DAMPER FOR A VEHICLE SEAT
First Claim
1. A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat, the recliner assembly comprising:
- a first frame member adapted to be supported by a vehicle;
a second frame member adapted to support a seat back, the second frame member being pivotally attached to the first frame member and movable between an upright position wherein the seat back supports an occupant seated on the seat, and a storage position where the seat back is folded with respect to a seat bottom;
an outer ring mounted to one of the first and second frame members;
an inner ring disposed inside the outer ring and mounted to the other of the first and second frame members, the outer and inner rings collectively providing a plurality of recesses formed between the inner ring and the outer ring; and
a plurality of rollers disposed in the plurality of recesses, the rollers cooperating with the inner ring and the outer ring to dampen movement of the second frame in a first direction as the seat back is moved from the upright position to the storage position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat having a seat back pivotally mounted relative to a seat bottom is provided. The seat back is movable between an upright position, where the seat back is in a generally vertical position for supporting an occupant seated on the seat, and a storage position, where the seat back is folded with respect to the seat bottom. The recliner assembly includes a damper operatively connected between the seat bottom and seat back. The damper includes an outer race and an inner race, wherein at least one of the inner race and outer race comprise an annular cam-profile surface. A plurality of rollers are disposed between the inner race and outer race, to cooperate with the cam-profile surface and the other one of the inner race and outer race to dampen movement of the seat back during at least partial movement from the upright position to the storage position.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat, the recliner assembly comprising:
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a first frame member adapted to be supported by a vehicle; a second frame member adapted to support a seat back, the second frame member being pivotally attached to the first frame member and movable between an upright position wherein the seat back supports an occupant seated on the seat, and a storage position where the seat back is folded with respect to a seat bottom; an outer ring mounted to one of the first and second frame members; an inner ring disposed inside the outer ring and mounted to the other of the first and second frame members, the outer and inner rings collectively providing a plurality of recesses formed between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a plurality of rollers disposed in the plurality of recesses, the rollers cooperating with the inner ring and the outer ring to dampen movement of the second frame in a first direction as the seat back is moved from the upright position to the storage position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vehicle seat comprising:
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a seat bottom; a seat back pivotally mounted relative to the seat bottom and movable between an upright position where the seat back is in a generally vertical position for supporting an occupant seated on the seat, and a storage position where the seat back is folded with respect to the seat bottom; a damper operatively connected between the seat bottom and seat back the damper comprising; an outer race; an inner race, wherein at least one of the inner race and outer race comprise an annular cam-profile surface; and a plurality of engaging members disposed between the inner race and outer race, to cooperate with the cam-profile surface and the other one of the inner race and outer race to dampen movement of the seat back during at least partial movement from the upright position to the storage position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A damper assembly comprising:
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an outer ring adapted to be mounted to one of a seat bottom and a seat back; an inner ring disposed inside the outer ring, the inner ring being adapted to be mounted to the other of the seat bottom and the seat back, the inner ring cooperating with the outer ring to collectively provide a plurality of recesses formed between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a plurality of rollers disposed in the plurality of recesses, the rollers cooperating with the inner ring and the outer ring to dampen movement of the seat back in a first direction from a upright position to a storage position, wherein the damper allows to movement of the seat back in a second direction to return to the seat back to the upright position.
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Specification