Axially adjustable roller assembly

• US 6,264,180 B1
• Filed: 05/27/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
• Original Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
• Inventors: Ropp, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberleitner, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SICONOLFI, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/321,286
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 248/429, 248/430, 248/157, 384/57, 384/58, 384/127, 384/449, 384/543, 384/569, 267/131, 267/132, 267/133, 108/144-1-1
• US Class Current: 267/131
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/508 Scissors-like structure

Abstract

An improved seat suspension assembly with axially adjustable roller and guide assemblies. The suspension uses an adjustment member the actuation of which causes the axial movement of either the roller or guide so as to adjust the spatial relationship between the roller and guide.

Claims

1. A seat suspension having an axially adjustable roller comprising:

a damper;

a support arm connected to said seat suspension, said arm connected to an outwardly extending shaft;

a roller axially aligned on said shaft and in engagement with a guide on which said roller travels; and

a positionable adjustment member, said adjustment member disposed between said arm and said roller whereby the positioning of said adjustment member permits the axial distance between said roller with respect to said guide to be adjusted.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustment member has a surface which remains in perpendicular alignment with the shaft as said adjustment member is positioned.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustment member has a surface directed inwardly towards said arm and a surface directed outwardly towards said roller, said outwardly directed surface remains in perpendicular alignment with the shaft as said adjustment member is positioned on said arm.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said arm is angled with respect to said shaft.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said angle of said arm is equal to the angle of a surface on said adjustment member.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the distal end of said shaft is slidingly positionable in an interior aperture defined by said roller.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustment member is slidingly attached to said arm.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said adjustment member is slidingly attached to said arm by a fastener.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustment member includes two leg portions through which said shaft extends.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustment member abuts against said roller.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustment member is a positionable shaft to which the roller is attached.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustment member is in the shape of a wedge.

13. A seat suspension system for maintaining the spatial position between a roller and guide comprising:

a damper;

a support arm connected to said seat suspension, said arm connected to an outwardly extending shaft;

a roller axially aligned on said shaft, said roller positioned in a predetermined spatial position with respect to a guide on which said roller travels; and

a positionable adjustment member, said positioning of said adjustment member permits the axial distance between said roller with respect to said guide to be adjusted.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said adjustment member is disposed between said arm and said roller.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein said adjustment member includes at least one threaded element the rotation of which adjusts the axial position of said guide with respect to said roller.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein said adjustment member abuts said guide and which adjusts the axial position of said guide with respect to said roller.

17. A seat suspension having an axially adjustable roller assembly comprising:

a support arm connected to said seat suspension, said arm connected to an outwardly extending shaft;

a roller axially aligned on said shaft and in engagement with a guide on which said roller travels; and

an articulating lever disposed between said arm and said roller whereby articulation of said lever permits the axial distance between said roller and said arm to be adjusted.

18. A seat suspension having an axially adjustable roller assembly comprising:

a damper;

a support arm connected to said seat suspension, said arm connected to an outwardly extending positionable shaft;

a roller axially aligned on said shaft and in engagement with a guide on which said roller travels; and

said positioning of said shaft permits the axial distance between said roller and said arm to be adjusted.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said positionable shaft includes at least one threaded portion, the rotation of which causes the axial distance between said roller and said arm to be adjusted.