Slide rail for automotive seat

• US 5,048,787 A
• Filed: 04/10/1990
• Issued: 09/17/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Inventors: Saitoh, Seishiroh
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Gary L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US07/507,152
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 248/429, 248/430, 296/65.1
• US Class Current: 248/430
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/071 T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped

Abstract

A slide rail used in a seat, which is of such type having an upper rail of generally inverted U-shaped section and a lower rail fitted in the upper rail slidably. In the opened area of such upper rail, there is provided a reinforcing member, in a manner extending transversely therein. In both lower rail and reinforcing member, plural lock holes are formed, and through all lock holes is engaged or disengaged a lock pawl associated with locking mechanism, for locking or unlocking the two rails, which provides a positive locking effect and robust structure.

Claims

1. A slide rail for an automotive seat comprising:

an upper rail having a generally inverted U-shaped part opened downwardly thereof;

a lower rail in which said upper rail is slidably fitted, said lower rail being at its bottom part formed with a lock hole;

a locking means for locking and unlocking said upper rail to and from said lower rail, said locking means having a lock pawl to be engaged through said lock hole of said lower rail; and

a plurality of reinforcing members of a plate-like material;

each reinforcing member are formed by bending both ends into a generally U-shaped configuration having two bent end portions, said plurality of reinforcing members being provided within said generally inverted U-shaped part of said upper rail in such manner as to extend transversely thereto, contacting their respective lateral sides with inner walls of said upper rail, and further said reinforcing members being each formed with a lock hole into which said lack paul of said locking mans is to be engaged,

whereby said upper rail is protected against deformation or damage.

2. The slide rail according to claim 1, wherein said two bent end portions of said reinforcing members are welded to the upper inner wall of said upper rail.

3. The slide rail according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is provided at said upper rail and wherein said lock pawl of said locking means is to be engaged through said lock holes respectively of said lower rail and reinforcing means.