Vehicle seat structure, and a vehicle provided with a seat having such a structure

• US 20050134100A1
• Filed: 12/13/2004
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faurecia Sieges D'Automobile (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Faurecia Sieges D'Automobile (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Canteleux, Joel, Costa, Augusto Da
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/344.150
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1675 with weight compensating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1685 characterised by a lock
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/43 Safety locks for back-rests B60N2/433
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 secured to the seat

Abstract

The structure of the seat proper of a vehicle seat comprises: a frame for a seat proper, the frame including a side cheek plate; and a coupling system comprising a link mounted to pivot on a base to enable the seat proper to move at least vertically relative to said base. The coupling system has a first latch surface. The seat structure further comprises an anchoring element provided with a second latch surface. The anchoring element is mounted to move on the cheek plate between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Claims

1. A structure for a motor vehicle seat proper, the structure comprising:

a rigid frame for a seat proper, the frame including at least one side cheek plate extending between a front portion and a rear portion; and

a coupling system comprising a link having a bottom portion mounted to pivot on a base and a top portion mounted to pivot relative to the rear portion of said cheek plate about a first pivot axis so that said bottom portion of the link pivoting relative to said base causes said rear portion of the seat proper to move at least vertically relative to said base;

said coupling system having a first latch surface;

said seat structure further comprising an anchoring element provided with a second latch surface and to which a seatbelt is secured;

and wherein the anchoring element is mounted to pivot on said side cheek plate about a second pivot axis distinct from the first axis, said anchoring element being adapted so that traction exerted by said seatbelt on the anchoring element along a seatbelt traction axis against forces exerted by return means causes the anchoring element to pivot about the second axis between firstly a unlocked position in which the second latch surface of said anchoring element is held at some distance away from the first latch surface of the coupling system by the return means, and secondly a locked position in which the second latch surface co-operates with the first latch surface to prevent the side cheek plate of the seat frame from pivoting relative to the link.

2. A structure according to claim 1, in which the coupling system comprises:

an axial connection member secured to said top portion of the link, and mounted to pivot relative to said cheek plate; and

a ring constrained to rotate with the axial connection member and having said first latch surface.

3. A structure according to claim 2, in which structure said axial connection member passes through an opening provided at least in part in said cheek plate, in which structure said cheek plate has an inside face and an outside face facing in the opposite direction to the direction in which said inside face faces, said anchoring element being mounted on said outside face of the cheek plate, and in which structure said link is disposed facing said inside face of the cheek plate.

4. A structure according to claim 2, in which structure said axial connection member passes through an opening provided at least in part in said cheek plate, in which structure said cheek plate has an inside face and an outside face facing in the opposite direction to the direction in which said inside face faces, said anchoring element being mounted on said outside face of the cheek plate, and in which structure said link is disposed facing said outside face of the cheek plate.

5. A structure according to claim 4, in which, on either side of the first latch surface, said ring is further provided with a first bearing piece having a contact surface mounted facing said link and with a second bearing piece having a contact surface mounted facing said cheek plate.

6. A structure according to claim 2, further comprising a second side cheek plate parallel to the first side cheek plate, and a second link, parallel to the first link, and having a bottom portion mounted to pivot on a base and a top portion mounted to pivot relative to the rear portion of said second cheek plate, said axial connection member being secured to said top portion of the second link and mounted to pivot relative to said second cheek plate;

so that said bottom portions of said links pivoting together relative to said base causes said rear portion of the seat frame to move at least vertically relative to said base.

7. A structure according to claim 1, in which said first latch surface is provided with teeth, and in which said second latch surface is provided with teeth complementary to the teeth of said first latch surface.

8. A structure according to claim 1, in which said anchoring element is mounted to pivot relative to said cheek plate.

9. A structure according to claim 1, further comprising at least one runner comprising:

a stationary rail serving to be secured to a vehicle floor; and

a moving rail including at least a portion forming said base.

10. A vehicle seat including a seat proper having a structure according to claim 1.