Having Rail Patents (Class 296/65.13)
  • Patent number: 7717487
    Abstract: A seat holding portion structure has a side member that extends substantially in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The side member has a kick portion whose front and rear end sides are bent and that joins a front portion and a rear portion of the side member that are offset in a vehicle vertical direction. A floor reinforcement is installed within the side member from an opening portion of a vehicle body floor. A rear end portion of an elongated seat holding member is inserted in the floor reinforcement. A connecting body having a closed cross-sectional structure is fixed to a rear end portion of the seat holding member and is disposed at a rear end side bent portion of the kick portion, and, together with the floor reinforcement, is mounted to the side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 7708330
    Abstract: A device for mounting a driving robot in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having two driver's seat tracks and a floor, utilizing the two seat tracks of the driver's seat for anchoring purposes, the device including: a length-adjustable adapter plate that engages into both seat tracks in a hook-like manner; at least one first locking element for locking the adapter plate in the seat tracks; and at least one second height-adjustable locking element for bracing the adapter plate against the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Dieter Staehle
  • Patent number: 7708331
    Abstract: A seat slides in a vehicle longitudinal direction between a pair of wheel houses projecting inside a vehicle compartment, and slides in s vehicle width direction at a portion which is in front of the wheel houses. The seat takes a first position in which its outside portion overlaps with the wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, and a second position in which its rear portion overlaps with the wheel houses in the vehicle longitudinal direction. There is provided a rearward-slide restriction device operative to restrict rearward slide of the rear seat in the first position. Accordingly, there is provided a seat device of a vehicle which can prevent any improper interference of the seat with the wheel houses, ensuring a proper long slide function of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20100102192
    Abstract: Disclosed is a slide locking mechanism for a seat, which comprises at least five locking pieces, a plurality of first latch portions and a plurality of second latch portions. An opening width of a hole of each of the first latch portions in a longitudinal direction of a lower rail is equal to a width of each of the locking pieces in the longitudinal direction, and an opening width of a hole of each of the second latch portions in the longitudinal direction is greater than the opening width of each of the holes of the first latch portions. The first latch portions and the second latch portions are alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Tarusawa, Yasuhito Domoto, Hiroyuki Wakayama
  • Publication number: 20100090082
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat sliding apparatus of the type wherein rotating an operating lever causes a lock lever to allow an upper rail to slide along a lower rail, the operating member is supported by a supporting bracket fixed to the upper rail to rotate about a fulcrum which is in the form of a plate of the bracket. The operating lever is provided with a slit into which a spring is fitted for being urged. The bracket also holds the spring. To avoid an engagement between the plate and the slit when the operating lever passes during an assembly of the apparatus, the plate is configured to incline relative to the slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Ryousuke Mizuno, Genta Moriyama, Mikihito Nagura, Taku Harada
  • Patent number: 7686367
    Abstract: A seat storage assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a floor, a roof, and a rear liftgate extending between the floor and the roof. A pair of spaced apart and parallel tracks is disposed along the floor and extends between fore and aft ends. A recess is formed in the floor rearward of the aft ends of the tracks. A second row seat is slidably engaged and pivotally coupled to the tracks for moving between forward and rearward seating positions, and a stowed position within the recess. A third row swing seat is pivotally coupled to the roof for moving between a seating position and a raised stowed position. Moving the third row swing seat into the raised stowed position enables the second row seat to move between the forward and rearward seating positions, and the stowed position within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Colin G. Neale
  • Patent number: 7686368
    Abstract: A system and method to configure the back seats of a passenger vehicle to provide easy vehicle ingress and egress and to configure the back seats for a flat or near flat load (cargo) floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ioan Ghergheli, Antonio Buccinna
  • Publication number: 20100052386
    Abstract: A vehicle has an area capable of seating ambulatory passengers and alternatively receiving a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair. The area provides tracks for mounting at least two movable seats that can be moved to provide space in the area for the mobility aid. The tracks are provided with track covers that reduce maintenance requirements by preventing entry of debris. One of the seats is configured to move further than the other whereby the spacing between the seats after moving to accommodate a mobility aid is less than the spacing of the seats when used by ambulatory passengers. The seat configured to move further has a longer track cover, but the tracks are laterally spaced to avoid engagement between the track covers of the two seats whereby they can be moved to be spaced from each other by a distance less than the length of either of the track covers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Randy R. Phinney
  • Publication number: 20100052392
    Abstract: The invention discloses an adjusting apparatus for adjusting vehicle seat. The adjusting apparatus of the invention includes a first guiding rail, a base and a supporting member. The first guiding rail is mounted on a floor of a vehicle. The base further includes a first sliding portion, slidably disposed in the first guiding rail; a receiving base disposed on the first sliding portion; and a rotation-guiding groove. The supporting member further includes an axle rotatably mounted in the receiving base; and a guiding wheel movably disposed in the rotation-guiding groove. When the first sliding portion slides in the first guiding rail, the base and the supporting member slide opposite to the first guiding rail. Additionally, when the axle rotates in the receiving base, the guiding wheel moves along the rotation-guiding groove, so that the supporting member rotates opposite to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: RED HEART ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ching-Yung Lung, Hsiu-Chu Shen
  • Patent number: 7669824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for adjusting motor vehicle seats comprising a spindle (5) fixed to a first (4) of two rails (3, 4) which are adjustable with respect to each other with the aid of holding devices (60) arranged on the end of the spindle (5). A transmission (9) actuated by a motor (2) is placed on the second rail (3), According to id invention, the holding devices (60) comprise an external bowl-shaped supporting surface (66) in which each end of the spindle (5) is fixedly mounted, respectively. Said solution is more advantageous in comparison with conventional holding devices which are embodied in the form of flexible stamped parts, in particular the inventive holding devices exhibit a high resistance in the case of crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: IMS Gear GmbH, Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Woehrle, Hans Dropmann, Andreas Gapp, Urban Knoepfle, Stefan Wetzig
  • 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: 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: 20100026070
    Abstract: The runner comprises a mechanical locking system and a memorization system, comprising: a locking bar, a locking device that is movable between a normal position and a locking position in which it cooperates with the locking bar, an electromagnetic actuator that moves the locking device to its locking position when it receives a command from a control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Rene Rohee, Francois Baloche
  • Patent number: 7654602
    Abstract: A reclining seat for use in a material handling vehicle includes a seat back that is pivotally coupled to a wall of the operator compartment and to a seat pad. The seat pad is moveable toward a center of the operator compartment to provide the capability to recline, and is typically maintained in the upright position by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Smiley, Robert Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100019525
    Abstract: A walk-in memory apparatus for an automobile seat locks the seat on a body only after the seat moves past a preset reference point when the seat, moved forwards with a seat back folded up by a seat walk-in apparatus, moves backwards with the seat back unfolded. The walk-in memory apparatus causes the entire seat to move forwards along tracks in an unlocked state when the seat back is folded up. The seat includes a track memory unit which, when the seat moves backwards with the seat back unfolded, causes the seat to be unlocked from the track when the stopper bracket is located ahead of a reference stopper and to be locked on the track when the stopper bracket is located behind the reference stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, DAEWON PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jang Jae Yong, Yoo Jong Moon, Lee Byung Jae, Seo Sang Man, Kim Eun Sue
  • Publication number: 20100001546
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a mounting device for fastening a chair or seat to a groove (41), said groove comprising engagement means (45), where the mounting device comprises locking means (20) prepared for entering the groove and for being moved along the longitudinal axis of the groove; said locking means having means (23) for engaging with the engagement means (45) of the groove. The mounting device further comprises positioning means (30) for finding a position of the mounting device where the locking means will be able to engage with the engagement means of the groove. The mounting device comprises a first cam (22) for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the locking means with said engagement means; a second cam (32) for switching the positioning means into an active position, where the positioning means extend into the groove in selected parts (46) thereof, and one shaft (5) for rotating both the first and the second cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: MARTECH HOLDINGS A/S
    Inventor: Martin Christensen
  • Publication number: 20090314916
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat slide device including bearings for a handle, which enables to assemble the handle for releasing a lock mechanism to the upper rails with greater ease, prevent the occurrence of the noise in handle operation, and absorb dimensional errors in manufacturing between the handle and the upper rails to assure proper operation. The seat slide device includes a handle 12 rotatably supported in the 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 26 having an outer edge portion 40 disposed between the upper rail and the radial projection portion formed at the handle, a holding portion 30 disposed between the upper rail and the outer periphery of the handle, and a cushioning portion 38 allowing the handle to move in an axial direction, wherein the bearing member 26 is disposed to fit into the holding hole for supporting the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Masatoshi Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20090309383
