Held Erect By A Releasable Latch Patents (Class 297/378.12)
  • Patent number: 8141954
    Abstract: A switching mechanism of a vehicle seat includes a base element, an output arm pivotally connected to the base element via a first pivot shaft, an input arm having a force input point and pivotally connected to the output arm via a second pivot shaft as a rotational center, and an input arm biasing member. When a force is applied to the input arm, the input arm can be rotated around the first pivot shaft in the normal rotational direction while contacting the first pivot shaft, so that the second pivot shaft can pivot about the first pivot shaft, thereby rotating the output arm about the first pivot shaft with the input arm to rotate the seat back from a seating position into one of a walk in position and a folded position. The input arm may also be configured to rotate the seat back to the seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kumazaki, Masumi Konaka
  • Publication number: 20120062012
    Abstract: A seatback-motion controller in accordance with the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle seat in a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back mounted for pivotable movement relative to the seat base between an upright use position and a forward-leaning easy-entry position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Miller, Michael Miller
  • Publication number: 20120049560
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base, a seat back, and a striker. The seat back connects with the seat base for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The striker is moveable in a linear direction between a retracted position where the striker is disposed in the seat back and an extended position where the striker extends from the seat back for engaging an associated latch. Movement of the seat back in a first direction, which is toward the seat base, results in the striker moving toward the retracted position. Movement of the seat back in a second direction, which is away from the seat base, results in the striker moving toward the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scheurer, II, Terrie Ellison, Trenton Hobbs, Derek Shane Lindsay
  • Patent number: 8123272
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is taught that preferably include a seat cushion (10), a seat back (20) rotatably connected to the seat cushion via a reclining mechanism (30), front (40) and rear (46) legs removably connecting the seat cushion to a vehicle floor (66), a retracting link (50), an operating member capable of removing the front and rear legs from the floor, and a coupling link (54). The seat back can be rotated forwardly by unlocking the reclining mechanism, so as to be superimposed on the seat cushion. When the front and rear legs are removed from the floor, the seat can be moved from a use condition to a retracted condition depending on the motion of the retracting link. When the seat is moved from the use condition to the retracted condition, the coupling link rotates the front leg based on a displacement of the retracting link, thereby unlocking the reclining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Ito, Yoshihiro Ooishi, Tomohiro Muramatsu, Osamu Fujimoto, Robert Day
  • Patent number: 8113589
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a backrest. The backrest has a first axis of rotation and is rotatable about the first axis through at least 90° from a normal position into a loading position. The backrest has pivoting means and is transferable into an armrest position by the pivoting means. A predominant part of the backrest is mounted higher in the armrest position than in the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Helmut Mildt, James Abraham
  • Patent number: 8109555
    Abstract: A power riser assembly riser assembly includes a rear leg pivotally coupled between a seat assembly and a vehicle floor defining upper and lower axes. A drive linkage is operatively coupled between the seat assembly and floor. A drive mechanism coupled to the drive linkage actuates in a first direction causing the drive linkage to pivot the seat assembly about the lower axis from a seating position to an intermediate position whereat the drive linkage transfers pivotal movement of the seat assembly to the upper axis, thereby moving the seat assembly to the stowed position. The drive mechanism actuates in a second direction causing the drive linkage to pivot the seat assembly about the upper axis from the stowed position to the intermediate position whereat the drive linkage transfers pivotal movement of the seat assembly to the lower axis, thereby moving the seat assembly to the seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
    Inventors: Catherine A. DeVoss, Lei Cao, Matthew J. McLaughlin, Jeffrey P. Carroll
  • Patent number: 8096616
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion coupled between a pair of risers and a seat back pivotally coupled thereto. A pair of front cushion support links and a pair of rear cushion support links are coupled between the seat cushion and the risers for pivotally supporting and guiding the seat cushion. A fold flat mechanism includes a transfer link operatively coupled between the rear cushion support link and the seat back for transferring pivotal movement of the seat back through the transfer link to each of the front and rear seat cushion support links to automatically move the seat assembly between a seating position wherein the seat back is in an upright position and the seat cushion is spaced above the floor, and a stowed position wherein the seat back is pivoted to a fold flat position and the seat cushion is lying flat against the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Seating Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ventura, Bernd Winkelhake, Omar D. Tame, Peter Paul Zeimis, III
  • Publication number: 20110309658
