Adjustable latching device with memory feature for vehicle seat assemblies
First Claim
1. An adjustable latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another about a pivot axis between folded and unfolded operative configurations, the device comprising:
- a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member so as to define a first concentric arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member about said pivot axis;
an idler plate having a generally arcuate gear sector and being mounted for rotation about said pivot axis;
a locking arm rotatably mounted on the idler plate and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational movement of the arm so as to be adapted to restrainingly engage the latch pin thereby to cause rotation of the idler plate with the first seat member in at least one rotational direction upon pivotal folding of the first seat member about said pivot axis in said at least one rotational direction;
a first rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said restraining engagement;
a pawl means, having a head and a tail portion, and being pivotally mounted on the second seat member intermediate said head and tail portions for pivotal movement between a first rotational position whereat said head portion lockingly engages said gear sector to prevent rotation of the idler plate and a second rotational position whereat said head portion is disengaged from said gear sector to allow forsaid rotation of the idler plate about said pivot axis; and
, a second rotational control means for selectively rotating the pawl means between said first and said second rotational positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides an improved adjustable latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another about a pivot axis between folded and unfolded operative configurations. The device accommodates both the well-known "dumping" and "reclining" features and is comprised of a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member so as to define a first concentric arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member about the pivot axis and an idler plate having a generally arcuate gear sector and being mounted for rotation about the pivot axis. A locking arm is rotatably mounted on the idler plate and presents a detent portion position adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational movement of the arm so as to be adapted to lockingly engage the latch pin, which locking engagement in turn causes rotation of the idler plate with the first seat member in at least one rotational direction upon pivotal folding of the first seat member. A first rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of the aforementioned locking engagement is also provided. A pawl means having a head and a tail portion is pivotally mounted on the second seat member intermediate its head and tail portions for pivotal movement between a first rotational position at which the head portion lockingly engages the gear sector to prevent rotation of the idler plate and the second rotational position at which the head portion is disengaged from the gear sector to allow for rotation of the idler plate about the pivot axis. A second rotational control means for selectively rotating the pawl means between the aforementioned first and second rotational positions is also provided. The device disclosed is considerably simpler to manufacture and assemble than previously known devices having the same features.
49 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An adjustable latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another about a pivot axis between folded and unfolded operative configurations, the device comprising:
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a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member so as to define a first concentric arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member about said pivot axis; an idler plate having a generally arcuate gear sector and being mounted for rotation about said pivot axis; a locking arm rotatably mounted on the idler plate and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational movement of the arm so as to be adapted to restrainingly engage the latch pin thereby to cause rotation of the idler plate with the first seat member in at least one rotational direction upon pivotal folding of the first seat member about said pivot axis in said at least one rotational direction; a first rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said restraining engagement; a pawl means, having a head and a tail portion, and being pivotally mounted on the second seat member intermediate said head and tail portions for pivotal movement between a first rotational position whereat said head portion lockingly engages said gear sector to prevent rotation of the idler plate and a second rotational position whereat said head portion is disengaged from said gear sector to allow for said rotation of the idler plate about said pivot axis; and
, a second rotational control means for selectively rotating the pawl means between said first and said second rotational positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a vehicle having a seat assembly including a first, and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another about a pivot axis between folded and unfolded operative positions and an adjustable latching device for releaseably holding said seat members in said positions, the latching device comprising:
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a latch pin rigidly mounted on the first seat member so as to define a first concentric arc of movement upon said pivotal folding of the first seat member about said pivot axis; an idler plate having a generally arcuate gear sector and being mounted for rotation about said pivot axis; a locking arm rotatably mounted on the idler plate and having a detent portion positioned adjacent one end in spaced relation from the point of rotational movement of the arm so as to be adapted to restrainingly engage the latch pin thereby to cause rotation of the idler plate with the first seat member in at least one rotational direction upon pivotal folding of the first seat member about said pivot axis; a first rotational control means for selectively rotating the locking arm into and out of said locking engagement; a pawl means, having a head and a tail portion, and being pivotally mounted on the second seat member intermediate said head and tail portions for movement between a first rotational position whereat said head portion lockingly engages said gear sector to prevent rotation of the idler plate and a second rotational position whereat said head portion is disengaged from said gear sector to allow for said rotation of the idler plate about said pivot axis; and
,a second rotational control means for selectively rotating the pawl means between said first and said second rotational positions.
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Specification