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat (1), particularly a motor vehicle seat, having at least one bottom rail (21) to be connected to the vehicle chassis (S), at least one upper rail (22) displaceable in the seat longitudinal direction relative to the bottom rail (21) for the seat longitudinal adjustment, at least one fitting base (17), which is attached at least on the upper rail (22), and one backrest structure (14), which is attached by means of at least one fitting (15) in a manner that is pivotable about a backrest pivoting axis (C), the fitting base (17) is hinged on the upper rail (22) by means of a joint (E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Ingo Teufel, Kai Schumann
  • Patent number: 7628441
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting system for a vehicle seat, wherein the adjusting system includes a bottom rail that is attached to the vehicle, a top rail that can be rigidly attached to the seat and that can move along the bottom rail, and a memory module that is attached alternately to the seat or to the vehicle and that can move along the bottom rail. The memory includes a movable safety catch for forming a positional locking mechanism with the bottom rail, and a means for forming a positional locking mechanism with a movable seat-mounted control lever. The safety catch can be actuated by the seat-mounted control lever and is mounted in a cam-controlled manner so as to be able to rotate in an open bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Ingo Quast
  • Patent number: 7621580
    Abstract: An emergency response type vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises an operator compartment, a body supported rearward of the operator compartment and having at least one side wall, a guide structure supported at the side wall and extending substantially parallel with the side wall, and a seat assembly movably coupled to the guide structure. The seat assembly has a backrest that is substantially parallel with the side wall. The seat assembly is selectively positionable about the guide structure to provide a movable (e.g., repositionable, reconfigurable, adjustable, adaptable, etc.) seating system within the vehicle so that an attendant can access different areas of the vehicle while remaining seated and restrained in a seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Pierce Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Randjelovic, Jesse Knoble, Jeff Schwyn, Matt Schreiner
  • Patent number: 7618076
    Abstract: The inventive seat for a motor vehicle comprises a cushion (8), a lower connecting device (13) for connecting the cushion to the lower element (2) of the vehicle structure and a backrest (9), said seat being designed in such a way that the position thereof is ergonomically adjustable. The seat also comprises another upper connecting device (16) for connecting the upper part (15) thereof to the upper element (17) of the vehicle structure, the upper connecting device (16) forms an upper connection which makes it possible to ergonomically adjust the seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Mathieu Meynet, Jean Pierre Guignard, Dominique Cabrie, Jerome Makala
  • Patent number: 7614680
    Abstract: A passenger's weight measurement device 1 comprises a left and right pair of fixed lower rails 3 which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails 4 which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail 3, load sensors 50 and 60 which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 which are disposed on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, a sub frame 110 which is mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80, side frames 141 and 142 which are welded to the sub frame 110, and a pan frame 143 which is detachably disposed to the side frames 141 and 142 to cover the front of the side frames 141 and 142.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 7614597
    Abstract: A seat slide for a vehicle, including a lower rail fixed to a floor of the vehicle, an upper rail fixed to a seat of the vehicle, a lock plate disposed within an inner space between the lower and upper rails and secured to the lower rail, a latch lever with a pawl which is disposed within the inner space and pivotally supported by the upper rail, and a position sensor for detecting a position of the upper rail relative to the lower rail, the position sensor being mounted to the upper rail such that a sensing portion thereof is disposed within the inner space and opposed to the lock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignees: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd., Tachi-S Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Yoshihiro Kanda, Harutoshi Fujii, Koji Uno
  • Patent number: 7600802
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a first rail secured to a floor of the vehicle, a second rail relatively movable to the first rail, a lock member for restricting a movement of the second rail relatively to the first rail, an operational member for engaging with the lock member, a memory release member operable with the operational member, a release member for engaging with the lock member, and a memory member of which a movement relative to the floor of the vehicle can be restricted. When a restriction of the movement of the second rail is released by the operational member, the memory release member releases a restriction of the movement of the memory member. When the restriction of the movement of the second rail is released by the release member, the movement of the memory member is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7597376
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a central support element, fixed essentially vertically in a vehicle cabin to which the seats are fitted. The seat assembly includes connector bodies arranged at one end of the support element for fixing to a part of the cabin, the connector bodies permitting a displacement of the assembly along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s
    Inventors: Jerome Makala, Dominique Cabrie
  • Publication number: 20090243325
