Vehicle seat with an adjustable-height seat frame

• US 5,782,533 A
• Filed: 02/18/1997
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Original Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Inventors: Krug, Bernd, Kroner, Gregor, Fischer, Markus, Taubmann, Werner, Angermuller, Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US08/801,177
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 297/330, 297/338, 297/339, 297/344.15, 248/419, 248/421
• US Class Current: 297/338
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4221 due to impact coming from the front
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4228 due to impact coming from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4249 fixed structures, i.e. where neither the seat nor a part thereof are displaced during a crash

Abstract

A vehicle seat constructed in accordance with principles of this invention comprises stopping means that serve to conduct forces introduced via a movable belt mounting point during a frontal impact directly to the side rail, without having to transmit the entire load via the adjusting mechanism. A vehicle seat includes a seat frame having a seat belt mounting point, and an upper rail that is connected to the seat frame by at least one adjusting lever and at least one compensating lever extending from the upper rail to the seat frame. The seat includes a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat frame. The height adjusting mechanism includes a drive shaft connected to an end of the adjusting lever, wherein rotation of the shaft effects vertical movement of the adjusting lever and height adjustment of the seat frame. The seat includes a stopping means that limits a maximum adjustment path of the seat frame, wherein in a stop position a belt force from the seat frame is introduced directly into the upper rail and bypasses the adjusting mechanism.

Claims

1. A height adjustable vehicle seat comprising:

a seat frame adapted for accommodating a seat cushion therein;

an upper rail of a longitudinal seat adjuster disposed below the seat frame;

a first bracket directly attached at one end to the upper rail and directly attached at an opposite end to the seat frame, wherein the first bracket is attached to one end of the seat frame;

a second bracket directly attached at one end to the upper rail and directly attached at an opposite end to the seat frame, wherein the second bracket is attached adjacent an end of the seat frame opposite from the first bracket;

stopping means attached to the upper rail;

a third bracket directly attached at one end to the seat frame near the first bracket, and attached at an opposite end to the stopping means, wherein the stopping means limits movement of the third bracket end; and

means for pivoting the first bracket about the upper rail, wherein activation of such means effects a height adjustment of the seat frame relative to the upper rail;

wherein the second bracket is pivotally attached at opposite ends to the seat frame and upper rail, wherein the first bracket is pivotally attached at one end to the seat frame, and wherein the third bracket is pivotally attached at one end to an attachment point between the first bracket and the seat frame.

2. A height adjustable vehicle seat comprising:

a seat frame adapted for accommodating a seat cushion therein;

comprising an upper rail a longitudinal seat adjuster disposed below the seat frame;

a first lever attached at one end to the upper rail and pivotally attached at an opposite end to the seat frame, wherein the first lever is attached adjacent an end of the seat frame;

a second lever pivotally attached at one end to the upper rail and pivotally attached at an opposite end to an end of the seat frame opposite from the first lever;

stopping means attached to the upper rail;

a third lever attached at one end to the seat frame at an attachment point between the first lever and the seat frame, and attached at an opposite end to the stopping means, wherein the stopping means limits movement of the opposite end of the third lever; and

means for rotating the first lever about the upper rail, wherein activation of such means effects a height adjustment of the seat frame relative to the upper rail.