    Abstract: A stroller seat pod includes a seat bottom having front, left side, right side, back, top, and underside; seat back having first piece and second piece, first piece and second piece slidably connected to one another; first piece of seat back being hingedly connected to seat bottom such that seat back and seat bottom have first seat position and second seat position, wherein, in first seat position, seat back and seat bottom have open configuration for sitting, and wherein, in second seat position, seat back and seat bottom have a closed configuration for storage; second piece of seat back being connected to first piece of seat back such that first piece of seat back and second piece of seat back have first backrest position and second backrest position, wherein, in first backrest position, first piece of seat back and second piece of seat back are extended relative to one another to increase seat back area for sitting, wherein, in second backrest position, first piece of seat back and the second piece of seat
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Ascanio Carimati Di Carimate, Andrew Serbinski, Richard Wyant
  • Patent number: 8075059
    Abstract: A portable seating system includes a foldable seating frame and a flexible seating material that is coupled to the seating frame. The foldable seating frame includes a back assembly having at least one semirigid back slat, and a seat assembly that includes at least one semirigid seat slat. The back assembly is coupled to the seat assembly by a locking hinge assembly, and an adjustable grip assembly is coupled to the seat assembly. The locking hinge assembly allows the seating system to fold into a compact unit so that a user can easily carry the seating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: North Pole Limited
    Inventor: Changsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 8075040
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicular frame, a utility bed, a seat back, and a seat bottom. The utility bed is coupled with the vehicular frame. The utility bed comprises a bed frame, a bed floor, and an end wall. The bed floor comprises first and second floor portions. The first floor portion is pivotable between an upright position and a cargo support position. The second floor portion is coupled with the frame. The end wall is movably coupled with the bed frame and is moveable between an erected position and a collapsed position. The seat back is coupled with first floor portion. The seat bottom is coupled with the end wall. When the first floor portion is in the upright position with the end wall in the collapsed position, the seat back and the seat bottom cooperate to provide a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: David W. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20110285193
    Abstract: Lock release assemblies which are accessible at the rear of a rotatable fold-down back of a collapsible home or office chair. The lock release assemblies are adapted to be manually manipulated by the user to control the rotation of the fold-down back from a locked upright position standing vertically above the seat of the chair to an unlocked folded position lying horizontally over the seat in face-to-face alignment therewith. With the back rotated to its folded position, the chair will have a compact, space-efficient configuration which is suitable for storage and/or transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Loomis
  • Patent number: 8061777
    Abstract: A head rest system for an automotive vehicle seat movable between an extended position when the seat back of the vehicle seat is in its upright position and a retracted position when the seat back is in its lowered position. The system includes a seat base, a seat back pivotably attached to the seat base, a head rest movably attached to the seat back by a head rest attachment assembly, and a head rest movement balancing portion. The head rest attachment assembly includes a fixed portion attached to the seat back and a movable portion. The fixed portion includes a spool assembly. The movable portion includes a pair of spaced apart posts attached to the underside of the head rest and a latching assembly. The spaced apart posts are slidably attached to the fixed portion. The head rest movement balancing portion includes a pair of spaced apart constant force springs. Each of the springs has a spool attachment end and a latching assembly attachment end. A cable is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew T. Jensen
  • Patent number: 8061776
    Abstract: A walk-in and folding apparatus for a seat includes a locking link installed on a cushion frame by an elastic hinge, and connected with a locking unit via a first wire so as to, upon rotation, release the locked locking unit, and a walk-in pin installed on a frame of a seat back by another elastic hinge, protruding towards the locking link so as to, upon folding of the frame of the seat back, force the locking link to rotate, and connected with a folding lever in such a manner as to rotate in association with the same so as to, upon a folding action caused by operation of the folding lever, rotate so that it does not interfere with the locking link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chang Ju Gi, Young Bok Sung, Hyeong Jun Kim, Jae Hyun Na, Tae Hoon Lee, Jong Eup Choi
  • Patent number: 8052216
    Abstract: An actuator configured to actuate a member. The actuator optionally including capabilities for storing and releasing kinetic energy. The actuator being suitable for use in any number of environments, including but not limited to facilitating seat folding operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Nathan, H. Winston Maue
  • Patent number: 8052194
    Abstract: There is provided a stowable vehicle seat that can be stowed and restored with improved operability. The stowable vehicle seat has a seat support part for supporting a seat cushion so that the seat cushion is rotatable in the front and rear direction, a seat back having a reclining mechanism that folds over the seat cushion, a stowage recess provided on the vehicle body floor side, a front leg provided on the front side of the seat cushion, a leg locking element that engages and disengages the front leg with and from the vehicle body floor side, a link mechanism connected to the reclining mechanism and the leg locking element, and a strap that operates the reclining mechanism and the leg locking element via the link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Publication number: 20110260518
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a base and a seatback pivotably connected to the base. A latch mechanism holds the seatback in an upright position. A seat latch assembly includes a release mechanism operatively connected to the latch mechanism and including a latch handle. The latch handle is rotatable between a first extended position where the latch handle extends outwardly from an outboard lateral side of the seatback, and a second retracted position where the handle is generally flush with the outboard lateral side of the seatback. Movement of the latch handle from one of the first position and the second position to the other one of the first position and second position occurs upon movement of the seatback to one of the upright position and a stowed position to provide more clearance for interior trim of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Scheurer, II
  • Patent number: 8038217
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle seat capable of performing a tilt-down operation in which a seat back is widely tilted forwardly to be folded on a seat cushion while a seat cushion is moved forwardly and a walk-in operation in which the seat back is half tilted forwardly over a desired angle while the seat is slid forwardly via a slide rail. The seat includes a frame member that is capable of longitudinally sliding via the slide rail and that supports the seat back via a reclining device so as to tilt the seat back back and forth, a front link connecting the seat cushion to the frame member so as to allow the seat cushion to move longitudinally, and an interlock mechanism that can be controlled so as to move or to not move the seat cushion forwardly with respect to the frame member when the seat back is tilted forwardly. At the time of the tilt-down operation, the interlock mechanism is controlled so as to move the seat cushion forwardly when the seat back is tilted forwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Yamagishi, Hideki Uramichi
  • Patent number: 8033608
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with: a rotation lock mechanism for inhibiting or permitting rotation of the both support arms placed at a fixed position relative to base frames and a support arm operation mechanism for actuating the rotation lock mechanism by tilting of a backrest. In the vehicle seat, when the backrest is tilted forward beyond a maximum forward adjustment angle of a reclining angle range, the rotation of the both support arms from the fixed position is permitted. When the backrest is tilted further backward than the maximum forward adjustment angle, the rotation of the both support arms from the fixed position is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Yoshida, Yutaka Iwahori
  • Patent number: 8033607
    Abstract: A seat reclining device for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a lock mechanism and a memory mechanism. The seat reclining device is arranged between a seat cushion frame and a seat back frame, and includes a control shaft associated with operation of an unlock operation lever. The lock mechanism includes a rotating body, which is secured to the seat back frame and is supported to be freely rotatable with respect to the base body. The memory mechanism includes a plate portion having an engaging portion, a holding bracket, which is freely rotatable about a rotational axis that is the same as the control shaft, a memory pole, a restricting portion, which restores the holding bracket to a predetermined initial position, a lever member, which is rotated in accordance with operation of the memory operation lever, and an engagement holding portion, which disengages the memory pole from the plate portion as the holding bracket is restored to the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Patent number: 8024991
    Abstract: An actuator, especially for seat adjusting devices with at least one electrical engine having subordinated reduction gear and a disconnecting device for manual operation. The generic actuator is provided with a disconnecting device that can be used in all operating processes in a large number of different applications and that guarantees reliable functioning of the disconnecting device without being over-dimensioned and thus uneconomical. The disconnecting device has a coupling insertion spring which determines the release force of the disconnecting device and a reset spring is provided which resets an actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Buehler Motor GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Weber
  • Patent number: 8016358
    Abstract: A forward tiltable motor vehicle seat has a seat carrier and a seat back, a hinge mounting is associated with the seat back and comprises an upper hinge arm connected to the seat back and a lower hinge arm hinged about a forward tilt axis to the seat carrier. The seat carrier forms a clamping flank. A cam is provided and is movable between a stop position and a release position. The cam is disposed on the lower hinge arm and rests against the clamping flank in the stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Beneker, Burckhard Becker
  • Publication number: 20110215628
    Abstract: A positioning system is provided for moving a seat back in a vehicle, between a seating position and a cargo storage position. The positioning system includes a release mechanism actuatable between a first position to permit movement of the seat back and a second position to prevent movement of the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William J. Hentges, Vasile E. Bozintan, Tod A. Shivak, Srinivasa N. Sanku
  • Publication number: 20110215627
