Roller Or Ball Patents (Class 248/430)
  • Publication number: 20080191116
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to tree stands that accommodate relocation and the like and, more particularly, to a circular base unit with casters which allow a stable rolling motion in combination with casters which allow a stable tilting motion and also including an inner support collar sleeve for providing additional support and preventing bending and damage to the tree's trunk during relocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Erik Bornemeier, Jared Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20080164233
    Abstract: A new boom rest has a cylindrical roller with a V-shaped groove cut into it such that the boom rests at least partially in the groove. The roller is rotatable and made of a self-lubricating resilient non-metallic material. The rotation and the V-shape allow the boom to self-locate onto the roller. The material of the roller and self-locating prevent damage and wear on the roller and the boom. The roller is rotatably mounted on a support structure that is attachable to vehicles that carry booms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Wendell Schroeder, James Aaron Flatebo, Timothy Joseph Davison
  • Publication number: 20080048087
    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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOJIMA, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7331558
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a slider rail for adjusting a longitudinal position of a detachable vehicle seat. The slide rail includes right and left fixed rails capable of being mounted on a vehicle body floor panel in a longitudinal direction and in parallel to each other, and a moving rail installed inside the fixed rails and capable of adjusting the position thereof along the length of the fixed rail. The moving rail includes a plurality of strikers to which a locking device at the lower side of the seat is to be locked and a moving means for being moved inside the fixed rail. The rail comprises a locking assembly for selectively carrying out a locking or a locking-release between the fixed rails and the moving rail, and a locking-release operating means for operating the locking assembly so as to release a locking between the two rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Chan Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 7328877
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a first rail fixedly mounted on a vehicle, a second rail secured to a seat and mounted to be rotatable relative to the first rail, a sliding member arranged between the first rail and the second rail and slidably movable in response to a relative movement between the first rail and the second rail, and a lock member associated with the second rail and movable with the second rail, the lock member provided to be engageable with engagement bores provided at the first rail and the second rail and being biased in a direction to be engaged with the engagement bores, the lock member being accommodated in a space defined by the first rail and the second rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Patent number: 7316442
    Abstract: A detachment prevention device of a seat rail for a vehicle, designed to allow an outer side wall of a lower rail to be extended in the event of a crash and to suppress bent portions from being deformed, thereby ensuring passenger safety. The seat rail comprises a lower rail fixed to a bottom surface of a vehicle body by means of fixing means, an upper rail located on the lower rail and coupled thereto, bent portions formed at both sides of the lower rail and the upper rail, respectively, such that the lower rail is hooked to the upper rail by means of the bent portions, a bracket extended from a center of the upper rail to an upper portion thereof in order to fix a vehicle seat to the upper rail, and a buckle fixed to the bracket to fasten a seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Das Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Chul Jung, Masao Nihei
  • Patent number: 7314204
    Abstract: OBJECT An object of the present invention is to provide such a seat slide apparatus employing substantially box-like shape in cross section, which is small size, light weight and a high strength without increasing the number of component parts and weight or the like. SOLVING MEANS There is employed such a constitution that a substantially box-like shape in cross section is formed by a base portion 11a and right and left vertical walls 11b of an upper rail 11, and a base portion 15d and right and left vertical walls 15e of a locking member 15; and further at the outer side thereof, a substantially box-like shape in cross section identical to conventional shape is formed with the upper rail 11 and the lower rail 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushikigaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Mitsunao Kohmura
  • Patent number: 7309107
