A part retention system for mating parts comprises a pair of flexible guide ribs, integrated into a cap which is to be attached or interlocked. Each of the guide ribs incorporates one or more detents, which force the guide ribs apart as a tab on the mating component moves along the detents. The guide ribs having angled locating portions to direct the guide ribs over the tab to facilitate blind installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Technical Center USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvaro Eduardo Urrutia, Gregory Paul Thomas
  • Patent number: 6392873
    Abstract: A data-processing apparatus including a main body. The main body includes a base and a stand extending upwards from the base. The base is shaped like a box having a prescribed width and a prescribed depth. The base contains functional components such as a hard disk drive and a CD-ROM drive. The stand is shaped like a box having a width similar to that of the base. The stand contains a circuit module. A flat liquid-crystal display unit is supported at the top of the stand. The display unit is formed integral with the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masami Honda
  • Patent number: 6371431
    Abstract: A height adjusting device for a lengthwise adjustable vehicle seat is provided. Pivotal control arm units are provided at front and rear position of a vehicle seat to raise and lower the seat in dependance on their rotative position Link assembles, including front and rear coupling arms pivotally connected by an intermediate joint connect the front and rear control arm units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schmidt, Ralf-Henning Schrom, Philip C. Shephard, Petros Velimvassakis
  • Patent number: 6299252
    Abstract: Motor vehicle seats with safety belts wherein the free end of the lap belt is attached to an outer rocker located on the vehicle exterior side. The arrangement provides an improved distribution of forces in the event of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus, Burckhard Becker, Wilfried Beneker
  • Patent number: 6273507
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of a vehicle seat includes an inboard track assembly, an outboard track assembly spaced apart from the inboard track assembly, and at least one torque tube extending between the assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies each have a first track fixed to a vehicle structure and a second track supported for longitudinal movement with respect to the first track to adjust horizontal seat position. A seat bottom mounted for horizontal movement with the second track. The torque tube is interconnected to the seat member by a linkage assembly to move the seat member between a lowered position and a raised position. An actuator is selectively actuated to supply rotational input to the torque tube. As the torque tube rotates, the linkage assembly moves the seat bottom in a vertical direction. The adjustment assembly includes at least one stop supported on one of the inboard or outboard track assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies
    Inventor: Hugh D. Downey
  • Patent number: 6264158
    Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle seat assembly which allows the seat position to be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat support structure is mounted to a vehicle structure and includes a first track, a second track, a torque tube and a brace member supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement relative to the first track. A restraint bracket which is attached to the seat belt is adjacent the torque tube and second track without the necessity of fasteners. The restraint bracket mounting allows a force to be transfered to the associated torque tube, first track, and second track. The present invention further provides a method of seat assembly in which the torque tube is maintained under compression and the brace member under tension to provide a rigid, integral seat support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Hugh D. Downey, Pascal Garrido, Gregory D. Collins, Roger Freund, Nils Olsson
  • Patent number: 6260672
    Abstract: The invention presents a vehicle seat with an adjusting mechanism, for example with a height adjustment of the seat area or with a length adjustment of a longitudinal guiding (20, 22), whereas the adjusting mechanism is provided with an electromotor (36), a step-down gear (34) and an adjusting device having a first adjusting element as well as a second adjusting element which may be adjusted relative to the first adjusting element. The adjusting mechanism is additionally provided with a constantly engaged brake (38) that is leading to a braking moment in both senses of rotation of the electromotor (36), the braking moment being calculated so as to be considerably smaller than the active driving moment of the electromotor (36) but so as to be bigger than the passive torques occurring during normal operation of the vehicle due to all kinds of acceleration and loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventors: Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus, Burckhard Becker, Michael Lingner
  • Publication number: 20010005003
    Abstract: A vertical movement apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a seat bracket supported on a seat member, a floor bracket adapted to be supported on a floor member, a link supported by the floor bracket to move the seat bracket in the vertical direction of the seat member, a driving member operatively connected to the link to drive the link and move the seat bracket in the vertical direction, and a link control mechanism. The link control mechanism includes an elongated hole located in either the seat bracket or the floor bracket, a pin operatively engaged with the other of the floor bracket or the seat bracket and slidably disposed within the elongated hole, and a depression portion located on the inside surface of the elongated hole to prevent the pin from sliding within the elongated hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Koga, Naoyuki Uryu
  • Patent number: 6206333
    Abstract: An electric motor, used for moving a seat of a vehicular seat apparatus, is mounted to mounting brackets so as not to produce vibration or unusual sounds. A cylindrical stepped portion projects from a bottom surface of a yoke of the electric motor. A fitting recess, formed in a frame member, is press-fitted over the yoke stepped portion such that the second frame member is checked from rotating relative to a motor armature shaft, but is allowed to move axially. The electric motor, including the second frame member, is disposed between a pair of first and second mounting brackets arranged in an opposed relationship in the axial direction of the electric motor. The electric motor is fixed by tightening screws into threaded holes formed in the frame member from an outer surface of the adjacent mounting bracket so that no gap is left between the frame member and the adjacent mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Ochiai, Yasushi Yoshida, Hideyuki Minami
  • Patent number: 6179265
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back supported with respect to a seat bottom and is attached to the vehicle by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly has an inboard track assembly and an outboard track assembly that are both mounted to a vehicle structure with the track assemblies being spaced apart from one another. Each track assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track. The first and second tracks are preferably mounted in a vertical configuration. The seat bottom is supported on the second track for horizontal movement with the second track as seat position is adjusted. A single drive mechanism is supported on one of the inboard or outboard track assemblies. The drive mechanism includes a single drive member that is mounted between the inboard and outboard track assemblies. A truss structure extends between the inboard and outboard track assemblies to provide structural support for the seat assembly as seat position is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh D. Downey, Roger Freund, Pascal Garrido, Nills O. Olsson, Gregory David Collins
  • Patent number: 6176459
    Abstract: A self-locking, angularly-tilting seat support is provided for supporting fishing boats and the like. The seat support includes a mounting plate adapted to support a seat thereon. A support stud has its upper end pivotally attached to the bottom of the mounting plate and its upper end slidably received within a pedestal. A pivot block is fixedly attached to the bottom of the mounting plate. A bushing is slidably mounted about the support stud and abuts the pedestal support. The pivot block and the bushing matably engage at a plurality of angular positions such that downward forces exerted on the mounting plate are transferred to the pivot block thereby effecting locking engagement between the pivot block and the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Wilcox, Christopher A. Rossman, Warwick M. Whitley
  • Patent number: 6163451
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display base which can adjust the angle of the display, especially the angle of a touch screen liquid crystal display of a cash register. The display base mainly comprises an upper body, a lower body and moving apparatus. The upper body is used for mounting a display screen; one side of the upper body is of an arcuate shape. The lower body is used for mounting a calculator device; one side of the lower body is also of an arcuate shape for being connected with the upper body. The moving apparatus is mounted in the upper body, and comprises a motor which can rotate to drive a worm, a worm wheel and a gear engaged with a tooth hole provided on the lower body in order to move the upper body upward and downward to achieve the function of angle adjustment, and the angle displacement of the screen caused by the pressing of the screen will not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Senor Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Liang Chiu
  • Patent number: 6135412
    Abstract: A seat assembly for vehicles such as lawn and garden tractors comprises a base for attachment to the vehicle. The base includes an axle to which a first support plate is pivotally mounted. The first support plate includes a pair of channels. A corresponding pair of runners may be slidably attached to the channels in relative back and forth movement. A second support plate is attached to the runners and is movable therewith. A seat is pivotally attached to a third support plate. An air spring is mounted between the second and third support plates for restricting the movement of the second and third plates toward one another. A pair of struts extend between the second and third support plates for providing relative up and down movement therebetween as the air spring is compressed or expanded during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Richard B. Buehler
  • Patent number: 6042203
    Abstract: A console enclosure for supporting various computer or electronic components including an adjustable monitor supporting shelf within the enclosure, and adjustable keyboard table and a shielding canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Infra-Structures, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Bogucki
  • Patent number: 5967471
    Abstract: A parallel acting vehicle seat lift uses a single jack screw unit at the front and a passive linkage at the rear. The linkage is located such its inherent play or looseness is continually taken up by the constant weight force of the occupant acting downwardly at the rear of the seat cushion. The jack screw unit, which is inherently tight, is attached at the bottom to the vehicle floor and at the top to the seat cushion frame by close fitting pivots, so there is no perceptible looseness. The passively acting linkage uses two bell cranks, each centrally pivoted to the floor, the first of which is attached at one arm the seat cushion frame by a close fitting pivot. The second bell crank is attached to the rear of the seat cushion frame by a lost motion connection, and the two facing arms of the bell cranks are connected together by a second lost motion connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Juergen Borlinghaus, James Peter Nini
  • Patent number: 5954408
    Abstract: A console enclosure for supporting various computer or electronic components is provided with an adjustable monitor supporting shelf within the enclosure, and adjustable keyboard table and a shielding canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Infra-Structures, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Bogucki
  • Patent number: 5941495
    Abstract: A longitudinal guide apparatus for a motor vehicle seat having two rails for slidably supporting the motor vehicle seat for fore-aft position adjustment. The guide apparatus includes first fixation devices arranged at one of the two rails for fixing one rail to the motor vehicle seat. Second fixation devices are arranged at the other of the two rails connecting the other rail to a platform of a motor vehicle. Guiding devices are arranged between the two rails. Each rail is provided with at least one hooked part which is in reciprocal engagement with the hooked part of the other rail. One of the two rails is formed as an encompassed rail, the other rail being formed as an encompassing rail, the encompassing rail encompassing the encompassed rail wherein each of the two rails is equipped with a sliding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Burckhard Becker, Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus
  • Patent number: 5931012
    Abstract: A road side airconditioning and/or heating facility in, or adjacent, a parking bay for a vehicle, including and supporting, in use, an airconditioning unit and/or heating unit, or reverse cycle unit (11), relative to the vehicle and for temporary association with the vehicle, and having a flexible supply duct (14a) and a flexible return duct (14b), and having means (15) to, in use, associate the ducts with the interior of the cabin of the vehicle, whereby conditioned and/or heated air may be supplied to the cabin of the vehicle. The unit (11) is supported on a pillar (19) via a pulley arrangement (22) to allow the unit to be raised and lowered relative to the vehicle, and an arm arrangement (20) pivotable in a horizontal plane to allow lateral adjustment of the unit into and out of the parking bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Ian John Robertson
  • Patent number: 5924668
    Abstract: A vehicle seat lift mechanism includes a motor assembly that is used to adjust the height position of the vehicle seat. The motor assembly includes a motor shaft that is maintained within a housing that includes a damper member that is deformed during the assembly process. The damper member eliminates axial play within the motor assembly. The motor shaft includes rounded contours on the ends of the shaft that interact with disk-like bearing plates to effectively eliminate friction during motor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Meritor Automotive Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Pascal Garrido
  • Patent number: 5909866
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for use in a power seat adjuster. A mechanical brake in the form of a coned-disk spring is included in the transmission to prevent back driving of the transmission by application of a force to the seat assembly which could otherwise produce unintended movement of a seat within a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Sriam Vaidyanathan, Christopher Kanuit, Slavko Kocecski, Sushil Shastry
  • Patent number: 5899428
    Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a drive shaft rotatably driven by a motor fixedly connected to a movable track of a vehicle seat track assembly. The drive shaft threadingly engages a drive nut fixedly connected to a fixed track of one track assembly. The fixed and movable tracks have opposed, longitudinally extending grooves which form an elongated bore receiving a plurality of polymeric balls to slidably interconnect the movable and fixed tracks. Upon high impact loads, the polymeric balls deform to bring opposed surfaces of the movable and fixed tracks into contact to lock the movable and fixed tracks into a single unit for direct transfer of the impact loads from the movable track to the fixed track and therefrom to the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Derek K. Gauger
  • Patent number: 5871195
    Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a torsion member extending between the movable tracks of a pair of track assemblies. An elevating drive mechanism is coupled to the torsion member for rotating the torsion member. Motion links are fixedly mounted on the torsion member spaced from opposite ends of the torsion member and engage one end of a vehicle seat support for elevating and lowering the one end of the seat upon rotation of the torsion member. A one piece bushing/spacer is fixedly mounted in each movable track and rotatably receives and supports one end of the torsion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Derek K. Gauger
  • Patent number: 5797574
    Abstract: A vertical drive nut apparatus includes an elongated strap having an aperture formed in a central portion, and a pair of folded legs extending from the central portion and terminating in parallel first and second ends having coaxial apertures. A plastic drive nut is insert molded about the central portion of the strap with a threaded through bore in the drive nut coaxially aligned with the aperture in the central portion to threadingly receive a vertical drive lead screw. The first and second ends of the strap are pivotally connected to a bracket carried on a rotatable torsion tube extending between a pair of power seat adjuster track assemblies to effect rotation of the torsion tube and a resulting elevational change in one end of a seat upon translation of the drive nut and the strap by rotation of the vertical drive lead screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Brooks, Dean L. Ruger
  • Patent number: 5794911
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle seat having a scissors arm linkage with a load carrying flexible member secured to a spring and in operable contact with a cam-shaped pulley carried by the linkage for producing a suspension of compact structure, which enables seat height to be adjusted independently of weight adjustment, and which produces a suspension having desirable load-deflection characteristics. The suspension has a platform for carrying the seat which overlies the linkage and a base underlying the linkage that supports the suspension and permits mounting to the floor of a vehicle. Weight adjustment of the suspension is accomplished by selectively tensioning the springs without changing the distance between the platform and base. Height adjustment of the seat is accomplished by moving the spring and flexible member in unison to controllably collapse or expand the linkage thereby selectively changing the distance between the platform and base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Milsco Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kevin E. Hill
  • Patent number: 5788326
    Abstract: A seat cushion is bisected into a front seat cushion and a rear seat cushion. The front seat cushion is liftably and lowerably supported through a lifting mechanism which includes a front link and a rear link. When the seat back is reclined rearwards, a locking pin of a locking bar is separated from a locking claw and slid forwards by a biasing force provided by the front link intended to be tilted down rearwards by a resilient force of a spring. As a result, the front seat cushion is moved rearwards in a manner to follow the reclining of the seat back. The lifted seat cushion does not hinder the reclining of the seat back, and no gap is created between the seat cushion and the seat back. The front seat cushion is lifted to constitute a child seat, and a front seat back and a rear seat back of a seat back are opened longitudinally to constitute a baby basket. Thus, a central seat can be utilized for a baby, a child and an adult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tateo Kawade, Osamu Shirose, Hiroshi Tokuyama
  • Patent number: 5765802
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension includes a bottom frame adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and a top frame located above the bottom frame and adapted to support a seat thereon. A substantially fully collapsible scissors linkage is interconnected between the bottom frame and the top frame enabling the bottom frame and the top frame to move relative to each other substantially in parallelism. A biasing arrangement is disposed between the top frame and the bottom frame and has a preload force urging the top frame away from the bottom frame. A first adjustment mechanism is located in the top frame and selectively enables fore and aft adjustment of the top frame relative to the bottom frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: H.O. Bostrom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Bostrom, Douglas P. Gennrich, Charles A. Van Breemen
  • Patent number: 5765840
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having an adjusting mechanism including a locking and releasing device constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a locking position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to lock the adjusting mechanism to prevent adjusting movement and (2) a releasing position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to release the adjusting mechanism to permit manual movement in one direction and return movement in the opposite direction. The adjusting mechanism includes a power operated assembly constructed and arranged to enable the locking and releasing device to be moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof, and a manually actuated remote control constructed and arranged to operate the power operated assembly to enable the locking and releasing device to be selectively moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventor: Omar D. Tame
  • Patent number: 5740999
    Abstract: The seat sliding mechanism includes locking levers 4, 4 having tabs 6, 6 which are engaged with or disengaged from lock openings 10, 10 formed on lower rails 2, 2, rotatable links 17, 17 pivoted to upper arms 13, 13 slidable relative to the lower rails 2, 2, and sets of connecting links 20, 20 and L-shaped crank links 19, 19 for interconnecting the locking levers 4, 4 and the rotatable links 17, 17. The tilting movement of a seat back causes the rotatable links 17, 17 to be rotated and the rotation thereof to release the tabs 6, 6 from the lock openings so that the front seat can be moved forwardly to the easy entry position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukifumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 5738327
    Abstract: A seat adjuster of a vehicular seat is provided with a seat lifting mechanism which includes front and rear shafts which are supported to vertically extending walls of a pair of seat rails for sliding a vehicular seat. One end portion of each shaft has a bulged portion for receiving the wall and a groove for setting a stop ring. The end portion is inserted to a through-hole of the wall and limitingly connected thereto by means of the bulged portion and the stop pin set in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Tanaka, Koichi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 5735500
    Abstract: A six-way powered seat adjuster slide unit which in a preferred embodiment includes a top rail with first and second ends for mounting a vehicle seat; a bottom rail with first and second ends for supporting the top rail; a floor rail for slidably mounting the bottom rail in a fore and aft position; a first forward powered jack screw unit pivotally connected to the bottom rail and having a rotative shaft, the first jack screw unit having an upper pivotal axis in a position axially fixed with respect to the first end of the top rail; an elevator arm pivotally connected adjacent to the second ends of the top and bottom rails; a second rearward powered jack screw unit with a rotative shaft having a pivotal axis with the bottom rail and the elevator arm; and a motor fixed with the bottom rail allowing a gear to mesh with a portion of the bottom rail for providing selective fore and aft adjustment of the adjuster slide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Juergen Borlinghaus, James Peter Nini, Thomas Bernard Blake
  • Patent number: 5730411
    Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a drive link fixed to a torsion tube rotatably supported between the upper tracks of a pair of track assemblies. One end of the drive link is pivotally connected to a first leg depending from an upper seat support frame member. First and second flanges respectively formed on the first end of the drive link and the first leg lie in an intersecting path for engagement upon rotation of the first end of the drive link beyond a normal end travel position to resist continued rotation of the first end of the drive link and the upper seat support frame. Similar cooperating flanges are formed on a slave drive link and on the lost motion strut of a rear elevating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Pawlowicz, Joseph C. Montano
  • Patent number: 5709364
    Abstract: Output reduced by a reduction mechanism A contained within a tube type motor body 5 is transmitted to a threaded shaft 13, and a nut 15 having a wing element 15a for transforming rotation of the threaded shaft 13 to propulsion is threadingly engaged with the threaded shaft 13. Then, reduction and boost is made between a linear groove 16a of a guide member 16 secured to an inner wall of the body 5 and the rotation is transmitted to the body 5 by this rotational force, thereby an arm 17 provided on the body 5 is swung so that a base 3 is adjusted upwardly and downwardly about bearing members 2, 2a mounted on slide rails 1, 1. Owing to this arrangement, since a smaller installation space can be achieved, the apparatus can be made small in size and commonly used for various types of automotive vehicles. Moreover, the apparatus can be unitized. In addition, a high torque transmission is made possible by reduction and boost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Noriyuki Araki, Norimasa Kitoh, Hiroaki Banno, Masashi Mitsukuchi, Akinori Mori
  • Patent number: 5664755
    Abstract: A seat bracket and riser for a seat system includes interlocking portion which create a direct path for the resolution of any forces thereupon to the frame whiler reducing loads passing to the operating portions of the seat system.In a preferred embodiment the seat adjuster including a system of linkages utilizing the effect of a compensating member or the like which compensates for the arcuate motion of the system if left uncompensated. The invention finds particular application for compact assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Multimatic Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf Gruber
  • Patent number: 5662367
    Abstract: A removable rear seat for motor vehicles, in particular for Estate cars with a variable-volume loading space, having a rigid seat bench and a seat-bench substructure for fixing the seat height. The substructure is fixed on the floor of the vehicle body via releasable anchorage locations. In order to provide a rear seat which is manageable, easy to remove, and makes optimum use of the resulting free space after the rear seat has been removed, the seat-bench substructure is connected releasably, at its end remote from the anchorage locations, to the seat bench and is retained in its anchorage location. Thus, it can be pivoted out of a use position into a stowage position on or in the floor of the vehicle body and vice versa. At least one manually actuatable locking device locks the seat-bench substructure in its use position and determines the seat height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Ina Rastetter, Walter Schmid, Werner Hauser, Rolf Mitschelen
  • Patent number: 5586740
    Abstract: A powered seat adjuster slide unit is providing including a top rail for mounting a vehicle seat; a bottom rail for supporting the top rail; a guide rail pivotally joined to the top and bottom rails along generally opposite ends to stabilize the top rail; a first forward jack screw unit with a powered extendable jack screw, the first jack screw unit having pivotal axes in positions fixed with respect to the top and bottom rails; and a second rearward jack screw unit with a powered extendable jack screw, the second jack screw unit having pivotal axes in positions fixed with respect to the top and bottom rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hans J. Borlinghaus, James P. Nini, Thomas B. Blake
  • Patent number: 5568908
    Abstract: An improved manually adjustable vehicle seat assembly is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Kisiel
  • Patent number: 5547159
    Abstract: A manually operable mechanical memory device comprises at least one slider slidably mounted within a slider rail attached to one member of a seat guide system. The slider includes at least one stop face adjacent an end of the slider. A stop element is retractably attached to a second seat guide member that is movable relative to the first seat guide member. The stop element is movable from a neutral position outside of the slider to a stop position capable of placement within the slider and engagement against the stop face. The slider includes a catch to prevent the stop element from entering the slider from the neutral position. The slider includes a striker that locks the stop element within the slider and against the stop face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Treichl, Christian Alt
  • Patent number: 5501422
    Abstract: A seat adjuster for a vehicular seat is provided with a seat lifting mechanism which includes a front lifting unit, a rear lifting unit and a lifting drive unit. The three units of the seat lifting mechanism are independently connected to a seat rail of a seat slide mechanism. The front and rear lifting units are connected to front and rear portions of the seat, respectively, and move them downward and upward. The lifting drive unit is disposed between the front and rear lifting units. Various parts of the front side of the seat lifting mechanism are formed exactly the same as those of the rear side. Therefore, this seat adjuster realizes reduction in weight and manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isamu Chinomi
  • Patent number: 5483853
    Abstract: A system for adjusting a vehicle seat comprises a plurality of adjustment mechanisms that are selectively driven by a common adjustment electric motor via gear units that are distributed within the seat, each gear unit being in the vicinity of a corresponding adjustment mechanism, and being capable of being connected to the adjustment motor by at least one transmission member that rotates at the same speed as the adjustment motor, the system further including clutches and means for controlling the clutches. Each gear unit is permanently coupled to the adjustment motor via one of the transmission members, and is coupled to an adjustment mechanism via a clutch installed between the gear unit and the corresponding adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure France
    Inventors: Pierre G. R. Moradell, Paul J. G. Jaudouin
  • Patent number: 5427349
    Abstract: An adjustable base assembly for selectively adjusting the horizontal and vertical position of a fabricating tool such as a punch or metal forming tool. The apparatus includes a generally planar base and a carriage assembly positioned on the base. The carriage assembly includes a lower wedge plate assembly having an upper surface defining a pair of upwardly converging wedge faces, an upper wedge plate assembly having a lower surface defining a pair of downwardly converging wedge faces, a pair of wedge blocks each having converging upper and lower wedge faces for respective sliding engagement with one of the upwardly converging wedge faces and one of the downwardly covering wedge faces, and a vertical adjustment screw mounted on the lower wedge plate, passing through the wedge blocks, and including left and right threaded portions for respective threaded coaction with a left threaded bore in one of the wedge blocks and a right threaded bore in the other wedge block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: REO Hydraulic Pierce & Form, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Obrecht
  • Patent number: 5425522
    Abstract: A vehicle seat adjuster includes laterally spaced track assemblies each having an upper track slidable fore-and-aft relative to a lower track and normally locked to the lower track by a latch adapted to be pivoted about an upright axis to an unlatched position. Pivoting of the latches is effected by manually turning an operating handle about a laterally extending axis, the handle being conveniently located adjacent and accessible from the outboard side of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Atwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Retzlaff
  • Patent number: 5366196
    Abstract: A device for adjusting vehicle seats, in particular, motor vehicle seats having, link mechanisms which, for the adjustable securement of the seat to the vehicle floor on a cushion-receiving frame of the seat, act near to the front and rear end of the seat frame upon its longitudinal sides. A locking unit engages into at least one link mechanism for locking the seat in a desired seat position. For the purpose of adjusting the seat in the longitudinal direction in a straight line or with superimposed adjustment for height and inclination, and for extreme displacement of the seat for the purpose of facilitating passage to the rear seating positions in the case of two-door vehicles, each of the two front and rear link mechanisms exhibits a link pivotably mounted on the seat frame and two mutually intersecting cross-links. The cross-links are attached by their one end to the link at a distance from its bearing point and are pivotably secured by their other end, at a distance apart, on the vehicle floor side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Rolf Mitschelen, Gunter Siegel
  • Patent number: 5348262
    Abstract: A seat slide device includes a stationary rail and a movable rail. The stationary rail has a first bottom wall portion, first inside wall portions vertically upwardly extending from side ends of the first bottom wall portion, upper wall portions outwardly extending from upper ends of the first inside wall portions, and first outside wall portions vertically downwardly extending from outer ends of the upper wall portions. Each of the upper wall portions is grooved at a major portion thereof for receiving ball bearings thereon and convexly curved at a rear end portion thereof. The major portion and the rear end portion are united.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Isomura
  • Patent number: RE35907
    Abstract: An adjustable base assembly for selectively adjusting the horizontal and vertical position of a fabricating tool such as a punch or metal forming tool. The apparatus includes a generally planar base and a carriage assembly positioned on the base. The carriage assembly includes a lower wedge plate assembly having an upper surface defining a pair of upwardly converging wedge faces, an upper wedge plate assembly having a lower surface defining a pair of downwardly converging wedge faces, a pair of wedge blocks each having converging upper and lower wedge faces for respective sliding engagement with one of the upwardly converging wedge faces and one of the downwardly covering wedge faces, and a vertical adjustment screw mounted on the lower wedge plate, passing through the wedge blocks, and including left and right threaded portions for respective threaded coaction with a left threaded bore in one of the wedge blocks and a right threaded bore in the other wedge block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: REO Hydraulic Pierce & Form, Inc
    Inventor: Robert E. Obrecht