    Abstract: A seat latch for use in retaining a seat back or other element in a locked position. The seat latch may include a lifting element configured to lift a locking fork into locking engagement with a retaining hook. The lifting element may be a spring that experiences increased tension when the seat back is folded into an upright position. The increased tension can cause the spring to lock the seat back relative to the retaining hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stanislaw Andrzej Wieclawski
  • Publication number: 20110210593
    Abstract: A chair comprising a seat back assembly pivotably mounted to a seat assembly for selective movement between a first, upright position and a second, collapsed position. The chair can be provided with a latching mechanism for securing the seat back assembly in the first, upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ZERO1
    Inventors: Gardner Klaasen, David G. Valdiserri
  • Patent number: 8002355
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a vehicular seat including a seat cushion, a seat back inclinably attached to the seat cushion, and a restricting falling down mechanism. The restricting falling down mechanism restricts the seat back from falling down forward when the seat back falls down from a substantially erected state so that the seat back is maintained in a forward inclining attitude. The restricting falling down mechanism comprises an interference lever pivotably attached to the seat cushion. When the seat back falls down forward from the substantially erected state, the interference lever is squeezed between a member on a side of the seat back and a member on a side of the seat cushion. And the seat back is restricted from falling down forward by the member on the side of the seat cushion via the interference lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kumazaki, Masumi Konaka
  • Publication number: 20110169315
    Abstract: A locking device (1) for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, has a housing (5), a catch (11) mounted in a movable manner on the housing (5) for locking with a mating element (B). At least one safety element (25, 31) is provided for securing the catch (11) in the locked state and can be moved relative to the catch (11) for unlocking the locking device (1). A query device (40) queries the locking state of the locking device (1) and has at least one transducer (41, 42) and at least one sensor (43). The query device (40) is designed in a contactless manner. The transducer (41, 42) and the sensor (43) interact with each other due to the relative positioning and/or movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Norbert Heeg, Andreas Diehl, Markus Dein
  • Patent number: 7971938
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly adapted to perform an easy entry function includes a seat body having a seat bottom and a pivotally connected seat back. The seat body is configured to limit the seat back to pivot through a first angular range that inhibits the seat back from actuating the easy entry function. The seat body is further configured to limit the seat back to pivot through a second angular range that allows the seat back to actuate the easy entry function. The first actuator is provided to actuate the seat back to pivot through the first angular range. A second actuator is provided to actuate the seat back to pivot through the second angular range. The seat back maintains a generally upright orientation as the seat back pivots in a forward direction through the first angular range and the second angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Stanislaw Andrzej Wieclawski
  • Patent number: 7963608
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly operable to perform an easy entry function includes a seat body adapted for attachment to a vehicle, the seat body having a seat back that is pivotally mounted to a seat bottom. A pivot lock mechanism inhibits the seat back from pivoting with respect to the seat bottom when locked. An easy entry actuator associated with the seat body is configured to unlock the pivot lock mechanism when actuated and to retain the pivot lock mechanism in an unlocked state while actuated. A retaining member associated with the easy entry actuator is configured to engage the seat back and to maintain the easy entry actuator in an actuated state after the easy entry actuator has been actuated until the seat back pivots to an angular orientation with respect to the seat bottom that the seat back occupied immediately prior to actuation of the easy entry actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Stanislaw Andrzej Wieclawski
  • Patent number: 7963604
    Abstract: The forwardly movable motor vehicle seat has a seat back (20) and a seat frame with a seat pan. The motor vehicle seat may be moved between a normal position of utilization and a forwardly moved position. An immobilizing device is associated with the seat frame. In particular, the seat back (20) has a seat back hinge (32) and a stopper device (40). The stopper device (40) retains the seat back (20) in the forward tilted position as long as the seat frame is located in a front portion of the travel path. The stopper device (40) enables said seat back to tilt upward into the normal position of utilization when the seat frame is located in a rear portion (74) of the travel path. The stopper device (40) has a first limit stop and a second limit stop, one limit stop being disposed on the seat frame and the other one on the seat back (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Kornel Zalavari, Michael Leng
  • Patent number: 7959230