    Abstract: A seat row assembly is provided, having a first rail and a first seat movably connected to the first rail. A second seat is moveable between a first position and a second position, such that the second seat in its second position does not occupy the same space as in its first position. The first seat is configured to selectively move from a first position into a second position, in which it occupies space occupied by the second seat in its respective first configuration. A second rail, perpendicular to the first rail, is movably connected to the first rail such that the first seat is selectively movable along both the first rail and the second rail. The seats may be configured to fold to a collapsed configuration. A method of allowing access to a third row of seats in a vehicle having a second row of seats is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
  • Publication number: 20090230712
    Abstract: A seat arrangement is provided for an automobile comprising a vehicle seat, a longitudinal guide for displacement of the vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse guide for displacement of the vehicle seat in the transverse direction. A forced guidance is furthermore provided, this being configured in such a manner that during displacement in the longitudinal or transverse direction, the vehicle seat is automatically also displaced in the transverse or longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jurgen MAIER, Jens WINTER, Thomas DILL, Heinrich HAMMANN, Viktor ENNS, Ulf SCHAFFLING
  • Publication number: 20090218468
    Abstract: A mechanism for locking rails of a motor vehicle seat including a first rail joined to a structure element along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a second rail sliding in the first rail and supporting the seat frame of the seat, a first cross-bar pivoting in the second rail along an axis essentially perpendicular to the two rails coaxially held in a desired position relative to one another via a return mechanism of the first cross-bar, and a second cross-bar, which includes a first protuberance oriented toward the front of the seat and a second protuberance oriented toward the rear of the seat, connected to the first cross-bar so that the longitudinal displacement of the seat is controlled by the two protuberances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Renault S.A.S
    Inventor: Michel Martel
  • Publication number: 20090218843
    Abstract: A longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a first support member that is attachable to a vehicle, and a second support member that is moveable with respect to the first support member and configured to support the seat such that the seat is movable with the second support member. One of the support members has first and second lock portions that face each other, and the other support member has a third lock portion that is configured to be located between the first and second lock portions. The apparatus further includes a locking member that is movable generally vertically with respect to the support members between a locked position and an unlocked position for locking and unlocking the second support member with respect to the first support member. When the locking member is in the locked position, the locking member extends into the first, second and third lock portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Wojatzki, Klaus Walter, Joerg Sternberg, Andre Schebaum, Marc Laumeier, Hans-Peter Mischer
  • Patent number: 7566086
    Abstract: A seat mounting system for a vehicle comprises an elongated track mounted to a floor of the vehicle and a number of seat coupling members. The elongated track defines a length and a continuous first channel along its length. Each of the number of seat coupling members is configured to be received and retained within the first channel anywhere along the length of the elongated track, and to be secured to a vehicle seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry E. Gray, Christopher W. Foye
  • Patent number: 7562926
    Abstract: A walk-in device for a vehicle seat moved forward in conjunction with forward folding of a seatback. A lifting mechanism adjusts a surface height of a seat cushion, a reclining mechanism adjusts an inclination angle of a seatback that moves up and down together with the seat cushion, and a seat sliding mechanism remains at the same height regardless of the vertical position of the seat cushion and is used to adjust the longitudinal position of the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat is moved forward by the seat sliding mechanism in conjunction with the seatback being folded forward by the reclining mechanism, and a rigid member joining link connects a seatback coupling link, provided to the seatback and operating according to the forward-folding operation, and a slide lock releasing link, provided to the seat sliding mechanism and releasing the vehicle seat from being fixed in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7564234
    Abstract: A seat position detecting apparatus includes a fixed rail fixed on a vehicle floor, a movable rail at which a vehicle seat is supported for sliding on the fixed rail, and a position detecting mechanism directly mounted at one of either the fixed rail or the movable rail for detecting a relative position between the fixed rail and the movable rail by detecting the other of either the fixed rail or the movable rail, wherein a first engaging mechanism is provided at either the fixed rail or the movable rail at which the position detecting mechanism is mounted, and a second engaging mechanism provided complementarily to the first engaging mechanism engages with the first engaging mechanism through the position detecting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Endoh, Satoru Tagawa, Yoshitaka Koga, Yasuhiro Kojima, Takashi Suzuki, Hiroshi Tamura, Yasunori Hasegawa, Masato Ohchi
  • Patent number: 7533936
