Adjustable seats and components therefor "A" version

• US 4,747,571 A
• Filed: 02/04/1986
• Issued: 05/31/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atoma International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Inventors: Bartczak, Andrzej, Hessler, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Perham, Alfred C.
• Application Number:
  US06/826,668
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 248/394, 248/396, 248/421
• US Class Current: 248/394
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1803 with independent front and/or rear adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1839 pivoting about an axis located in an intermediate position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1882 Ratchet mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1885 with weight compensating means
• 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

Abstract

This invention relates to adjustable seats and components therefor including mechanisms for assisting in their adjustability and a hand-operated lever employed for both adjusting the inclination and height of the seat cushion above the base of the seat and positioning and moving the seat longitudinally.

Claims

1. A seat adjustment assembly for adjusting the inclination and vertical position of a seat cushion of a seat above the base of the seat, the seat assembly comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a seat cushion supported in spaced relation above the base;

(c) a support for carrying the cushion in spaced relation above the base and being secured thereto, the support carrying;

(i) a cam assembly disposed proximate the centre thereof and carrying opposed peripheral circular (convex) portions, each opposed peripheral circular portion rotatable about the centre of such circular portion and another portion adjacent each circular portion, the outer surfaces of which other portions being closer to one another than the circular portions are close to one another;

(ii) means to permit the rotation of at least one circular cam portion at a time;

(iii) a pair of pawls on either side of the cam assembly each pawl being secured for pivotal movement and having its end closest the cam assembly carrying a circular recess corresponding in shape to the circular cam portion for normally being engaged therewith

whereby rotation of at least one of the circular portions about its centre permits the end of the pawl carrying the recess to follow the outer surface of the cam assembly from the circular portion to the portion adjacent each circular portion, thereby releasing the associated pawl permitting the seat to be adjusted and means are provided to cause the pawls to follow the outer surface configuration of the cam assembly and means to return the cam assembly and pawls to their normal position.

2. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement of at least one of the circular portions of the cam assembly is accomplished by pivoting of the one part of the cam assembly carrying the circular portion to be displaced.

3. The seat adjustment assmbly of claim 1, wherein the displacement of at least one of the circular portions of the cam assembly is accomplished by rotation of the cam assembly or a portion thereof.

4. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 1, wherein the pawls are pivotally removably secured at their other ends to ratchets, one of which is released when one of the pawls is released, thereby permitting adjustment of the height of inclination of the seat.

5. A seat adjustment assembly for adjusting the inclination and vertical position of a seat cushion of a seat above the base of a seat, the seat assembly comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a seat cushion supported in spaced relation above the base;

(c) a support for carrying the cushion in spaced relation above the base and being secured thereto, the support carrying;

(i) a cam assembly disposed proximate the centre thereof and having a vertical axis of symmetry, the cam assembly carrying opposed peripheral circular (convex) protions on either side of the axis of symmetry, each opposed peripheral circular portion rotatable about its centre and another portion adjacent each circular portion, the outer surfaces of which being closer to one another than the circular portions;

(ii) means to permit the rotation of at least one circular cam portion at a time;

(iii) a pair of pawls on either side of the cam assembly, each pawl being secured for pivotal movement and having its end closest the cam assembly carrying a circular recess corresponding in shape to the circular cam portion for normally being engaged therewith

whereby rotation of at least one of the circular portions about its centre permits the end of the pawl carrying the recess to follow the outer surface of the cam assembly from the circular portion to the portion adjacent each circular portion, thereby releasing the associated pawl permitting the seat to be adjusted and means are provided to cause the pawls to follow the outer surface configuration of the cam assembly and emans are also provided to return the cam assembly and pawls to their normal position.

6. The seat assembly of claim 5, wherein the displacement of at least one of the circular portions of the cam assembly is accomplished by pivoting of the one part of the cam assembly carrying circular portion to be displaced.

7. The seat assembly of claim 5, wherein the displacement of at least one of the circular portions of the cam assembly is accomplished by rotation of the cam assembly or a portion thereof.

8. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 5, wherein the pawls are pivotally removably secured at their other ends to ratchets, one of which is released when one of the pawls is released thereby permitting adjustment of the height and inclination of the seat.