    Abstract: A positioning system is provided for moving a seat back in a vehicle between a seating position and a cargo storage position. The positioning system includes a release mechanism actuatable between a first position to permit movement of the seat back and a second position to prevent movement of the seat back. A first actuator is provided on the seat back near an upper corner of the seat back and a second actuator is provided on the seat back near a lower corner of the seat back, so that the seat back can be moved from the cargo storage position to the seating position by a person actuating the first actuator from a location alongside the vehicle and by a person actuating the second actuator from a location behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William J. Hentges, Vasile E. Bozinton, Tod A. Shivak, Srinivasa N. Sanku
  • Publication number: 20110127822
    Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle having a rear actuated release mechanism is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat frame, and a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat frame about a pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a stowed position. The seat assembly further includes a release mechanism capable of locking, releasing, and moving the seat back from a seated position to a stowed position. The release mechanism is actuated by a release handle having an elongated slot formed therein. An egress mechanism operable to actuate the release mechanism from the rear of the seat assembly, includes a bracket pivotally attached to the seat frame and having a pin engaged within the slot of the release handle. The rotation of the bracket from a first position to a second position rotates the release handle to actuate the release mechanism to pivot the seat back from the seated position to the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Moegling, Robert Joseph Hazlewood, Todd Rupert Muck
  • Publication number: 20110115274
    Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle having a release mechanism and a release strap for actuating the release mechanism is provided. The release mechanism is capable of moving a seat back from a seated position to a stowed position. The release strap includes an attachment portion having an attachment end which is fixedly secured to the release mechanism. A gripping portion allows an occupant to quickly and easily grasp and actuate the release strap. The release strap also includes an overlapping portion formed by overlapping a portion of the attachment portion and a portion of the gripping portion so as to present the gripping portion in an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Hazlewood
  • Patent number: 7942479
    Abstract: A control device for regulating adjustment of vehicle seats is disclosed. The control device is a dual function control arm which combines the manual recliner and lumbar mechanism into a single handle. The handle is moved in a first direction to release the seat back recliner mechanism without affecting the lumbar adjustment mechanism. The same handle is moved in a second direction to actuate the lumbar adjustment mechanism without affecting the recliner mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anton Crainic, Kendrick Alden Harper
  • Publication number: 20110095589
    Abstract: A seat control mechanism for a seat frame has an interlock device that includes a lock plate slidably coupled to a seatback for movement between a locked and a released position. A stop bracket is coupled to a seat bottom and has a first end engageable with the lock plate in the locked position when the seatback is in a full-forward position and a second end engageable with the lock plate in the locked position when the scat back is in a fold-flat position. An actuator moves the lock plate from the locked to the released position to release the lock plate and permit movement of the scatback between the full-forward position and the fold-flat position. The lock plate is biased toward the locked position to engage the ends of the stop bracket to lock the seat back in either the full-forward or the fold-flat position after releasing the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Yi SHAO
  • Patent number: 7931338
    Abstract: A vehicle seat locking assembly includes a vehicle seat locking pin for locking an associated vehicle seat back in a desired position when the locking pin is in a locked position, and a vehicle seat lever for moving the locking pin. One of the locking pin and the lever has a cam surface, and the other of the locking pin and the lever have a cam follower cooperatively engaged with the cam surface to move the locking pin to an unlocked position when the lever is moved to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Shane Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7922251
    Abstract: According to this invention, there are provided a stopper stopping forward pivoting of a seat back at the position of a forwardly tilted state, a stopper operation mechanism, a reclining mechanism switching the seat back between a free state in which it can be pivoted with respect to a seat cushion and a lock state in which it cannot be pivoted with respect thereto, a reclining lever, and a connection lever. Through operation of operation levers the seat back is placed in the free state via the stopper operation mechanism, the connection lever, and the reclining lever, and the stopper is moved via the stopper operation mechanism. And, between the stopper operation mechanism and the reclining lever is provided a retention mechanism that retains the stopper at a position to which the stopper is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromasa Hayakawa, Shingo Suzushika, Masaharu Nakamura, Ko Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7914062
    Abstract: A lock apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a protruding portion formed at the side of a seat cushion so as to protrude therefrom, the seat cushion being movable between a usable position and a retracted position, a guide wall member having a guide groove with which the protruding portion is engaged, a latch formed with an opening portion within which the protruding portion is engagable, a sliding member a sliding surface, a latch biasing member, a pawl, a cam surface formed at the pawl for rotating the latch so as to sandwich the protruding portion, a pawl biasing member, a releasing lever and a releasing member formed so as to protrude from the releasing lever in order to rotate the pawl by pressing a releasing portion in a direction against the biasing force applied to the pawl by the pawl biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Iwasa, Hiroaki Hayahara
