Rotary adjustment mechanism

• US 20080001457A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Reed, Robert J., York, Lyle E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,611,204 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/361.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1839 pivoting about an axis located in an intermediate position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1892 characterised by a lock
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1896 Stepwise movement mechanisms, e.g. ratchets B60N2/1882 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2218 Transversally moving locks
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/50 Seat suspension devices

Abstract

A rotary adjustment mechanism is provided. The rotary adjustment mechanism has a first member, a second member, a first gear, a second gear, a locking gear, a spring, and a release. The first gear is rotationally attached to the first member. The second member is pivotally attached to the first member. The second gear is rotationally attached to the second member. The locking gear is moveable from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear. The spring biases the locking gear towards the first position. The release is coupled to the locking gear and selectively moves the locking gear to the second position.

Claims

1. A rotary adjustment mechanism comprising:

a first member;

a first gear rotationally attached to the first member;

a second member pivotally attached to the first member;

a second gear rotationally attached to the second member;

a locking gear that is moveable from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear;

a spring biasing the locking gear towards the first position; and

a release coupled to the locking gear and selectively moving the locking gear to the second position.

2. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first gear, the second gear, and the locking gear are substantially coaxial about a first axis.

3. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 2, wherein the release is pivotally attached about a second axis, and wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis.

4. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first member is a seat base and the second member is a seat pan.

5. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first member is a seat base and the second member is a seat back.

6. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and the second gear each have a hollow splined portion, wherein the locking gear is a spur gear, and wherein the locking gear is at least partially positioned within the hollow splined portion of the first and the second gears when the locking gear is in the first position.

7. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 2 further comprising:

a rod axially positioned about the first axis;

wherein the first gear, the second gear, and the locking gear are positioned along the rod.

8. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 7, further comprising:

a slider coupled to the release and slidably disposed along the rod;

wherein the slider selectively engages the locking gear.

9. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 8, further comprising:

a second spring biasing the slider out of engagement with the locking gear.

10. The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 9, wherein the spring and the second spring are wave springs.

11. A seat comprising:

a base;

a seat back pivotally attached to the base;

a first gear rotationally attached to the base;

a second gear rotationally attached to the seat back;

a locking gear that is moveable from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear;

a spring biasing the locking gear towards the first position; and

a release coupled to the locking gear and selectively moving the locking gear to the second position.

12. The seat of claim 11, wherein the first gear, the second gear, and the locking gear are substantially coaxial about a first axis.

13. The seat of claim 12, wherein the release is pivotally attached about a second axis, and wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis.

14. The seat of claim 13, wherein the seat back is pivotally attached to the base about a third axis, and wherein the third axis is substantially parallel to the first and second axes.

15. The seat of claim 11 further comprising:

a seat pan pivotally attached to the base;

a third gear rotationally attached to the base;

a fourth gear rotationally attached to the seat pan;

a second locking gear that is moveable from a third position coupling the third gear with the fourth gear to a fourth position decoupling the third gear with the fourth gear;

a second spring biasing the locking gear towards the first position; and

a second release coupled to the second locking gear and selectively moving the second locking gear to the fourth position.

16. The seat of claim 11, wherein the first and the second gear each have a hollow splined portion, wherein the locking gear is a spur gear, and wherein the locking gear is at least partially positioned within the hollow splined portion of the first and the second gears when the locking gear is in the first position.

17. The seat of claim 13 further comprising:

a rod axially positioned about the first axis;

wherein the first gear, the second gear, and the locking gear are positioned along the rod.

18. The seat of claim 17, further comprising:

a slider coupled to the release and slidably disposed along the rod;

wherein the slider selectively engages the locking gear.

19. A method of providing a rotary adjustment mechanism comprising the steps of:

providing a first member;

rotationally attaching a first gear to the first member;

pivotally attaching a second member to the first member;

rotationally attaching a second gear to the second member;

providing a locking gear that is moveable from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear;

biasing the locking gear towards the first position; and

coupling a release to the locking gear that selectively moves the locking gear to the second position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first and the second gear each have a hollow splined portion and wherein the locking gear is a spur gear, and further comprising the steps of:

positioning at least a portion of the locking gear within the hollow splined portion of the first and the second gears when the locking gear is in the first position.