    Abstract: A seat track assembly for providing fore and aft movement of a seat along a floor of a motor vehicle includes a lower track fixedly secured to the floor. The seat track assembly also includes an upper track slidingly engaging the lower track and defining an internal channel there between. The upper track is coupled to the seat and allows for sliding movement of the seat along the lower track. In addition, the seat track assembly includes an anchor seated within the internal channel and fixedly secured to the lower track. In addition, the seat track assembly includes a reinforcement bracket seated within the internal channel and fixedly secured to the upper track. The reinforcement bracket selectively engages the anchor in response to a predetermined load to control deformation and prevent separation between the upper and lower tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Smith, Peter J. Famiglietti
  • Patent number: 7293752
    Abstract: A seat track assembly for adjusting a seat assembly of a vehicle includes a first track and a second track that is moveable with respect to the first track. The seat track assembly further includes a latch mechanism associated with the second track, and the latch mechanism is operative to inhibit relative movement of the tracks. The latch mechanism includes multiple triggers that are each pivotable between a locked position in which the trigger is engaged with the first track, and an unlocked position in which the trigger is disengaged from the first track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Peter R. McCulloch, Joseph J. Grajewski
  • Publication number: 20070181769
    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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: DYMOS Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Ho Chung, Jin Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7252278
    Abstract: A vehicle seat linkage assembly includes a rod. The linkage has a first link with an aperture and a second link adjacent but spaced from the first link and having a slot. Additionally, a drive nut is adjacent the rod. The drive nut has a body portion, one end, another end and an aperture engaging the rod. The one end is inserted into the slot and the another end is inserted into the aperture. When the nut is disposed into the slot and aperture, the nut is rotated to engage the slot and the aperture so that the nut cannot be disengaged from the first link and the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Pascal E. Garrido
  • Patent number: 7150441
    Abstract: A runner for a motor vehicle seat comprises a fixed rail, a moving rail, a latch and an actuating element. A retaining device for retaining the actuating element is adapted to co-operate with a longitudinal indexing system on the fixed rail. The retaining device firstly holds the actuating element in an unlocking position over at least one predetermined range of longitudinal positions Further, the retaining device secondly allows the actuating element to move into a locking position outside the at least one predetermined range of longitudinal positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges D'Automobile
    Inventors: Arnault Leguede, Farid Senahdji
  • Patent number: 7147195
    Abstract: An automobile slide adjuster includes a lower rail to be secured to a vehicle body and an upper rail slidably mounted on the lower rail. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed between the upper and lower rails at a lower portion thereof. The upper rail has a plurality of upward protrusions formed on an upper portion thereof and also has an elongated opening formed along a lower edge of each of the plurality of upward protrusions. The upward protrusions are held in sliding contact with a portion of the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yasuharu Danjo, Yasuo Izumi
  • Patent number: 7066521
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a locking guide of a locking device for a vehicle seat. The locking device comprises a lower rail, an upper rail coupled to the lower rail, a locking guide fixed to a bottom surface of the upper rail, a pair of lock members having a plurality of locking protrusions, a plurality of locking grooves engaged with the locking protrusions, and a lock spring. The locking guide is formed by pressing a plate member having a predetermined thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: DAS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Chul Jung, Masao Nihei
  • Patent number: 7048244
    Abstract: A seat track assembly for an automotive seat positioner mechanism includes a threaded spindle fixed at one end to a lower track and a mating nut in a gear case on the spindle mounted to an upper track by a bracket attached thereto. The bracket is stabilized against crash forces by interfit portions on the bracket and side walls of the upper track. The spindle is directly attached to the lower track by fasteners passed through a flattened end of the spindle and a bottom wall of the lower track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Hauck
  • Patent number: 7025319
    Abstract: In a longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat, in particular for an automobile seat, having a first seat rail, a second seat rail that can be made to slide relatively to the first seat rail, rollers (9) arranged between the two seat rails, and at least one ball retainer (11) for retaining the rollers (9), the rollers (9) are arranged at irregular intervals (a,b) in the rails' longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Boris Willems, Hermann Jost, Jürgen Krebs
  • Patent number: 6988719
