Sliding device

• US 10,688,887 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2018
• Issued: 06/23/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2017
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Tsuji, Eiichiro, Kuroda, Yuji, Tsuboi, Kazuhiro, Fukuoka, Masanori, Takeuchi, Tomoya
• Primary Examiner(s): Ijaz, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US16/048,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20190061563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 248424, 248425, 248429, 248430, 296 6513, 296 6514, 296 6515
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0705 omega-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0722 Constructive details
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0725 Closing members for covering the slide
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/08 characterised by the locking device

Abstract

Disclosed is one example of a sliding device allowing for reliable sliding of two members closing an opening of a fixed rail. The sliding device includes: a fixed rail including an opening arranged in a longitudinal direction of the fixed rail; a movable rail slidable relative to the fixed rail in a state where at least part of the movable rail is exposed through the opening; a first closure member slidable relative to the fixed rail and capable of closing part of the opening, the first closure member receiving a pressing force from the movable rail to thereby slide; and a second closure member slidable relative to the fixed rail and capable of closing part of the opening in cooperation with the first closure member, the second closure member being in sliding contact with the first closure member and receiving a pressing force from the movable rail to thereby slide.

Claims

1. A sliding device comprising:

a fixed rail configured to be fixed to a vehicle, the fixed rail comprising an opening opened upward, the opening being arranged in a longitudinal direction of the fixed rail;

a movable rail to which a seat body of a vehicle seat is configured to be fixed, the movable rail being slidable with respect to the fixed rail in a state where at least part of the movable rail is exposed through the opening;

a first closure member slidable with respect to the fixed rail and capable of closing at least part of the opening, the first closure member comprising a first pressed portion configured to contact the movable rail, the first closure member receiving a pressing force from the movable rail to thereby slide; and

a second closure member slidable with respect to the fixed rail and capable of closing at least part of the opening in cooperation with the first closure member, the second closure member being in sliding contact with the first closure member and comprising a second pressed portion configured to contact the movable rail, the second closure member receiving a pressing force from the movable rail to thereby slide.

2. The sliding device according to claim 1,

wherein the movable rail comprises:

a rail body of metal to which the seat body is fixed; and

an end cap of resin attached to a longitudinal end of the rail body and configured to contact the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion.

3. The sliding device according to claim 1,

wherein the first closure member and the second closure member are slidable between a position housed in the fixed rail and a position protruding from the fixed rail together with the movable rail.

4. The sliding device according to claim 1,

wherein the first closure member and the second closure member each have a cross-sectional shape of a substantially U-shape orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail, the first closure member being arranged partially inside the second closure member, and

wherein the first pressed portion is provided to an end of the first closure member in a forward movement direction, which is a direction in which the first closure member and the second closure member slide by receiving the pressing force, and the second pressed portion is provided to an end of the second closure member in the forward movement direction.

5. The sliding device according to claim 1,

wherein the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion are positioned within the fixed rail when the first closure member and the second closure member are substantially housed in the fixed rail.

6. The sliding device according to claim 5,

wherein the first pressed portion is provided on a lower side of the first closure member, and

wherein the second pressed portion is provided on a lower side of the second closure member.

7. A vehicle seat mounted to a vehicle, the vehicle seat comprising:

a seat body comprising at least a seat cushion; and

a sliding device according to claim 1 that supports the seat body in a slidable manner.