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a coupling member 12 coupling a front end of a seat-cushion frame 2 to an upper rail 11, a rear link member 23 provided in a rear end of the seat-cushion frame 2, and a support member 24 provided on the side of a vehicle body to support the rear link member 23. The rear link member 23 includes a pivoted portion 26 pivotally supported by the upper rail 11, a coupled portion 28 coupled to the rear end of the seat-cushion frame 2, and an engaged portion engaged with the support member 24. The support member 24 includes a sliding drive portion (sliding groove 33) which slidably supports the engaged portion of the rear link member 23 to allow the rear link member 23 to be swingingly displaced in conjunction with a longitudinal movement of the seat-cushion frame 2, so as to move the coupled portion 28 in an upward/downward direction to drivingly lift and lower the rear end of the seat-cushion frame 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation, Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd., Toyo Seat Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takushi Ujimoto, Terumi Akazawa, Teiji Hiyori, Keisuke Iida, Tomonori Ohtsubo, Hiroki Uemura
  • Patent number: 7516999
    Abstract: The seat device, disposed on the floor panel in the cabin with the instrument panel, comprises the driver seat, the assistant seat and the rear seat, wherein the assistant seat is foldable and movable forward close to the instrument panel to be located in the stored position where the length of the folded seat is made short, the rear seat is foldable and movable forward to be located in the stored position, and the assistant seat in the stored position and the rear seat in the stored position provide the substantially continuous storage space which is formed by back faces of respective seat backs and of the assistant seat and the rear seat. Thus, both the large space and the roomy cabin for passengers can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Toyota
  • Publication number: 20090079218
    Abstract: A device for detecting the seat occupancy status in a motor vehicle is configured in a seat that is supported to allow movement in a direction on front and rear supports on a seat rail attached to the floor of the motor vehicle. The seat, at the lower end of its backrest, has seat belt anchorage points above the rear supports for mechanical anchorage of a seat belt. Weight sensors assigned to the rear supports are arranged in the force path below the seat belt anchorage points and above the seat rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Frimberger, Henderikus-L. Offerein, Gerald Schicker, Gerd Winkler
  • 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: 20090050772
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7488026
    Abstract: A guard member for a seat installed on the floor of a vehicle and having an adjustment mechanism to move the seat up and down relative to the floor of the vehicle. The guard member includes a first segment fixed to a track mounted on the vehicle floor, an intermediate segment, and a second segment fixed to the seat. A first hinge pivotally couples the first segment to the intermediate segment and a second hinge couples the intermediate segment to the second segment. When the adjustment mechanism moves the seat up relative to the floor of the vehicle, the intermediate member prevents longitudinal access to a space between the raised seat and the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Niko Jovicevic
  • Patent number: 7484786
    Abstract: A rear seat assembly for a truck includes a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat cushion supports an occupant above the floor of the vehicle. The seat cushion has opposite and spaced apart front and rear ends. The seat back supports the back of the occupant while seated on the seat cushion. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion to allow selective angular adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of seating positions. The seat back is also movable between any one of the seating positions and a folded flat position overlying the seat cushion. The rear seat assembly is movable along the floor of the vehicle between a full rear position, where the rear end of the seat cushion is adjacent a rear wall, and a full forward position, where the front end of the seat cushion is spaced apart from the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Rupert Muck, Masroor Fahim, Bill Deming
  • Patent number: 7484787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinal scat adjustment device having an upper rail and a lower rail. The upper rail sits in the lower rail. Between the two rails a spindle is fixedly connected to the lower rail. Drivable on the spindle is a transmission, which can be retained in a specific manner by slotted bridges in the case of a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram-Heinrich Hofschulte, Michael Wöhrle, Frank Probst, Fred Krimmel
  • Publication number: 20090021040
    Abstract: A seat slides in a vehicle longitudinal direction between a pair of wheel houses projecting inside a vehicle compartment, and slides in s vehicle width direction at a portion which is in front of the wheel houses. The seat takes a first position in which its outside portion overlaps with the wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, and a second position in which its rear portion overlaps with the wheel houses in the vehicle longitudinal direction. There is provided a rearward-slide restriction device operative to restrict rearward slide of the rear seat in the first position. Accordingly, there is provided a seat device of a vehicle which can prevent any improper interference of the seat with the wheel houses, ensuring a proper long slide function of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirokazu Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7478861