  • Patent number: 7909408
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a folding vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a handle remotely and functionally connected to the vehicle seat for moving the seatback from a folded position to an upright or design position. The handle is pivotally mounted on a support bracket and attached to an actuator member interconnecting the handle and the seatback. The actuator member transfers the motion of the handle to a generally “L-shaped” arm which is pivotally mounted to the vehicle seat below the seatback. The L-shaped arm rotates toward the back of the seat as the handle is lifted. As the L-shaped arm moves, it catches a stop or extension member located on the seatback and moves the seatback toward the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Frederick Wilkinson, John Taylor, Ajay Sonar
  • Patent number: 7909405
    Abstract: An arrangement of operation unit in one upper corner portion of seat back of automotive seat is disclosed, in which an operating lever of the operation unit is accommodated in a housing fixed to a connecting bracket disposed in such one upper corner portion, and a shape retaining bracket is fixed to the connecting bracket to retain the peripheral edge region of opening of a trim cover assembly through which an operating lever of the operation unit projects outwardly. The peripheral edge region is inserted between the shape regaining bracket and a bezel, and further, the connecting bracket, housing and trim cover assembly are connected with one another at a connecting point, thereby effectively retaining the peripheral edge region of opening of the trim cover assembly in a predetermined shape conforming to outer contour of the one upper corner portion of seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Arima
  • Patent number: 7909407
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom with a frame with a slot or a pivotal connection. A seat back has a frame with the other of the slot and the pivotal connection to cooperate with the seat back for collapsing the seat back upon the seat bottom. A receiver is mounted to one of the seat bottom or the seat back with a first locking component and an insert is mounted to the other with a second locking component. The seat back is assembled to the seat bottom by pivoting the seat back to align the receiver and insert and translating the seat back along the slot until the insert is inserted into the receiver and the locking components are locked. The vehicle seat connection permits the seat bottom and seat back to be fabricated at separate facilities and then shipped to an assembly facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene S. Dudash, Don Bernhardt, Jeff Frelich, Raymond E. Scott
  • Publication number: 20110062737
    Abstract: A rear seat for a motor vehicle with a seat part and a backrest which is upright in a seating position and folded down in a loading position, and in the loading position increases the loading space floor with its rear side facing a loading space of the motor vehicle is provided. The seat part is connected with at least one electromotive drive for translatorily adjusting and/or folding down the seat part from the seating position into the loading position and for translatorily returning and/or folding back the seat part from the loading position into the seating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Gregor Kroener
  • Publication number: 20110049958
    Abstract: A fold-and-dive seat may include a first link bracket, one end of which is pivotally connected to a back frame and the other end of which is pivotally connected to a cushion frame, wherein the one end of the first link bracket is spaced from a folding pivot shaft of the back frame, a second link bracket, one end of which is pivotally connected to a leading end of the cushion frame, and the other end of which is selectively engaged to an upper guide, wherein the upper guide pivotally coupled to the back frame by the folding pivot shaft is slidably coupled to a lower guide fixed to a vehicle body and configured to move along the lower guide, and a locking device selectively holding the second link bracket by engaging the second link bracket to the upper guide so as not to rotate the second link bracket such that the leading end of the cushion frame is not moved downwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chae Hoon MA
  • Patent number: 7896441
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat frame that in its rear region is adapted to be releasably arrested on structural elements by a left arresting device and a right arresting device, which are releasable separately relative to one another, preferably via different displacement processes. A back rest frame is preferably releasably arrested on the seat frame via a freely pivotable device, such as an arresting control. An actuating device, especially an actuating handle, that is activatable by the user is preferably provided for releasing the freely pivotable device. A first one of the arresting devices can be releasable by the actuating device, whereby different displacement paths can be provided for the release of the freely pivotable device and of the first arresting device. One or more driver systems can be provided for forming idle paths or free play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Mareike Krahn-Lau, Klaus-Dieter Habendank
  • Patent number: 7887134