    Abstract: A stand for movably supporting a workpiece is disclosed. The stand includes a base, a support and a plurality of roller assemblies. The support is releasably connected to the base for permitting the height of the stand to be altered. The roller assemblies are mounted on diverging surfaces which are in turn mounted at oblique angles relative to the support for permitting non-interfering movement of the workpiece relative thereto. Each roller assembly includes a sphere captured within a collar mounted on a selected one of the diverging surfaces for permitting free-rolling movement of the sphere relative to the collar and the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: HTC Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ursell, Timothy Hewitt
  • Patent number: 6981681
    Abstract: A seat slide device includes a lock mechanism swingably supported to a bracket and having a lock piece with lock pawls rotatively biased by a coil spring and engaged/disengaged from lock openings of a lower rail, a spring protrusion formed with the bracket and catching one end of the coil spring, a lock releasing lever formed with the lock piece and catching another end of the coil spring, and a provisional spring protrusion formed with the lock piece and located in the neighborhood of the spring protrusion and catching one end of the coil spring provisionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6974192
    Abstract: There is provided a seat belt anchor attaching structure, comprising a seat adjuster for adjusting a seat position by moving an upper rail attached with a seat cushion relatively to a lower rail, and a seating sensor arranged between the seat adjuster and the floor panel and for detecting a presence or absence of a sitting occupant by a downward force applied to the lower rail. An anchor plate of the seat belt for binding the occupant is fixed on the lower rail thereby eliminating the application of an unnecessary load to the seat sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Miwa, Masami Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6959900
    Abstract: A powered seat sliding apparatus includes a sliding mechanism having a lower rail and an upper rail being movable in a lengthwise direction relative to the lower rail, a feed screw fixedly supported by the upper rail to be rotated around a rotational axis in the lengthwise direction in response to a rotational force of a motor, a slit train provided at both side portions of the lower rail in the lengthwise direction and being engaged with the feed screw, and a feeding mechanism defined between the feed screw and the slit train so as to slidably move the upper rail relative to the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoaki Hoshihara, Sadao Ito, Genta Moriyama, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Patent number: 6945607
    Abstract: A walk-in apparatus of a vehicle seat slide includes an upper rail and a lower rail, a lock plate for locking the upper rail position on the lower rail, a release lever engaging with the lock plate for releasing the locking, a supporting lever engaging the release lever, a reclining plate rotating when the seat back rotates more than a predetermined forward angle, a memory plate on the lower rail within a predetermined range, a first supporting portion on the supporting lever for holding the release lever at a first position where the lock plate unlocks when the supporting lever is out of the memory plate range and a second supporting portion provided on the supporting lever for holding the release lever at a second position and waiting for the upper rail to be locked when the reclining plate disengages with the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 6935692
    Abstract: A seat position detection unit which has a movable member, a stationary member, an attaching member, a position sensor, and a detecting object. In this seat position detection unit, the movable member is attached to a bottom of a seat and is put together with the stationary member so that the movable member is allowed to slide along the stationary member. The position sensor and the detecting object to be detected by the position sensor are provided to the stationary member and the movable member, separately. Here, the stationary member is attached to a floor through the attaching member. One of the position sensor and the detecting object that is attached to the stationary member and the mounting member are provided as a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Harutomi Nishide, Kazutomo Isonaga
  • Patent number: 6935691
    Abstract: Vehicle seat with seat cushion tip-up structure and lock mechanism for slide rail comprising upper and lower rails, wherein the upper rail fixed to the seat is locked and unlocked to the lower rail through the lock mechanism. An unlocking lever provided to the seat cushion is operatively connected via a first connecting link with a first arm element, wherein the first connecting link and first arm element are disposed at the seat cushion. The first arm element is connected with a second arm element disposed outwardly of the seat cushion, the second arm element being operatively connected via a second connecting link with the lock mechanism, wherein the second connecting link is disposed outwardly of the seat cushion. Operating the unlocking lever actuates the lock mechanism to unlock and lock the seat from and to the lower rail, irrespective of whether the seat cushion is tipped up or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Sasaki, Takao Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 6923415