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle according to the present invention includes a rail in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a seat on the rail and being adjustable in position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The seat includes a rail engaging portion engageable with the rail. The rail engaging portion includes: a support extending downward from the rail engaging portion and contacting the rail; a plurality of projections in a forward direction of the support, the plurality of projections being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction; and a rail holder in a rearward direction of the support, the rail holder holding the rail for longitudinal sliding movement. The rail has a plurality of bar-like parts disposed in a forward direction of the support to extend in a vehicle width direction. The bar-like parts are disposed at certain intervals therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The projections can fittingly receive at least one of the bar-like parts therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 7455343
    Abstract: There is disclosed a passenger's weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, capable of suppressing generation of an initial load. The passenger's weight measurement device includes an upper rail disposed to be movable back and forth on a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor; a load sensor fixed on the upper rail; and a frame disposed on the load sensor and below a vehicle seat, wherein a rod extends from the load sensor to penetrate the frame and to be inserted into an insertion hole formed in a center of a leaf spring, the leaf spring is curved into an angle shape to separate the center of the leaf spring from the frame, a nut is engaged with the rod on the leaf spring, and both hems of the leaf spring abut on the frame in a state that the leaf spring is fastened by the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato, Harutomi Nishide, Tatsuya Yamazaki, Naotaka Kumakiri, Mikihito Kojima, Masashi Yoshifuku, Takashi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7441822
    Abstract: A seat assembly movable in both longitudinal and transverse directions in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion and an adjuster mechanism. The seat cushion has an upper surface for supporting a seated occupant above a floor of an automotive vehicle and an opposite bottom surface. The adjuster mechanism is coupled to the bottom surface of the seat cushion. The adjuster mechanism includes a set of first wheels that allows movement of the seat assembly in a longitudinal direction along tracks on the floor of the vehicle. The adjuster mechanism further includes a set of second wheels that are arranged generally orthogonal to the first wheels to allow movement of the seat assembly in a transverse direction across the tracks and the floor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Christopher Day
  • Patent number: 7434871
    Abstract: There is provided a lower vehicle body structure, in which a floor panel is provided between a pair of side sills extending longitudinally, a tunnel portion extending longitudinally is provided at a central portion of the floor panel, and a seat is provided between the side sill and tunnel portion, wherein there are provided a seat support member outer to support the seat, which extends longitudinally inside the side sill, and a plurality of cross members extending in the vehicle width direction with a specified distance therebetween longitudinally, outside end portions of which are connected to the seat support member outer and inside end portions of which are connected to the tunnel portion. Accordingly, both layout of the seat and sufficient vehicle body rigidity against a vehicle side crash can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Mizuma, Naomune Moriyama
  • Patent number: 7431372
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; and a front end transfer member which supports a front end of the seat cushion movably in a front-rear direction of a vehicle; and a rear end transfer member which supports a rear end of the seat cushion movably in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; wherein the seat cushion is storable in a storage concave part provided in a vehicle floor further to a rear than the seat cushion, and the front end transfer member is provided on a vehicle floor adjacent to the front of the storage concave part, and the rear end transfer member is provided on a vehicle floor adjacent to a side of the storage concave part, or provided on a side interior surface of the storage concave part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Imamura, Yoshinobu Terada, Toshio Yamada, Kazuo Sunaoshi
  • Publication number: 20080238127
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail movable relative to the lower rail and a lock member for restricting the relative movement of the upper and lower rails. The restriction of the relative movement can be released and the lock-released position can be retained. The seat slide device further includes a memory piece detachably engaged with the lower rail and provided in a direction separating from the lower rail and engaging therewith when a seatback is reclined forward, wherein the memory piece is moved in association with the movement of the upper rail by retaining the memory piece at the receiving portion and the shaped portion when the memory piece is separated from the lower rail and wherein the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail at the engaging portion when the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Publication number: 20080238126
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide device includes lower rails, upper rails, screw shafts, nut members, an electric motor and a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is composed of a drive reduction gear mechanism coupled directly to an output shaft of the electric motor, a pair of left and right direction conversion gear mechanisms coupled directly to the screw shafts, and a transmission shaft arranged to pass through an output gear of the drive reduction gear mechanism to be rotatably bodily with the output gear and coupled at opposite ends thereof to respective input gears of the direction conversion gear mechanisms. A lean force bracket is further provided to be secured at opposite ends thereof to the upper rails and supports the drive reduction gear mechanism and both of the direction conversion gear mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Koga, Hirokazu Suzumura, Jueru Shimizu