Height adjusting device for automotive seat

• US 4,948,081 A
• Filed: 08/03/1989
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Inventors: Hatta, Susumu
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Application Number:
  US07/388,881
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 248/393, 248/394, 248/395, 248/396, 248/398, 248/419, 248/420, 248/421, 248/422, 297/347, 297/348, 297/339
• US Class Current: 248/396
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/165 Gear wheel driven mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/168 and provided with braking systems

Abstract

A height adjusting device for an automotive seat comprising a forward seat height adjusting mechanism adapted for height adjustment of the forward part of a seat cushion, a rearward seat height adjusting mechanism adapted for height adjustment of the rearward part of the seat cushion, a control mechanism which is operatively connected with those two height adjusting mechanism, and a pair of first and second sprocket wheels with an endless chain wound thereabout are arranged between the rearward height adjusting mechanism and control mechanism. Thus, a rattling or wobbling is avoided in the rearward height adjusting mechanism.

Claims

1. A height adjusting device for an automotive seat having a seat frame of the seat mounted therein so as to be adjustable in height, comprising:

a pair of upstanding brackets erected upon said seat frame;

a forward height adjusting mechanism adapted for height adjustment of a forward part of said seat frame;

said forward height adjusting mechanism being provided with a first non-reversible brake device;

a rearward height adjusting mechanism adapted for height adjustment of a rearward part of said seat frame;

said rearward height adjusting mechanism being provided with a second non-reversible brake device;

a first sprocket wheel connected with said rearward height adjusting mechanism via said second non-reversible brake device;

a second sprocket wheel rotatably provided in vicinity of said forward height adjusting mechanism;

an endless chain extended between said first and second sprocket wheels;

a first gear provided in a coaxial relation with said second sprocket wheel for simultaneous rotation therewith;

a second gear connected with said forward height adjusting mechanism via said first non-reversible brake device; and

a switch-over gear interposed and displaceable between said first and second gears such as to permit selective engagement of said switch-over gear with one of said first and second gears.

2. The height adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein said rearward and forward height adjusting mechanisms includes a first gear and second gear, respectively, and wherein said control mechanism includes a switch-over gear which is movable by means of a handle between said first and second gears so as to be meshed with either of said first and second gears, whereby either of said rearward and forward height adjusting mechanisms is to be actuated through said switch-over gear by operation of said handle.

3. The height adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein said control mechanism further includes a cam by which said switch-over gear is selectively displaced between said first and second gears so as to be brought in a meshed engagement with either of said first and second gears.

4. A height adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein said forward height adjusting mechanism includes a forward torque shaft which is extended rotatably between said forward areas respectively of said two brackets, a sector gear fixed on said forward torque shaft;

a pinion gear which is rotatably provided via a non-reversible brake means on one of said two brackets at its rearward area such as to be in a meshed engagement with said sector gear, and a link means operatively connecting said forward torque shaft with said seat cushion frame; and

wherein said rearward height adjusting mechanism includes;

a rearward torque shaft which is extended rotatably between said pair of upstanding brackets at their respective rearward areas;

a sector gear fixed on said rearward torque shaft;

a pinion gear which is rotatably provided on one of said brackets at its rearward area such as to be in a meshed engagement with said sector gear; and

a link means operatively connecting said rearward torque shaft with said seat cushion frame.

5. The height adjusting device according to claim 4, wherein said control mechanism further includes a rotation shaft which is rotatably supported at said one of said two brackets in a manner passing through said non-reversible brake device, to which rotation shaft is fixed said first sprocket wheel and further a first gear such that both sprocket wheel and first gear are in a coaxial relation, and a switch-over gear provided integrally at said handle, said switch-over gear being meshed engageable with said first gear, whereby operation of said handle of said control mechanism brings said switch-over gear in a mesh with said first gear and causes rotation of said first gear to thereby cause simultaneous rotation of said rotation shaft to rotate both first and second sprocket wheels via said endless chain.

6. The height adjusting device according to claim 5, wherein said control mechanism further includes a cam fixed to one end of said rotation shaft and wherein said cam is adapted to displace said switch-over gear towards and away from said first gear for engagement therewith or disengagement therefrom.