VEHICLE SEAT HAVING COMBINED CONTOUR AND TILT ADJUSTMENT

• US 3,632,166 A
• Filed: 06/16/1969
• Issued: 01/04/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas E. Lohr
• Original Assignee: Thomas E. Lohr
• Inventors: Lohr, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilliam, Paul R.
• Application Number:
  US04/833,370
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 287/284,325-329,344-312,70,71,88,423,425
• US Class Current: 297/284.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/10 tiltable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2875 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1695 with simultaneous height and inclination adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1821 Combination of Rods and slides
• 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 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly including a base portion adapted to be secured to a supporting surface in fixed relationship therewith with a seat mounted on the base portion for fore and aft tilting movement with respect to the base portion and means for locking the seat relative to the base portion in a selected position. The seat has a movable leg rest or thigh supporting section which is adjustable to selectively change the contour of the seat to obtain a desired relationship between the contour of the seat and the tilted position of the seat with respect to the base portion.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a base portion adapted to be secured to a supporting surface in fixed relationship with respect thereto;

a seat mounted on said base portion;

attachment means securing said seat to said base portion for fore and aft movement with respect thereto between an extreme rearward posItion and an extreme forward position in a path such that the seat tilts progressively forwardly as it moves forwardly from the extreme rearward position, said means including a fore and aft extending rail projecting upwardly from said base portion, a link pivotally connected between the seat portion of said seat and said rail, and means pivotally and slidably connecting the seat portion with said rail at a point spaced from said link;

means for locking said seat relative to said base portion in a selected position with respect thereto;

a pair of laterally spaced side members projecting forwardly from the forward edge of said seat;

a rod connected to said side members;

a leg rest member mounted on said side members for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by the axis of said rod whereby the contour of said seat may be adjusted; and

actuating means, attached to one of said side members, to cause rotation of said leg rest member about said rod and to prevent rotation in response to the application of pressure to said leg rest member said actuating means comprises a pivot arm and an actuating shaft rotatably mounted on one of said side members whereby rotation of said actuating shaft causes rotation of said pivot arm to rotate said leg rest member and whereby pressure on said leg rest member does not cause rotation of said pivot arm.

2. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said seat includes unitary seat and back portions, and said movable section is mounted along the forward edge of said seat portion and defines an adjustable extension thereof.

3. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable section is pivotally mounted on said seat portion for selective adjustment about its pivotal axis with respect to said seat portion.

4. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means pivotally and slidably connecting the seat portion with said rail includes an upwardly and forwardly curved slot in said rail, and a pin carried by said seat portion engaged with said slot.

5. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for locking said seat relative to said base portion comprises a locking plate mounted on one of said base portion and seat having a fore and aft extending series of slots formed therein, and a locking lever carried by the other of said base portion and seat engageable with a selected one of said slots to restrain the seat against movement with respect to the base portion.