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle is provided which comprises a lower rail, an upper rail and a lock mechanism for releasably locking the upper rail to the lower rail. The lock mechanism includes one or more locking fingers pivotally installed on an upper rail side, a plurality of engaged portions provided to a lower rail side, and a biasing unit for urging the one or more locking fingers in the direction to engage a corresponding number of the engaged portions. The one or more locking fingers and the biasing unit are disposed within a space between the upper rail and the lower rail. The lock mechanism further includes a lock plate having the engagement portions. The lock plate is an independent part, disposed within the space and secured to the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignees: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd., Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yokoi, Masaaki Yokota
  • Patent number: 6874747
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a seat track for vehicles. The fixed rail includes a horizontal bottom fixed piece, a pair of first and second grooves formed by bending both side portions of the fixed piece at a right angle and rounding a center portion of each of the resulting vertical bent portions to have an outwardly convex semi-circular form for allowing balls to be inserted therein, a first end piece formed by downwardly bending a vertical end portion of the second groove by an acute angle, a vertical piece extending upwardly from an upper end of the first groove by a relatively long length, and a second end piece formed by twice bending an upper end portion of the vertical piece at a right angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Yoon Young Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byeong Chan Oh
  • Patent number: 6874746
    Abstract: A motor vehicle runner having one element comprising a fin connected to a base perpendicular to the find, said first runner element comprising first and second sheet metal section members each having a fin wall, the fin walls of the first and second section members touching each other and being fixed together via their main faces to form the fin of the runner element. The first section member further comprises a base wall connected to the fin wall of the first section member by a rounded bend which co-operates with the second section member to define a slot. The runner element further comprises a bridge of material which spans said slot and constitutes a direct rigid mechanical connection between the second section member and the base wall of the first section member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d/Automobile S.A.
    Inventor: Denis Ganot
  • Patent number: 6869057
    Abstract: An upper rail is slidably engaged with a lower rail in a manner to define an elongate enclosed space therebetween. A lock plate is placed in the elongate enclosed space and secured to the lower rail. A latch lever includes a pawl portion and an input arm and is placed in the elongate enclosed space. The latch lever is pivotally connected to the upper rail to pivot between a lock position where the pawl portion is engaged with a part of the lock plate to establish a locked engagement between the lower and upper rails and an unlock position where the pawl portion is released from the lock plate to cancel the locked engagement. The latch lever is pivoted in a direction from the lock position to the unlock position when the input arm is applied with an external force. A spring member is placed in the elongate enclosed space to bias the latch lever to pivot toward the lock position, An opening is formed in the upper rail for having a given part of the input arm projected outward therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Takashi Saitoh, Akira Osanai
  • Patent number: 6857613
    Abstract: A seat slide device in which an upper slide element is slid by a drive unit along a lower track element via a flexible drive transmission element. The drive unit is provided in a floor, and the flexible drive transmission element is arranged between the drive unit and upper slide element, such that a whole drive transmission path assumes a generally “Z” or “inverted Z” shape in plan, or a triangular shape in plan. An auxiliary flexible drive transmission element may be added so that the whole drive transmission path assumes a generally “figure-of-eight” shape in plan. A lock operation/control system is provided to insure precise locking and unlocking of the upper slide element with respect to the lower track element, while simultaneously effecting selective switch-over operation of the drive unit to cause forward and backward movement of the upper slide element along the lower track element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., LTD
    Inventor: Masaaki Yokota
  • Patent number: 6845956
    Abstract: A track assembly for a motor vehicle seat, the track assembly comprising a male track and a female track. An internal space extends longitudinally between the male track and the female track. The cross-section of the internal space varies along the longitudinal axis of the track assembly. A seat equipped with such a track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'automobile S.A.
    Inventor: René Rohee
  • Patent number: 6843532
    Abstract: In a longitudinal adjuster (3) for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a first seat rail (5), a second seat rail (8) that can be slid lengthwise relative to the first seat rail (5), and at least one locking element (12) movably borne in the second seat rail (8), reaching outward at least in certain areas through openings (26, 28) of the second seat rail (8) and cooperating with notches (29) of the first seat rail (5) to lock the longitudinal adjuster (3), at least one marginal layer (22?) of the locking element (12) is softer than a marginal area (28?) of the second seat rail (8) bordering the openings (26, 28) and/or a marginal area of the first seat rail (5) bordering the notches (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Borbe, Heinz Voss
  • Publication number: 20040238712
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a locking device of a seat track for vehicles. The seat track comprises a fixed rail fastened to the bottom plane of a vehicle body and having pin holding holes, and a movable rail adapted to move along the fixed rail in a state wherein a seat is mounted thereon. The movable rail is adapted to be locked to or unlocked from the fixed rail by making use of the locking device mounted thereto. The locking device comprises operating pins laterally mounted to a side wall of the movable rail by penetrating through pin bracket fixing holes formed at the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Byeong Chan Oh
  • Publication number: 20040232299
    Abstract: A linear-motion device has: a slider provided onto a guide rail relatively movably; and a plurality of rolling elements for causing the slider to move relatively in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail; whereby the slider comprising a slider block having rolling-element rolling grooves that oppose to rolling- element rolling grooves formed on the guide rail, and end caps that close both-end openings of the rolling-element rolling paths formed between the rolling-element rolling grooves on the slider block and the rolling-element rolling grooves on the guide rail, and rolling-element return paths for returning the rolling elements, which have rolled in the rolling-element rolling paths, are formed on the slider block, wherein the rolling-element return paths comprises a groove portion formed on an outer surface of the slider block along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, and a cover member for covering the groove portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Soichiro Kato, Takumi Nakagawa, Naoki Inokai, Kazuo Kanazawa
  • Publication number: 20040222347
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a seat track for vehicles. The fixed rail includes a horizontal bottom fixed piece, a pair of first and second grooves formed by bending both side portions of the fixed piece at a right angle and rounding a center portion of each of the resulting vertical bent portions to have an outwardly convex semi-circular form for allowing balls to be inserted therein, a first end piece formed by downwardly bending a vertical end portion of the second groove by an acute angle, a vertical piece extending upwardly from an upper end of the first groove by a relatively long length, and a second end piece formed by twice bending an upper end portion of the vertical piece at a right angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Byeong Chan Oh
  • Publication number: 20040200945
    Abstract: A seat track assembly for an automotive seat positioner mechanism includes a threaded spindle fixed at one end to a lower track and a mating nut in a gear case on the spindle mounted to an upper track by a bracket attached thereto. The bracket is stabilized against crash forces by interfit portions on the bracket and side walls of the upper track. The spindle is directly attached to the lower track by fasteners passed through a flattened end of the spindle and a bottom wall of the lower track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Brent Hauck
  • Publication number: 20040164218
    Abstract: A seat slide device in which an upper slide element is slid by a drive unit along a lower track element via a flexible drive transmission element. The drive unit is provided in a floor, and the flexible drive transmission element is arranged between the drive unit and upper slide element, such that a whole drive transmission path assumes a generally “Z” or “inverted Z” shape in plan, or a triangular shape in plan. An auxiliary flexible drive transmission element may be added so that the whole drive transmission path assumes a generally “figure-of-eight” shape in plan. A lock operation/control system is provided to insure precise locking and unlocking of the upper slide element with respect to the lower track element, while simultaneously effecting selective switch-over operation of the drive unit to cause forward and backward movement of the upper slide element along the lower track element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Yokota
  • Patent number: 6772985
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat rail locking system for a vehicle, installed in a seat rail assembly to permit forward and rearward movement of a seat and maintain the seat in a desired position. The seat rail assembly includes a lower rail which is fastened to a floor panel of a vehicle body, and an upper rail to which the seat is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Daebu Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won Young Lee
  • Patent number: 6767029