    Abstract: A seat control mechanism for a seat frame has an interlock device that includes a lock plate slidably coupled to a seatback for movement between a locked and a released position. A stop bracket is coupled to a seat bottom and has a first end engageable with the lock plate in the locked position when the seatback is in a full-forward position and a second end engageable with the lock plate in the locked position when the seat back is in a fold-flat position. An actuator moves the lock plate from the locked to the released position to release the lock plate and permit movement of the seatback between the full-forward position and the fold-flat position. The lock plate is biased toward the locked position to engage the ends of the stop bracket to lock the seat back in either the full-forward or the fold-flat position after releasing the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Yi Shao
  • Patent number: 7878592
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a first lock mechanism switching between a first locked state and a first lock-released state and a second lock mechanism switching between a second locked state and a second lock-released state. The first lock mechanism includes a restraining member and a releasing member. The restraining member restrains a pivotal movement of a seatback at a predetermined angle position, at which the seatback does not interfere with a seat cushion moving between a first position and a second position thereof, when the second lock mechanism is in the second lock-released state. The releasing member is linked to the restraining member and releases a restriction to the pivotal movement of the seatback by being moved in association with a movement of the seat cushion when the second lock mechanism is in the second lock-released state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Hiroyuki Okazaki, Kazuya Iwasa
  • Patent number: 7878595
    Abstract: Operation force required for pivot operation of a movable body can be set almost constant independent of variation in the angular position of the pivoting. A pivot mechanism (tumble mechanism (10A)) has a floor-side member (B) fixed to a predetermined position; a seat-side member (12) connected to the floor side member (B) by hinge coupling so as to be pivotable in a predetermined angle range; and a torsion spring member (14)provided to urge the seat side member (12)in the opposite direction to gravity that acts on the seat side member (12). The pivot mechanism is constructed such that weight moments about a pivot center (13a) acting on the seat-side member (12) as the pivot mechanism move varies. The torsion spring member (14) has an urging the section (14b) for urging the seat seat member (12) and a support section (14a) that is supported by the floor side member (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taku Imajou
  • Patent number: 7878596
    Abstract: A head restraint system includes a vehicle seat comprising a seat back and a seat bottom. The system further includes a head restraint guide positioned in the seat back. The head restraint guide is adapted to hold a head restraint at a selectable position. The system further includes a first and second gear rack and a gear system adapted to contact the first and second gear racks and move said gears tracks in a relative linear manner. The first gear rack is attached to the head restraint guide while the second gear rack is fixed relative to the seat back. An actuator system drives the gear system such that positioning of the seat back in a folded position causes the head restraint guide and the head restraint positioned therein to be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Brunner, Karsten Mueller
  • Patent number: 7874622
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat reclining device, all projections are surely engaged in corresponding cam grooves and strength of every projection is assured. The seat reclining device includes a first cam groove formed at a first opposing surface of a pawl, a pawl control member provided in an inner space and rotatably disposed between the first arm and the first opposing surface, the pawl control member including at least a first projection to be inserted into the first cam groove and controlling movement of the pawl in response to the rotation thereof by engagement between the first cam groove and the first projection, a second projection formed at a second opposing surface of the pawl and a second cam groove formed at the second arm side, into which the second projection is inserted and including a restricting portion restricting the movement of the pawl towards the engagement state with an internal toothed portion by engagement with the second projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Okazaki, Yukifumi Yamada, Kazuhide Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7871128
    Abstract: A seat-back motion controller is used in a foldable vehicle seat to control motion of a seat back relative to a seat base. The motion controller includes a seat recliner configured to be locked to retain the seat back in a selected reclined position and unlocked to free the seat back to be pivoted forwardly to assume a forward-leaning seat-back dumping position to facilitate passenger access to a back seat area in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Bonk, Miroslav Tasevski
  • Patent number: 7862121
    Abstract: A seat may be obtained with improved operability of plural adjustable units. A vehicle seat 10 is provided with: a seat lifter 22 provided to a seat body that is for sitting on, and is adjusted by operation force transmitted from a first operating system; a reclining mechanism 20 provided to the seat body, that is adjusted by operation force transmitted from a second operating system; and an operation lever 30, imparting operation force for independently adjusting the reclining mechanism 20 and the seat lifter 22. The operation lever 30 imparts operation force to the seat lifter 22 when operated by rotation along the seat up-down direction in the direction of arrow D and arrow E, and imparts operation force to the reclining mechanism 20 when operated by rotation along the seat width direction in the direction of arrow F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Shiroki Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Ishijima, Yoichi Takada