Seat suspension with downstop slide element for automatic slide gap adjustment
First Claim
1. A downstop slide element having an overall width that automatically adjusts to compensate for dimensional variations between relatively movable parts of a seat suspension due to manufacturing tolerance and wear comprising:
- first and second leaf members having spaced apart first and second top and bottom walls, front and rear walls, and inner and outer walls, respectively;
connecting means interconnecting said leaf members to place said first and second inner walls in opposed confronting relation for movement toward and away from each other to form a longitudinally extending gap therebetween of variable width;
a first biasing means for normally urging said pair of leaf members apart;
a first tapered portion on said inner wall of at least one of said leaf members;
a cam surface on said front wall of at least one of said leaf members;
a width adjuster means positioned in said gap between said confronting walls and including a second tapered portion in face-to-face sliding engagement with said first tapered portion and a cam follower means in contact with said front wall cam surface; and
a second biasing means normally biasing said width adjuster to move said first and second tapered portions relative to each other in a direction to cause said gap to widen and increase the overall width of said downstop slide element as required to compensate for dimensional differences between said parts due to tolerances and wear.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A seat suspension including a downstop slide element having an overall width that automatically adjusts to compensate for dimensional variations between relatively stationary and movable frame parts of the seat suspension due to manufacturing tolerances and wear. The downstop has first and second leaf members having spaced apart first and second top and bottom walls, front and rear walls, and inner and outer walls, respectively. A connecting member interconnects the leaf members to place the first and second inner walls in opposed confronting relation for movement toward and away from each other to form a longitudinally extending slide gap therebetween of variable width. A first biasing member is provided to normally urge the pair of leaf members apart. A first tapered portion is provided on the inner wall of at least one of the leaf members. A cam surface is provided on the front wall of at least one of the leaf members. A width adjuster is positioned in the slide gap between the confronting walls and includes a second tapered portion in face-to-face sliding engagement with the first tapered portion and a cam follower in contact with the front wall cam surface. A second biasing member is provided to normally bias the width adjuster to move the respective tapered portions relative to each other in a direction to cause the gap to widen and increase the overall width of the downstop slide element as required to compensate for dimensional differences between the parts due to tolerances and wear and provide lateral stability to the seat suspension.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A downstop slide element having an overall width that automatically adjusts to compensate for dimensional variations between relatively movable parts of a seat suspension due to manufacturing tolerance and wear comprising:
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first and second leaf members having spaced apart first and second top and bottom walls, front and rear walls, and inner and outer walls, respectively; connecting means interconnecting said leaf members to place said first and second inner walls in opposed confronting relation for movement toward and away from each other to form a longitudinally extending gap therebetween of variable width; a first biasing means for normally urging said pair of leaf members apart; a first tapered portion on said inner wall of at least one of said leaf members; a cam surface on said front wall of at least one of said leaf members; a width adjuster means positioned in said gap between said confronting walls and including a second tapered portion in face-to-face sliding engagement with said first tapered portion and a cam follower means in contact with said front wall cam surface; and a second biasing means normally biasing said width adjuster to move said first and second tapered portions relative to each other in a direction to cause said gap to widen and increase the overall width of said downstop slide element as required to compensate for dimensional differences between said parts due to tolerances and wear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A seat suspension assembly for a vehicle seat comprising:
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a stationary support frame means adapted to be mounted on the vehicle; an intermediate frame means having a channel means thereon; a suspension means mounting said intermediate frame channel means on said stationary support means for vertical sliding movement relative thereto with a slide gap existing between said channel means and said stationary support means; a seat support frame means mounted on said intermediate frame; and a downstop slide element mounted on said slide gap between said stationary support means and said channel means, said slide element having an overall width that automatically adjusts to fill said slide gap to compensate for dimensional variations therein due to manufacturing tolerances and wear and minimize lateral instability between said stationary and intermediate frame means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification