SEAT ADJUSTING MECHANISM

• US 3,784,147 A
• Filed: 02/11/1972
• Issued: 01/08/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur J. Harder Jr
• Original Assignee: Arthur J. Harder Jr
• Inventors: Harder, Arthur J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zugel, Francis K.
• Application Number:
  US05/225,474
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 297/337,313 248/421,422,419,371,384
• US Class Current: 248/371
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/36 with means, or adapted, for inclining the legs of the chair or stool for varying height of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/162 Scissors-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1645 Eccentric mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/169 Stepwise movement mechanisms, e.g. ratchets B60N2/167 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1835 pivoting about an axis located in the front
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1857 Eccentric mechanism

Abstract

Vehicle seat is mounted on an assembly which moves seat vertically to a selected elevation corresponding to a setting on a polygonal plate without significant horizontal movement of the seat or plate. Vertical position of rearward portion of seat is adjusted by operation of a support means actuable by a seat occupant leaning forward and lifting said rear portion of the seat.

Claims

1. In an adjustable vehicle seat;

a seat frame;

a seat cushion having a forward portion and a rear portion;

means mounting said seat cushion for movement, relative to said seat frame, between a first position in which said rear portion of the seat cushion is at substantially the same elevation as said forward portion and a second position in which said rear portion is higher than said forward portion;

a cam member;

means pivotally mounting said cam member on said seat frame for movement of the cam member, about a pivotal axis, between an operative position for maintaining the seat cushion in its second position and an inoperative position in which the seat cushion is in its first position;

means, responsive to a seat occupant leaning forward and lifting the rear portion of said seat cushion, for moving said cam member from its inoperative to its operative position;

the center of gravity of said cam member being located forwardly of its pivotal axis when the cam member is in its operative position, to urge the cam member toward its inoperative position; and

means on said cam member for engaging the bottom of said seat cushion rearwardly of the front portion thereof, when the cam member is in its operative position, so that the vector force of the weight of said seat cushion is directed downwardly upon said cam member, and no further forwardly than through said pivotal axis of the cam member, to maintain said cam member in said operative position, against the urging of its center of gravity, when the cam member is in said engagement with said seat cushion.

2. In an adjustable vehicle seat as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for moving the cam member comprises:

a rod having one end attached to said cam member and extending forwardly therefrom;

means on said seat frame mounting said rod for movement in forward and rearward directions; and

spring means for transmitting a forward force through said rod to urge said cam member toward its operative position.

3. In an adjustable vehicle seat as recited in claim 1:

depressible button means for moving said cam member from its operative to its inoperative position.