Pivot joint assembly for a vehicle seat

• US 20090230752A1
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Fudala, Kevin, Abdella, David J., Adragna, Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 8,172,326 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/463.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/164 Linear actuator, e.g. screw mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means

Abstract

A pivot joint assembly includes a bar generally defining an outer cylindrical surface. The bar has first and second beads extending outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The first and second beads are spaced apart from one another along the length of the bar. At least one of the first and second beads is an integrally formed portion extended outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The assembly further includes a mounting member having opposed first and second sides. The mounting member has a hole formed therein. The bar is disposed in the hole such that the mounting member is disposed between the first and second beads such that bar rotates relative to the mounting member.

Claims

1. A pivot joint assembly comprising:

a bar generally defining an outer cylindrical surface, said bar having first and second beads extending outwardly from said outer cylindrical surface, said first and second beads being spaced apart from one another along the length of the bar, wherein at least one of said first and second beads is an integrally formed portion extended outwardly from said outer cylindrical surface;

a mounting member having opposed first and second sides, said mounting member having a hole formed therein, wherein said bar is disposed in said hole such that said mounting member is disposed between said first and second beads, and wherein said bar rotates relative to said mounting member.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said first and second beads is formed on said bar by a swaging operation.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said bar is tubular in shape.

4. The assembly of claim 1 including a first bushing disposed between said first bead and said first side of said mounting member, and a second bushing disposed between said second side of said mounting member and said second bead.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second bushings are made of metal.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second bushings are made of a polymer.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second bushings are defined as lubricant disposed between said first and second beads.

8. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second bushings are made of a solid material and each include a coating having a low coefficient of friction for permitting rotation of said bar relative to said mounting member.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said coating includes polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

10. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second bushings are defined as a coating applied on said mounting member.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second bushings are defined by radially extending flanges of a grommet disposed in said hole.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said grommet includes a cylindrical portion disposed in said hole, and wherein said grommet includes a first circular flange extending radially outwardly from a first end of said cylindrical portion such that said first circular flange defines said first bushing, and wherein said grommet includes a second circular flange extending radially outwardly from a second end of said cylindrical portion such that said second circular flange defines said second bushing.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said flanges have a low coefficient of friction material coated thereon.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly further includes a washer disposed between said second bushing and said second bead such that said washer absorbs a portion of the swaging forces to help prevent said second bushing from being deformed.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said washer is made of a metal.

16. A vehicle seat frame assembly comprising;

a seat back frame assembly; and

a seat bottom frame assembly including;

a first frame assembly including;

a pair of side brackets defining lateral sides of said seat frame; and

first and second bars extending between said side brackets and connected thereto;

a second frame assembly, wherein one of said first and second frame assemblies is adapted to be connected to said seat back and the other of said first and second frame assemblies being connected to a floor of a vehicle;

a first link pivotally connected to said second frame member and said first bar;

a second link pivotally connected to said second frame member and said second bar,

wherein said first bar forms a pivot joint with one of said side brackets such that said first bar defines an outer cylindrical surface, said first bar having first and second beads extending outwardly from said outer cylindrical surface, said first and second beads being spaced apart from one another along the length of said first bar, wherein at least one of said first and second beads is formed on said first bar by swaging such that a portion of said first bar is expanded outwardly to form said one of said first and second beads, and wherein said one of said side brackets defines first and second sides and includes a hole formed therein, wherein said bar is disposed in said hole, said pivot joint further including a first bushing disposed between said first bead and said first side of said mounting member, and a second bushing disposed between said second side of said mounting member and said second bead, wherein the formation of said one of said first and second beads secures said one of said side brackets relative to said first along the length of said first bar, and wherein said first and second bushings permit rotation of said first bar relative to said mounting member.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said pivot joint further includes a washer disposed between said second bushing and said second bead such that said washer absorbs a portion of the swaging forces to help prevent said second bushing from being deformed.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said first and second bushings are defined by radially extending flanges of a grommet disposed in said hole.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said grommet includes a cylindrical portion disposed in said hole, and wherein said grommet includes a first circular flange extending radially outwardly from a first end of said cylindrical portion such that said first circular flange defines said first bushing, and wherein said grommet includes a second circular flange extending radially outwardly from a second end of said cylindrical portion such that said second circular flange defines said second bushing.