9. A seat adjustment assembly for adjusting the inclination and vertical position of a seat cushion of a seat, the seat assembly comprising a pair of pawls normally releasably fixed against pivoting by their engagement with an assembly disposed between them and which pawls when released one at a time, permit adjustment of the inclination and vertical position of the seat cushion, the assembly between the pawls comprising a cam assembly carrying opposed peripheral circular (convex) portions, each opposed peripheral circular portion rotatable about the centre of such circular portion and another portion adjacent each circular portion the outer surfaces of which being closer to one another than the circular portions are close to one another and the ends of the pawls engaging the assembly carrying a circular recess corresponding in shape to the circular cam portion to which they are engaged and whereby means are provided for displacing the cam assembly and thus the pawls to permit adjustment and means are provided for returning the cam assembly and pawls to their normal position.

10. The seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the cam assembly carries a vertical axis of symmetry therethrough with one of the circular cam portions and one of the other portions of the cam on either side of the axis of symmetry.

11. a seat adjustment assembly for adjusting the inclination and vertical position of a seat cushion of a seat above the base of the seat, the seat assembly comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a seat cushion supported in spaced relation above the base;

(c) a support for carrying the cushion in spaced relation above the base and being secured thereto, the support carrying;

(i) a cam assembly proximate the centre thereof and carrying opposed peripheral circular portions, each opposed peripheral circular portion rotatable about the centre thereof, and another portion adjacent each circular portion the outer surfaces of each portion being closer to one another than the circular portions are close to one another;

(ii) means to cause the rotation of at least one circular cam portion at a time;

(iii) means to limit the rotation of the at least one circular cam portion;

(iv) a pair of pawls, one on either side of the cam assembly pivotally secured intermediate their ends to the support to pivot with respect to the support, each pawl carrying a circular recess on the end thereof closest the cam assembly in the form of a cam follower corresponding in shape to the circular cam portion to which it is adjacent for engaging such circular portion of the cam, the other end of each pawl carrying at least one fastener (securing) element for removably securing each pawl to a component for permitting raising and/or lowering the front and/or rear of the seat cushion;

(v) means to cause each pawl to pivot when the pawl surface proximate the pawl recess engages the outer surface of the other portion proximate the circular cam portion to permit adjustment of the seat cushion and means to ensure restoration of the securing of the component and pawl after adjustment of the seat cushion and the cam assembly to its original position.

12. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 11, wherein the component to which each pawl is removably secured by the at least one fastener (securing) element is a ratchet.

13. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 12, wherein each fastener element of each pawl is removably securable to a complementary fastener element of a ratchet for permitting raising and/or lowering the front and/or rear of the seat cushion.

14. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 13, wherein the other portion adjacent each circular portion is above the circular portion.

15. The seat adjustment of claim 14, wherein the means to cause each pawl to pivot when the pawl surface proximate the pawl recess engages the outer surface of the other portion proximate the circular cam portion comprises spring means for urging the end of each pawl proximate the cam downwardly when the pawl engages the other portion above the cam and the means to ensure restoration of the securing of the cam and pawl after adjustment of the seat cushion and the cam assembly to its original position comprises the same spring means.

16. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 15, whereby when the lever was released, the spring means returns the lever to its original position.

17. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 13, wherein the other portion adjacent each circular portion is below the circular portion.

18. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 12, wherein the other portion adjacent each circular portion is above the circular portion.

19. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 18, wherein the means to cause each pawl to pivot when the pawl surface proximate the pawl recess engages the outer surface of the other portion proximate the circular cam portion comprises spring means for urging the end of each pawl proximate the cam downwardly when the pawl engages the other portion above the cam and the means to ensure restoration of the securing of the cam and pawl after adjustment of the seat cushion and the cam assembly to its original position comprises the same spring means.

20. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 19, whereby when the lever was released, the spring means returns the lever to its original position.

21. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 12, wherein the other portion adjacent each circular portion is below the circular portion.

22. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 11, wherein each other portion is below each circular portion, the means to cause each pawl to pivot when the pawl recess engages the other portion proximate the circular cam portion comprises spring means for urging the ends of each pawl proximate the cam downwardly as such end engaged the other portion and the means to ensure restoration of the securing of component and pawl of the seat cushion comprises a pair of L-shaped members each member pivotal with respect to the bottom of the cam at one end for engaging teeth carried by the bottom of the cam and at the other end for engaging the underside of the pawl each arm of the L-shaped members being of substantially the same length and the member being pivotally secure at the junction to the two arms to the support, whereby when the cam is rotated an one of the pawls pivoted downwardly the arms of the member secured to the cam is pivoted to lower the arm below the pawl thereby permitting the pawl to move downwardly, and whereby after the seat cushion had been adjusted and the spring means released restoring the cam, the member is pivoted to its original position with the arm of the L-shaped member below the pawl, pushed the pawl upwardly restoring it and the spring means to its original position.

23. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 11, wherein the cam assembly comprises two individual components with the circular portions being on separate parts independently moveable from the other.

24. The seat adjustment assembly of claim 23, wherein each part is operated by a lever pushing the separate part when rotated in one direction and which separate parts are secured together by spring means so when one of the separate parts is rotated and released, the separate part is urged by the spring to rotate towards its original position.

25. A seat adjustment for adjusting the inclination and vertical position of seat cushion of a seat above the base of the seat, the seat adjustment assembly comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a seat cushion supported in spaced relation above the base;

(c) a pair of elongated members for carrying the cushion in spaced relation above the base and being secured thereto, each elongated member being carried proximate one side edge of the seat cushion on the underside thereof and carrying;

(i) a cam proximate the centre thereof rotatable about an axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the cam, the axis being carried in a rod joining each cam and being rotatable with respect to each elongated member, each cam carrying diametrically opposed peripheral circular portions on either side of the axis and another portion above each circular portion the outer surface of which being closer through its entire length to the axis than the circular portion, the peripheral circular portions being rotatable about their centre coinciding with the axis in the rod;

(ii) means to rotate the rod;

(iii) a pair of pawls, one on either side of the cam pivotally secured intermediate their ends to the elongated member to pivot with respect to the cam, each pawl carrying a circular recess on the end thereof closest the cam in the form of a cam follower corresponding in shape to the circular portion of the cam for engaging the circular portion of the cam, the other end of each pawl carrying at least one fastener element;

(iv) a ratchet being pivotally secured to the elongated member and carrying a plurality of complementary fastener elements for removeably securing the pawl to the ratchet;

(v) means to cause each pawl proximate the cam to pivot downwardly when the pawl recess engages the other cam surface portion above the circular cam surface portion, and

(vi) means to urge the end of the ratchet bearing the complementary fastener element to rotate about the pivot point of the ratchet with respect to the elongated member whereby when the recess of the pawl carrying the cam follower engages the upper portion of the cam closer the axis, the fastener element is disengaged from the complementary element on the ratchet, permitting the ratchet to pivot;

(d) each ratchet being pivotally secured to the base and carrying an arcuate slot spaced from the pivot point of each ratchet to the elongated member and each elongated member carrying a pin for riding in each arcuate slot whereby when the ratchet is permitted to pivot with respect to the elongated member, it also pivots with respect to the base thus causing the pin carried in each slot to move in the slot for accommodating the adjustment of the seat and whereby only one of the pawls on each elongated member is permitted to rotate upwardly at any one time for adjustment of the front or rear of the seat cushion at any one time.

26. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 25, wherein the means to cause each pawl to pivot downwardly comprises a spring arm of a torsion spring wound around the rod engaging the top of the pawl proximate the cam constantly urging the portion of the pawl proximate the cam to rotate downwardly.

27. The adjustable seat asesmbly of claim 26, wherein the axis of the cam and thus the cam, is rotated by rotation of a lever either counterclockwise or clockwise.

28. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 27, wherein the rotation of the lever upwardly adjusts the height of the front of the seat cushion and the rotation of the lever downwardly adjusts the height of the rear of the seat cushion.

29. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 28, further comprising a compression spring secured at each end to each of the ratchets on the same elongated member so that when the ratchets are each released one at a time, they rotate about the pivot point with respect to both the base and elongated member upwardly.

30. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 27, further comprising a compression spring secured at each end to each of the ratchets on the same elongated member so that when the ratchets are each released one at a time, they rotate about the pivot point with respect to both the base and elongated member upwardly.

31. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 26, further comprising a compression spring secured at each end to each of the ratchets on the same elongated member so that when the ratchets are each released one at a time, they rotate about the pivot point with respect to both the base and elongated member upwardly.

32. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 25, wherein the axis of the cam and thus the cam, is rotated by rotation of a lever either counterclockwise or clockwise.

33. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 32, wherein the rotation of the lever upwardly adjusts the height of the front of the seat cushion and the rotation of the lever downwardly adjusts the height of the rear of the seat cushion.

34. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 33, further comprising a compression spring secured at each end to each of the ratchets on the same elongated member so that when the ratchets are each released one at a time, they rotate about the pivot point with respect to the both the base and elongated member upwardly.

35. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 32, further comprising a compression spring secured at each end to each of the ratchets on the same elongated member so that when the ratchets are each released one at a time, they rotate about the pivot point with respect to both the base and elongated member upwardly.

36. The adjustable seat assembly of claim 25, further comprising a compression spring secured at each end to each of the ratchets on the same elongated member so that when the ratchets are each released one at a time, they rotate about the pivot point with respect to both the base and elongated member upwardly.