    Abstract: A runner for a vehicle seat, comprising a male bar and a female bar that are mounted to move relative to each other over a predetermined stroke, the runner further comprising a detector disposed on one of the male and female bars, and a detectable member disposed on the other of the male and female bars. The male bar is a generally channel section bar including a horizontal web, the female bar is a generally channel section bar including a horizontal web, and the detectable member is formed by a tab that is integral with or secured to the edge of one of the lips of the male bar, the corresponding side wall of the second bar having an opening disposed in correspondence with the detector adapted to detect the presence or the absence of the tab of the male bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Jaudouin, Daniel De Coninck
  • Publication number: 20040108762
    Abstract: In a longitudinal adjuster (3) for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a first seat rail (5), a second seat rail (8) that can be slid lengthwise relative to the first seat rail (5), and at least one locking element (12) movably borne in the second seat rail (8), reaching outward at least in certain areas through openings (26, 28) of the second seat rail (8) and cooperating with notches (29) of the first seat rail (5) to lock the longitudinal adjuster (3), at least one marginal layer (22′) of the locking element (12) is softer than a marginal area (28′) of the second seat rail (8) bordering the openings (26, 28) and/or a marginal area of the first seat rail (5) bordering the notches (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Borbe, Heinz Voss
  • Patent number: 6742753
    Abstract: In a locking device for a vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat with a first component group (12, 16), having at least one locking element (14) for interacting with a first seat rail (5), being pretensioned and movably borne on a second seat rail (8), and a second component group (22, 28) being movably borne relative to the first component group (12, 16) on the second seat rail (8) and acting on the first component group (12, 16) when acted on by a manually operated unlocking element (34), and control elements (20, 26) for controlling the unlocking process of the first component group (12, 16), the component groups (12, 16, 22, 28) are each rigid, and the control elements (20, 26) are arranged between the first component group (12, 16) and the second component group (22, 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Klahold, Joachim Flick, Michael Borbe
  • Publication number: 20040056165
    Abstract: A motor vehicle runner having one element comprising a fin connected to a base perpendicular to the find, said first runner element comprising first and second sheet metal section members each having a fin wall, the fin walls of the first and second section members touching each other and being fixed together via their main faces to form the fin of the runner element. The first section member further comprises a base wall connected to the fin wall of the first section member by a rounded bend which co-operates with the second section member to define a slot. The runner element further comprises a bridge of material which spans said slot and constitutes a direct rigid mechanical connection between the second section member and the base wall of the first section member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Denis Ganot
  • Patent number: 6691970
    Abstract: A seat support having a clevis having an annular base and upper and lower arms rotatably mounted on and extending radially outward from the annular base; at least a first support column extending downwardly from the annular base; seat mounting ball bushings having at least a first laterally extending tongue, the at least first tongue being received by the clevis; and at least a first clevis pin attaching the at least first tongue to the clevis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Aerospace Systems & Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren Dale Sutton, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6691971
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail and a shoe. The shoe includes a base portion attached to an engaging portion of one of the rails and a slide portion slidable along an engaged portion of the other rail. The slide portion and the base portion are integrally formed with one another. The slide portion contacts the base portion when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined load is applied, and the base portion has a surface possessing a shape which increases the contact area with the slide portion when the load increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Takami Terada, Hiroyuki Okazaki, Toshiyuki Tanaka, Hideki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6688574
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding device includes a lower rail adapted to be fixed to the floor of the vehicle, an upper rail adapted to be fixed to the vehicle seat and mounted on the lower rail for forward and rearward movement, and a releasable lock mechanism disposed between the lower rail and the upper rail for locking the upper rail. The lock mechanism has a lock lever disposed within sections of the upper and lower rails and extending forward and rearward, with the lock lever being movably mounted on the upper rail. A nail portion is formed on the lock lever and is adapted to be selectively fitted into engaging holes formed on the upper and lower rails from inside the upper and lower rails toward outside. An urging mechanism is positioned within the sections of the lower and upper rails for urging the lock lever toward its locking condition, and an operating mechanism operates the lock lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Gifu Shatai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Okazaki, Yukifumi Yamada, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Yasuhiko Mori, Takuo Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 6676099
