Roller Or Ball Patents (Class 248/430)
  • Patent number: 8079759
    Abstract: A slider for a motor vehicle seat including a stationary profile section extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a substantially planar base plate and at least one side shoulder, said base plate having a substantially constant width and including an attachment area for receiving a head of a fastening screw, wherein the stationary profile section has a local deformation increasing the width of the base plate and narrowing the shoulder to the extent that the raceway of the stationary profile section is blocked; a movable profile section; roller elements rolling along a raceway extending longitudinally on the shoulder of the stationary profile section and retained in position relative to each other by cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: René Rohee, Jean-Marie Fretel
  • Patent number: 8061756
    Abstract: An electrically operated seat slide apparatus includes a lower rail fixed to a floor of a vehicle body, and an upper rail slidably disposed to the lower rail. A seat is connected to the upper rail. A screw shaft is disposed inside the upper rail. A nut is threadedly connected to the screw shaft and connected to the lower rail. A motor is disposed to side of the upper rail. A gear box is fixed to the upper rail to transmit a rotation of the motor to the screw shaft. Additionally, first and second plates are provided for allowing an impact load applied to the upper rail to be directly transmitted to the screw shaft so as to prevent the impact load from being transmitted through the gear box to the screw shaft, and for setting a moving range of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kimata, Takaya Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 8052111
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle seat track assembly. The assembly comprises a first track member having an upwardly facing bearing surface and a second track member for attachment to a vehicle seat, the second track member having a downwardly facing bearing surface. A cage is disposed between the first track member and the second track member. The cage carries a rolling element that is in rolling engagement with the upper and lower bearing surfaces to provide longitudinal movement of the first track member relative to the second track member. The cage is provided with at least one pad section for engaging at least one of the upwardly and downwardly facing bearing surfaces. In an unloaded state, the at least one pad section separates the upwardly and downwardly facing bearing surfaces from each other by a distance which is greater than the diameter of the rolling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Don Bernhardt, Tony Centi, Alan M. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8052113
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a cushioning member provided at one of an operational lever and a lock lever. The cushioning member is configured to contact the other of the operational lever and the lock lever for restricting a contact of an end portion of the operational lever with the lock lever at an initial stage of the rotational operation of the operational lever and is configured to allow a contact of the end portion of the operational lever with the lock lever when canceling the restriction of the movement of an upper rail relative to a lower rail by the lock lever in response to the rotational operation of the operational lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Genta Moriyama, Mikihito Nagura, Taku Harada
  • Patent number: 8038115
    Abstract: A seat track includes a stationary rail and a movable rail. The stationary rail has a plurality of windows formed therein and a plurality of tabs formed adjacent to the windows. The moveable rail engages the stationary rail for relative movement in a first direction and for restricted movement in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The moveable rail has a J-hook that cooperates with the plurality of tabs of the stationary rail to restrict relative movement therebetween in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus Boes
  • Patent number: 8033520
    Abstract: An upper rail constituting a slide mechanism has engagement surface portions and engagement surface portions each having a projected surface portion. The engagement surface portions are positioned at front and rear two portions of the upper rail. A lower rail has detent surface portions formed between the engagement surface portions and the engagement surface portions. The detent surface portions are covered with the upper rail. When the engagement surface portions or the engagement surface portions contact the detent surface portions due to sliding of the upper rail, a vehicle seat can be prevented from sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujieda, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 8029063
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seat includes a first track member and a reinforcing member. The first track member has a first portion defining a first set of apertures configured to receive a locking device. The reinforcing member, which may be in the form of a plate, is coupled to the first portion and defines a second set of apertures corresponding to the first set of apertures. The second set of apertures are also configured to receive the locking device. The reinforcing member is configured to reinforce the first track member in an area around and between the first set of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Kazyak, Michael J. Leighton, William S. Brewer, Simon Moore, Todd M. Tommelein
  • Publication number: 20110233371
