Automotive seat track locking mechanism

• US 5,358,207 A
• Filed: 01/21/1994
• Issued: 10/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bertrand Faure Limited
• Original Assignee: Bertrand Faure Limited
• Inventors: West, Frank T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin-Shue, Alvin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAN, KO HUNG
• Application Number:
  US08/183,931
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 248/429, 248/430, 248/393, 248/222.1, 248/424, 312/333, 312/349, 312/350, 312/341.1, 297/318, 297/344, 297/311
• US Class Current: 248/430
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0705 omega-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0825 outside the rail
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0843 about a longitudinal axis

Abstract

A latchable track assembly for use with a seat in a vehicle, is disclosed. The assembly comprises first and second generally U-shaped slidably engaged track members adapted for relative sliding movement with respect to each other along a first longitudinal axis. The first track member has a first row of consecutive teeth on the first track member with the first row in aligned, generally parallel relation to the first axis, the consecutive teeth defining interstices positioned one between each pair of the consecutive teeth. There is a locking member having a least one detent portion dimensioned to be positionable within at least one of the interstices in transverse intruding relation to the first row of consecutive teeth and a bracket member rigidly attached to the second track member and adapted to laterally support the locking member in juxtaposed pivotable relation to the first track member. The locking member is mounted on the bracket member such that the at least one detent portion is selectively positionable into and out of the interstices and moves into and out of the interstices in a plane substantially transverse to the first longitudinal axis by corresponding selective operation of the locking member, thereby to selectively retain the first and second track members in fixed longitudinal latched relation with respect to each other.

Claims

1. A latchable track assembly for use with a seat in a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

first and second slidably engaged track members adapted for relative sliding movement with respect to each other along a first longitudinal axis, with said first track member being secured to said vehicle and said second track member being supported in slidable engagement by said first track member;

said first track member having a first row of consecutive teeth on said first track member with said first row of consecutive teeth in aligned, generally parallel relation to said first axis, said consecutive teeth defining interstices positioned one between each pair of said consecutive teeth;

said second track member having a second row of consecutive teeth on said second track member with said second row of consecutive teeth in aligned, generally parallel relation to said first axis, said consecutive teeth defining interstices positioned one between each pair of said consecutive teeth;

wherein said first and second track members are each generally U-shaped and when in place in said vehicle form a generally enclosed space therebetween, with said first track member being substantially enclosed by said second track member;

wherein at least some of said interstices of said first row of teeth are alignable with a corresponding number of said interstices of said second row of teeth so as to establish a corresponding number of pairs of aligned interstices;

a locking member comprising a plurality of detent portions extending outwardly from the locking member and rigidly joined to one another at their respective outer ends by a spanning portion, the detent portions being dimensioned to be positionable within at least two of said corresponding pairs of aligned interstices in transverse intruding relation to said first row of consecutive teeth;

a bracket member rigidly attached to said second track member and adapted to laterally support said locking member in juxtaposed relation to said first track member; and

,

wherein said locking member is mounted on said bracket member such that said detent portions are selectively movable into and out of said aligned interstices in a plane substantially transverse to said first longitudinal axis by corresponding selective operation of said locking member, thereby to selectively retain said first and second track members in fixed longitudinal latched relation with respect to each other; and

, wherein said teeth of said first track member are retained within said generally enclosed space, and said spanning portion is at all times also retained within said enclosed space.

2. The latchable track assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket member is adapted to support said locking member in juxtaposed relation to said first track member for pivotal movement about a second longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to said first longitudinal axis.

3. The latchable track assembly of claim 2, wherein said teeth and said interstices of said first track member are disposed generally downwardly and said detent portions of said locking member move generally vertically into and out of said interstices.

4. The latchable track assembly of claim 3, wherein said detent portions are oriented generally horizontally in the latched configuration of the track assembly.

5. The latchable track assembly of claim 4, wherein said locking member is spring biased such that said detent portions are biased toward said interstices.

6. The latchable track assembly of claim 5, further comprising a handle means securely attached to said locking member to allow a seat occupant to selectively actuate said locking member.

7. The latchable track assembly of claim 6, wherein said handle means extends outwardly from the side of said seat.

8. The latchable track assembly of claim 6, wherein said handle extends outwardly from the front of said seat.

9. The latchable track assembly of claim 8, wherein said first track member is securely affixed to said vehicle and said second track member is securely affixed to said seat.

10. The latchable track assembly of claim 1, wherein said interstices between said teeth in said first and second rows of consecutive teeth extend the length of each of said teeth so that each of said teeth has individually a free end distal to the respective of said first and second track members.

11. The latchable track assembly of claim 1, wherein said teeth in said first and second rows of consecutive teeth are an integral part of the respective of said first and second track members.