    Abstract: A vehicle seat runner comprising at least one stationary channel section bar whose rear end is engaged snugly in a reinforcing bar made by extruding a light alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Mallard, Michel Timon
  • Publication number: 20030230696
    Abstract: A seat slide device which includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fitted into the lower rail to be slidable relative to the lower rail for supporting a seat, a lock device for fixing the upper rail at an arbitrary position of the lower rail, a lock lever provided in the lock device and rotatably supported on the upper rail, a lock bore formed on the lower rail, a pawl provided on the lock lever for being able to be inserted into the lock bore, and an energy absorbing bore provided on the lower rail and arranged in series with the lock bore and separated from the lock bore by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Takami Terada, Hiroyuki Okazaki, Toshiyuki Tanaka, Hideki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6655739
    Abstract: A sliding rail structure that allows the back and forth travel of the seat with respect to the vehicle floor surface, wherein the sliding rail 4 comprises a lower rail 8 and an upper rail 7 that is mounted on the seat in advance, and a groove 14 longer than the lower rail 8 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the floor panel 9 constituting the vehicle floor surface. The lower rail 8 and an extension 15 that continues from the lower rail 8 are installed in the groove 14, and the upper rail 7 slides inside the lower rail 8 and extension 15. This structure provides both satisfactory dimensional accuracy for installation of the seat and sliding rail as well as a long traveling distance in the longitudinal direction, facilitates passengers to get on and off the vehicle floor, and improves appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6648292
    Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinal seat adjustment system for seats, comprising two pairs of rails (10) which are set apart from each other. Said pairs of rails each consist of two U-shaped rails, an upper rail (11) and a lower rail (12). These two rails (11, 12) can be switched to a locking position or a release position by means of at least one spring-loaded, plate-shaped locking part (21). Said locking part (21) has teeth (15) on two opposite sides, these teeth engaging in recesses (14) or openings (16) in the rails. According to the invention, the edge areas (44) of the tooth-like recesses (14) in the lower rail (12) and/or the edge areas (45) of the slit-like openings (16) in the upper rail (11) are permanently deformable. Consequently, in the locking position, the teeth (15) of the plate-shaped locking part (21) which engage in the openings (16) and recesses (14) deform the edge areas of said opening (16) or recesses (14) in the event of a considerable load, for example in an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Joachim Flick, Michael Borbe, Bernd Gross, Wolfgang Klahold
  • Patent number: 6641104
    Abstract: Longitudinal seat adjustment, especially for the seats of motor vehicles, with two pairs (10) of rails arranged a certain distance apart, each of which consists of two rails, namely, an upper rail belonging to the seat and a lower rail (12) belonging to the floor of the vehicle, and with at least one spring-loaded, movable, plate-shaped locking part (21), which is supported on the upper rail (11) and which, when in its locking position, prevents the upper rail (11) from moving in the lower rail (12). Here the lower rail (12) has tooth-like slots (14), whereas the upper rail (11) is provided with slit-like openings (10), and the locking part (21) carries tooth-like projections (15) along both of its two opposite long sides. According to the invention, one end of the locking part (21) acts on the upper rail (11), whereas the other end of the locking part (21) acts on the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Joachim Flick
  • Publication number: 20030164434
    Abstract: A locking device of a longitudinal adjustment device of a vehicle seat is provided with a catch bar with periodically arranged snap openings and snap studs that is assigned to a bottom rail of the longitudinal adjustment device and is further provided with a locking unit assigned to a seat rail of the longitudinal adjustment device. The locking device has at least two licking pins that can be inserted into the snap openings independent of one another, they can be disengaged only jointly. The locking pins are arranged in a guide member which has a pin bore for each locking pin. The guide member is provided with an area facing the catch bar. Projections projecting toward the catch bar are arranged on this area and extend as a continuation of the pin bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus, Klaus Kautzner
  • Publication number: 20030160143
    Abstract: There is provided a seat belt anchor attaching structure, comprising a seat adjuster for adjusting a seat position by moving an upper rail attached with a seat cushion relatively to a lower rail, and a seating sensor arranged between the seat adjuster and the floor panel and for detecting a presence or absence of a sitting occupant by a downward force applied to the lower rail. An anchor plate of the seat belt for binding the occupant is fixed on the lower rail thereby eliminating the application of an unnecessary load to the seat sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuya Miwa, Masami Tanaka