    Abstract: A slide device for vehicle seat in which rollers are arranged at three positions on a lower rail including front and rear portions thereof. Among the rollers, the rollers located at the front and rear portions of the upper rail are pivotally supported by roller shafts and that are prohibited from moving on the upper rail, while the rollers located at the position other than the front and rear portions of the upper rail are pivotally supported by a roller shaft that is allowed to move downward on the upper rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuo Kitamura, Yutaka Ofuji
  • Patent number: 8006949
    Abstract: A seat slide device includes a handle rotatably supported in holding holes provided respectively at a pair of upper rails to rotate a radial projection portion for releasing a lock mechanism, and a bearing member having an outer edge portion disposed between the upper rail and the radial projection portion formed at the handle, a holding portion disposed between the upper rail and the outer periphery of the handle, and a cushioning portion allowing the handle to move in an axial direction. The bearing member is disposed to fit into the holding hole for supporting the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Masatoshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7992834
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat sliding apparatus including first and second rails, one of which is movable relative to the other within a range restricted by engagement between raised tabs of the first and second rails, a cover member is provided at an end of the upper rail. The cover extends into the upper rail along its lengthwise direction to reach a portion at which the raised tab of the upper rail. The cover is provided with an extension extending to the raised tab of the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Ryousuke Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20110095161
    Abstract: A seat rail device provided with an upper rail 1 engaged with and mounted onto a lower rail 2 such that an upper bottom wall section 11 is located above a lower bottom wall section 21 and also such that an upper sloped wall section 16 is located within a lower groove 26 surrounded by a lower wall section 23, a lower top plate section 25, and a lower downwardly extending section 27; a roller 31 provided and rollably supported between the lower bottom wall section 21 and the upper bottom wall section 11; an upper ball-shaped rolling body 33 provided and rollably supported in an upper in-groove space 26a partitioned and defined in the lower groove 26 by the upper sloped wall section 16; and a lower ball-shaped rolling body 35 provided and rollably supported in a lower in-groove space 26b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Hayashi, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Hiroshi Koga
  • Patent number: 7931246
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seat includes a first track (22) having a first portion and a second track (24) coupled to the first track (22). The track assembly also includes a first set (104,106) and a second set (108, 110) of friction reducing members provided at first and second locations between the first track and the second track to facilitate sliding movement of the second track (24) relative to the first track (22). A device for preventing the sliding movement of the second track is provided that includes a pin configured to lock the second track in place relative to the first track by engaging a first portion (38) of the first track (22), a first portion (68) of the second track (24), and a second portion (70) of the second track (24). The pin extends between the first set (104) of friction reducing members and the second set (106) of friction reducing members when the second track is prevented from sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William S. Brewer, Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri, Michael Leighton, Simon Moore, Stephen P. Telesco
  • Publication number: 20110089306
    Abstract: A vehicle slide device is provided, which can adjustably move the second rail along the first rail without play therebetween in a front-rearward direction with a long adjustment stroke. In the vehicle slide device according to the invention, since a plurality of rolling elements annularly arranged in the attaching portion formed at the second rail are always in contact with the operating surface of the attaching portion and the operating surface of the first rail when the second rail moves relative to the first rail in a front-rearward directions, the play of the second rail relative to the first rail in up-down and right-left directions can be eliminated. Further, since the plurality of rolling elements roll and circulate at the attaching portion, the second rail can smoothly move in a front-rearward direction along the first rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto, Shinya Isobe, Hiroyuki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7922143
    Abstract: The present invention improves the shape of a protruding part of a locking member which allows a lower stationary rail and an upper moving rail of a seat moving track assembly to be coupled with each other, thereby enabling a stable movement with a further simplified configuration component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Austem Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Gun Young Park, Bum Suk Oh, Sung Ha Park
  • Patent number: 7922142
    Abstract: In accord with the present invention, a vehicle seat suspension apparatus is provided comprising: a seat suspension base; an isolator plate disposes above the base and adapted to support a vehicle seat; means for allowing reciprocating horizontal movement of the isolator plate relative to the base; an elongated guide mounted to one of either the base or the isolator and oriented along the travel path of the isolator; and a guide engaging member mounted to the other of the base or the isolator and engaging the guide to stabilize the isolator as it moves along its travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Cole T. Brodersen
  • Publication number: 20110079699
    Abstract: A lower rail or an upper rail has a first wall provided at a position on a first one of opposite sides in a widthwise direction thereof, and a second wall provided at a position on the other, second, side in the widthwise direction and disposed opposed to the first wall. At least one of the first wall and the second wall has an opening. At least one of an outer portion of the holding member in the widthwise direction and an outer portion of the nut member in the widthwise direction is inserted in the opening and disposed opposed to an inner side-surface of the opening facing in a frontward-rearward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Tarusawa, Kiyonori Umezaki
  • Publication number: 20110057086
    Abstract: There is provided a slide structure of a vehicle seat comprises a stationary outer rail, a movable inner rail, and means for locking said movable inner rail which locks said movable inner rail against said stationary outer rail in the longitudinal direction, said movable inner rail fits with said stationary outer rail in such a way that opening portions formed by the respective C-shaped cross sections faces each other, a retainer extending in the longitudinal direction is provided between said stationary outer rail and said movable inner rail, said retainer includes a retaining portion for retaining a ball rolling between said two rails, said movable side surface, said stationary side surface and said retainer side surface portion are all disposed along the vertical direction of the vehicle, whereby each of said stationary outer rail and said movable inner rail is arranged to form a vertically elongated cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Masaaki Nonomiya
  • Publication number: 20100320353
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide device includes a lower rail, an upper rail, retainers arranged between both rails, and a plurality of rolling members rollably carried by the retainer and rolled in contact with the both rails. Each retainer is composed of a retainer body and protrusions protruding from the retainer body. These protrusions and the retainer body are bodily formed with a resin material. By providing the retainer with the protrusions, it results that the protrusions necessarily contact the both rails whenever the retainer and the both rails contact each other, so that a strange sound is deterred from being generated when the upper rail is slidden relative to the lower rail with the retainer being in contact with one or both of the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Patent number: 7828383
    Abstract: A rotating seating assembly for use in marine vessels. The seat assembly includes a car and track assembly with moveable sections. The sections can move about curvilinear paths which are defined by the curved track segments. A unique bearing/track linkage mechanism, interlocking the component parts, is incorporated into the novel design. In one configuration, the seating sections rotate about a circle track, a full 360 degrees. Bearing assemblies and rolling mechanisms provide smooth, quiet and efficient operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Justin James Urbanek, John W. Hamilton, Michael Dru Merry
  • Patent number: 7815159
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding apparatus includes a first rail adapted to be fixed to any one of a vehicle floor and a seat; and a second rail adapted to be fixed to the other one of the vehicle floor and the seat. The second rail includes an in-rail functional portion formed at an end portion of the first rail in terms of the longitudinal direction so as to project into an internal space formed by the first rail to achieve a predetermined function; a recessed portion formed around the in-rail functional portion in association with the formation of the in-rail functional portion; and a protector adapted to be mounted on an end portion of the first rail in terms of the longitudinal direction and cover the end portion thereof. The protector is formed with a projection adapted to fit the recessed portion to couple the protector and the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Genta Moriyama, Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Yoshihisa Hori, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7810780
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a drive mechanism for a power seat apparatus for a vehicle includes an electric motor, a speed-reduction gear mechanism, a gear housing for housing therein the speed-reduction gear mechanism and supporting thereto the electric motor, the gear housing including a housing body having an accommodating space, a cover mounted to the housing body, and a retaining member provided on the housing body for fixedly retaining the cover on the housing body by rotating the cover relative to the housing body upon assembly, and a bracket through which the gear housing is supported by the driven member, the bracket including a receiving portion and a rotation-restricting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Koga, Hirokazu Suzumura
  • Publication number: 20100237218
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) is provided with a base (3), which is connected to a vehicle structure (7). The vehicle seat (1) is adjustable at least between a use position and an easy-entry position. The vehicle seat (1) is guided displaceably in at least one track (5) with at least one first, straight area (15a) and at least one additional, curved area (15c). At least three rollers (17, 23, 23?) or link blocks are provided each per track (5). The three rollers (17, 23, 23?) support the vehicle seat (1) in the use position in the same at the track (5) and only two of the rollers (17, 23) or link blocks are arranged within the same track (5) in the easy-entry position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Joachim Mühlberger, Birger Hahn
  • Patent number: 7789368
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle capable of preventing generation of noise includes lower rails, upper rails, lock mechanisms, release levers, and stoppers. Each lock mechanism includes a plurality of lock holes provided on the lower rail and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail and a lock lever provided on the upper rail to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail for engagement with and disengagement from the lock holes. Further, each release lever pivots the lock lever to release the engagement of the lock holes with the lock lever, and each stopper restricts the position at which the release lever remains separated from the lock lever. At least contact portions of the release lever with the lock lever and the stopper are provided with a coating layer made of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Publication number: 20100219674
    Abstract: A tailored vehicle seat component 12 having at least two portions with different properties that are joined together, such as by an adhesive or in a welding process (e.g., laser weld). These different properties include thickness, grades, surface finishes, coatings, and the like. The laser tailored welded vehicle seat 12 components may be incorporated into seat back frames 16, seat track assemblies 26, recliners 20, seat base frames 18, head restraints 88, cushion pans 132, and the like, to optimize manufacturing operations, mass, performance quality, and costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Sakkinen, Michael J. Thomas, Kurt A. Seiboid, John David Kote, Christopher P. Kubacki
  • Publication number: 20100213342
    Abstract: A rail system for a vehicle seat comprises at least one profiled fitting part and at least one cross member. The cross member is arranged perpendicular to a main direction of travel. The at least one fitting part completely surrounds the cross member. The cross member is able to be moved in relation to the fitting part perpendicular to the main direction of travel. Rolling bodies guide the cross member in the interior of the fitting part, and are arranged between the cross member and the fitting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Uwe Schmale, Paul Frank, Allen Sorenfrei
  • Patent number: 7775718
    Abstract: A roller guide for adjustable vehicle seats. The roller guide includes at least one guide rail which is at least partially open at the side and at least two rollers which roll in the guide rail and are connected to the vehicle seat via at least one axle. At least one of the rollers is shaped like a cone or a truncated cone. The cone surface can roll as the bearing surface of the roller moves along an inner wall of the guide rail. The inner wall being arranged at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Josef Kohl, Markus Haner
  • Patent number: 7758008
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail including a base bottom portion, first inner and outer side portions, upper portions, and second inner and outer side portions, an upper rail movably supported relative to the lower rail and including a base top portion, first inner and outer extending portions, connecting portions, and second inner and outer extending portions, a lock mechanism including a lock portion provided at the first inner side portion, a bracket, and a lock member engageable with and disengageable from the lock portion, a cutout portion formed across the base top portion and the first inner extending portion and into which the lock member is inserted, and through-holes provided at the second inner extending portion and the bracket, respectively, the through-holes into which the lock member is inserted while the lock member is engaging with the lock portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7735798
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism including multiple lock portions provided on the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a spindle provided on the upper rail and having a rotation axis that extends in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail, and a lock member rotating about the rotation axis and engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions. The spindle is supported by a recess portion formed in a surface of the upper rail in an inwardly extending manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7722006
    Abstract: A catch device of a lengthwise adjustment mechanism of a motor vehicle seat comprises a first pair of rails and a second pair of rails, each having a bottom rail and a seat rail. A first detent ledge is associated with the bottom rail and comprises first detent openings and first detent webs. A first stopper unit is disposed in proximity to the first detent ledge and cooperates therewith, comprises two stopper teeth for engaging the first detent openings independently of one another and for disengaging therefrom together and is associated with the seat rail of the first pair of rails. A second detent ledge is associated with the bottom rail of the second pair of rails and comprises second detent openings and second detent webs. A second stopper unit is disposed in proximity to the second detent ledge and cooperates therewith, comprises a stopper means for engaging and disengaging the second detent openings and is associated with the seat rail of the second pair of rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Beneker, Burkhard Becker
  • Patent number: 7717392
    Abstract: A simple, compact and easy-to-assemble slide rail unit is provided. The slide rail unit reliably restrains right and left rails from sliding even when the right and left rails are installed onto the vehicle floor at an inclination angle different from each other in a longitudinal direction thereof. The slide rail unit includes a slide rail member having an upper rail member and an upper rail member slidably engaged with each other and a lock lever rotatably pivoted to the upper rail member so as to engage with/disengage from an engagement portion formed on the lower rail member. The slide rail unit also includes an operation lever connected to the lock lever within the slide rail member. Between the lock lever and the operation lever, a leaf spring member is disposed for connecting the lock lever and the operation lever therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sakakibara, Mitsunao Koumura
  • Publication number: 20100090084
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding apparatus includes: a first rail adapted to be fixed to any one of a vehicle floor and a seat; and a second rail adapted to be fixed to the other one of the vehicle floor and the seat and adapted to be connected to the first rail so as to be capable of relative movement with respect to the first rail. The first rail includes: a pair of side wall portions juxtaposed on both sides in terms of the widthwise direction; a connecting wall portion connecting proximal ends of the both side wall portions; and first folded-back wall portions protruded from distal ends of the both side wall portions in the widthwise direction and then folded back toward proximal end sides of the side wall portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Genta MORIYAMA, Yasuhiro KOJIMA, Hideo NIHONMATSU, Yoshihisa HORI, Mikihito NAGURA
  • Patent number: 7677520
    Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinal guide for an automotive vehicle seat with a surrounding rail (20), a surrounded rail (50), a free longitudinal channel (72) being formed between said rails and a first lateral encompassing area (68) and a second lateral encompassing area (70) located diagonally opposite said first lateral encompassing area being provided, with said surrounding rail (20) forming an outer grip around said surrounded rail (50) and the roll bodies (73-75) being disposed in a respective one of said areas, with guide channels for the roll bodies (73-75) being formed between the rails in the encompassing areas (68, 70). One guide channel (76) only is formed in the first encompassing area (68) while two guide channels (77, 78) are formed in the second encompassing area (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Beneker, Burckhard Becker
  • Patent number: 7669826
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat, rolling engagement members disposed between the lower rail and the upper rail for making the upper rail to be movable relative to the lower rail in a longitudinal direction thereof, and two retainers arranged between the lower rail and the upper rail along a longitudinal direction thereof and each including a notch. The rolling engagement members are rotatably held at a front end portion and a rear end portion of the retainer. In addition, the lower rail includes a first engagement projection engaging with front end and rear end surfaces of the notch in response to a sliding movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hayakawa, Yasuhiro Kojima, Yukifumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7669825
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for vehicles is provided. The seat sliding apparatus includes a track and a guide bracket with legs connected to stepped locking pins to regulate the locked state of the locking pins which engage the track. In one embodiment, the track includes through-holes which are engaged by the locking pins. Accordingly to another aspect of the apparatus, a plastic bushing is provided to prevent horizontal/vertical floating of the locking pins, thereby minimizing the play of the locking pins and prevent floating. The apparatus also may simultaneously prevent a half-locked state of the locking pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yong Bok Sung
  • Patent number: 7665791
    Abstract: In a seat sliding device having a lock mechanism disposed within an inner space defined by an upper rail and a lower rail, to tilt a lock lever from the inner space toward the outside of the rails, a torsion bar 40 is used as urging means for urging the lock lever 31 in the lock mechanism 30. When an operation lever 50 is in its inoperative state, the lock lever is urged by torsional force of the torsion bar in its locking direction, claws 32 are fitted into engaging holes 11a and 21a, from the inside of the lower rail 10 and upper rail 20 toward the outside of the rails, to be placed in its locking position. When the operation lever is operated, the lock lever is tilted against the torsional force of the torsion bar, the fitted state with the claws being fitted into the engaging holes of both rails is released, to make the upper rail movable relative to the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Masatoshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7665704
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a seat rail apparatus, which is capable of locking/unlocking forward/backward sliding of a seat for vehicle in a stepless manner with a simple structure, at an inexpensive cost. A brake disk 51 is attached to the front end of a slide screw 5, which is screwed with a nut 4 disposed within a lower rail 2 and an upper rail 3. A lock mechanism 6 comprises rollers 63 and 64, springs 65 for imparting a force to the rollers in the peripheral direction and a supporting member 61 disposed with the rollers and the springs therein. The springs 65 impart a force to the brake disk 51 and the supporting member 61 to bring the rollers 63 and 64 into a friction engagement; thus the rotation of the slide screw 5 can be locked. Owing to first and second engagement plates 81 and 82, the rollers 63 and 64 are caused to roll against the force imparted by the springs 65, and are released from the friction engagement; thus the slide screw 5 can be unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Mitsunao Koumura
  • Patent number: 7665703
    Abstract: A seat device for a vehicle comprises a lower rail fixed on the vehicle floor so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, an upper rail mounted to the lower rail so as to be slidable and supporting a seat body, a first lock mechanism for locking the upper rail at a first position to the lower rail and a second lock mechanism being locked for limiting the upper rail at a predetermined position so as not to move further back than the predetermined position when the upper rail is unlocked by means of the first lock mechanism, the second lock mechanism being unlocked when the upper rail is locked by means of the first lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7661647
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide device includes a lower rail formed so as to include a first opening portion opening upward and fixed at a vehicle floor, an upper rail supported by the lower rail through the first opening portion so as to be slidable and supporting a vehicle seat, a screw member provided between the upper rail and the lower rail so as to extend in a sliding direction thereof, a nut member fixed at the lower rail and threadedly engaged with the screw member, a covering member formed so as to include an upper wall covering the first opening portion and fixed at the lower rail, a driving mechanism generating a driving force by which the screw member is rotated relative to the nut member so that the upper rail slides relative to the lower rail and the screw member positioned below the upper wall of the covering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sadao Ito
  • Patent number: 7658360
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes multiple lock portions provided at the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a lock member provided at the upper rail and rotating about a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail so as to be engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions, and a bracket for supporting the lock member in a direction of the rotation axis. The seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle further includes a deflection preventing member for preventing a deflection of the bracket in the direction of the rotation axis and being integrally provided at the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Publication number: 20100006733
    Abstract: A seat track mechanism for a vehicle, includes a lower rail mounted to a vehicle floor; an upper rail supported by the lower rail and slidable relative to the lower rail; and spherical rotators held between the lower and upper rails, the spherical rotators rolling via a sliding movement of the upper rail. One of the upper rail and the lower rail includes at least one horizontal flat portion parallel to a widthwise direction of the seat track mechanism and parallel to a direction of the sliding movement of the upper rail, and the other of the upper rail and the lower rail includes at least one rotator supporting recess having a circularly arcuate shape in cross section which is uniform in a lengthwise direction of the seat track mechanism, the spherical rotators being held between the rotator supporting recess and the horizontal flat portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Hidehiko Fujioka, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Kanji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7637469
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus includes a lower rail, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and mounted on the lower rail to move, a lock mechanism having a lock lever for locking the upper rail with the lower rail, a slide supporting member disposed between the rails, a sliding portion provided at both the rails, with which the slide supporting member contact, lock portions provided at one of the rails facing each other, another lock portion provided at the other one of the rails locating between the lock portions, the lock lever being fitted into at least one of the lock portions. The sliding portion of the upper rail is formed along a longitudinal direction over an entire length of the upper rail and the lock portions of the upper rail are arranged at one of an upper side and a lower side of the sliding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7604214
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a lock portion provided at the lower rail, a lock member which is engageable with and disengageable from the lock portion and a first biasing member for biasing the lock member in a direction to be engaged with the lock portion. The seat slide apparatus for a vehicle further includes a releasing lever for releasing the lock member from being engaged with the lock portion and a second biasing member for maintaining the releasing lever at a neutral position. According to the seat slide apparatus for the vehicle, the first biasing member and the second biasing member are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7600816
    Abstract: A memory device, for a rail longitudinal guide for a motor vehicle seat, comprising two longitudinal guide rails displaceable towards each other, for the setting of the longitudinal seat position, a first memory module, which may be displaced along one of the two guide rails to set a memory position, a locking device for locking a set memory position, a second memory module, arranged on the second of the guide rails and a stop which, on reaching a relative position of the two guide rail corresponding to one of the memory positions, engages with a counter stop on the first memory module. The second memory module comprises a base body made from plastic, by which the latter is fixed to the second guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Andrea Bauersachs, Andreas Prause, Gregor Kröner, Wolfgang Suck, Alwin Macht
  • Publication number: 20090218469
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism is provided for retaining a slide rail to a chassis with an anchor member extending from a side thereof. The rail includes a mounting slot defined therein for receiving the anchor member of the slide rail. The mounting mechanism includes a resilient retaining member secured to the slide rail and a releasing member pivotably engaged with the retaining member. The retaining member includes a protrusion formed thereon capable of retaining the anchor member in the mounting slot of the slide rail. The releasing member is capable of being pivoted to urge the retaining member to disengage the protrusion thereof from the anchor member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD ., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MO-MING YU, HAI-CHEN ZHOU, SONG WANG
  • Patent number: 7581706
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) system suitable for use in any number of environments, including but not limited to latching and unlatching vehicle seat tracks. The system including any number of configurations to support any number of operations, including but not limited to push-push, pull-pull, push-pull, and pull-push operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Kennedy, H. Winston Maue, John F. Nathan
  • Patent number: 7506856
    Abstract: In a seat slide device applicable to an automotive vehicle, a lock mechanism includes: a lock arm disposed on an upper rail to be pivotable around a pivotal center axis; lock pawls formed on the lock arm along the elongate direction of the upper rail; lock holes formed on a lower rail and the upper rail, the lock pawls being inserted through the lock holes to lock the upper rail with respect to the lower rail; a pair of slits formed at predetermined front-and-rear positions of a side surface of the upper rail; and a bearing bracket, the bearing bracket and the lock arm being disposed within an enclosed space between the upper rail and the lower rail and including a pair of bearing portions and both ends of the lock arm and the pair of bearing portions being disposed within inner spaces defined by the pair of slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Ikegaya, Takuji Soga
  • Patent number: 7503614
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle, includes: restraining means for restraining a sliding movement of an upper rail in a front-rear direction of a seat and having a first projection preformed at the upper rail and second projections preformed at a lower rail before assembling the upper and lower rails; and a slide supporting member disposed between the upper rail and lower rails, supporting the upper rail to be slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the lower rail and positioning the upper rail to the finally assembled position in the vertical direction. The lower rail and the upper rail are structured in a way that an interval between the first projection and each second projection along the vertical direction in which the upper rail moves between the insertion position and the finally assembled position is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Publication number: 20090032670
    Abstract: A sliding-type automobile seat comprising a seat cushion frame, a slide rail mechanism for allowing the seat to be slidingly moved, slide lock mechanisms for causing the seat to be releasably locked at predetermined positions, a substantially U-shaped operating lever for causing the seat to be released from a locked state, and connection mechanisms for causing both end portions of the substantially U-shaped operating lever to the slide lock mechanisms, the slide rail mechanism comprising a pair of parallel lower rails mounted on a floor surface of an automobile, and a pair of parallel upper rails attached to a lower portion of the seat cushion frame and slidably engaged with the pair of parallel lower rails, each of the slide rock mechanisms comprising a lock member swingably mounted to a corresponding upper rail and urged upward at one end portion thereof by a spring, the lock member including a first engaging member, and a second engaging member provided at a corresponding lower rail, the first engaging mem
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masami Yoshida, Kazuyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 7475861
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a seat rail for vehicles. The seat rail of this invention eliminates gaps between a lower track and an upper track in horizontal and vertical directions, and distributes a load transmitted through the upper track, thus improving overall durability. The invention reduces the number of parts required, thus reducing the cost of a product and the working hours, realizing a light product, reducing fuel consumption, improving operational performance, reducing operational noise, and improving operating sensation. Further, the invention secures strength sufficient to support bending moment of the upper track, which is a concern during a head-on collision or a rear-end collision, thus maximizing the safety of passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Dymos Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Ho Chung, Jin Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7434884
    Abstract: The forwardly movable vehicle seat has an underframe including a longitudinal adjusting device that has two pairs of rails, two catch devices and one actuation lever for actuating the catch devices. The vehicle seat further has a seat pan that is carried by the underframe. The seat pan includes a seat back that is pivotal about a seat back axis and on which there is disposed a release lever. In the actuation state, the seat back is unlocked for tilting, the actuation lever being actuated and the catch device unlocked when the seat back is tilted forward so that the seat can be brought from an initial position to a forwardly moved position. There is provided a memory mechanism that ensures that the seat, when being moved back from its forwardly moved position, resumes its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: C. Rob Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burkhard Becker, Reinhard Vogel