Simplified linkage assembly
First Claim
1. A linkage assembly comprising, in combination:
- a track assembly comprising inboard and outboard tracks, with each inboard and outboard track having a first member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure and a second member second member mounted for movement relative to the first member;
a rotatable first torque tube extending between the inboard and outboard tracks at a forward position;
a rotatable second torque tube extending between the inboard and outboard tracks at a rearward position;
a first link having a first mounting portions and attached to rotate with the first torque tube; and
a second link having a second mounting portion aligned with the first mounting portion, wherein the first mounting portion is deformed into engagement with said second mounting portion to rotatably connect the first link to the second link.
16 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A linkage assembly is used to vertically adjust the position of a seat. The linkage assembly includes a first link that is connected to a second link without the use of fasteners. The first link has a first mounting portion and the second link has a second mounting portion. The first mounting portion is deformed into engagement with the second mounting portion to rotatably connect the first link to the second link. In one embodiment, the first mounting portion is an extrusion that extends through an aperture in the second link. An end of the extrusion is deformed into engagement with the second link to form a lip to lock the first link to the second link and allow relative rotational movement between the first and second links while eliminating relative linear movement therebetween. In an alternative embodiment, portions of the first and second links are deformed into locking engagement.
21 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A linkage assembly comprising, in combination:
-
a track assembly comprising inboard and outboard tracks, with each inboard and outboard track having a first member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure and a second member second member mounted for movement relative to the first member;
a rotatable first torque tube extending between the inboard and outboard tracks at a forward position;
a rotatable second torque tube extending between the inboard and outboard tracks at a rearward position;
a first link having a first mounting portions and attached to rotate with the first torque tube; and
a second link having a second mounting portion aligned with the first mounting portion, wherein the first mounting portion is deformed into engagement with said second mounting portion to rotatably connect the first link to the second link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A vehicle seat comprising, in combination:
-
a seat bottom;
a seat back supported relative to the seat bottom;
a track assembly for mounting the seat to a vehicle structure, the track assembly including an inboard track and an outboard track, each of the inboard and outboard tracks having a first member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure and a second member mounted for movement relative to the first member to horizontally adjust the position of the seat;
a first torque tube extending between the inboard and outboard tracks at a forward position;
a second torque tube extending between the inboard and outboard tracks at a rearward position; and
at least one linkage assembly mounted on each of the first and second torque tubes to vertically adjust the position of the seat, the linkage assemblies including a first link with a first mounting portion and a second link with a second mounting portion;
wherein the first mounting portion is deformed into engagement with the second mounting portion to rotatably connect the first link to the second link. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification