Device for releasably fastening a vehicle seat or parts of a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle

• US 6,431,631 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2001
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Coburg
• Original Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Inventors: Hofmann, Jochen, Kroener, Gregor
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARPENTER, SCOTT A
• Application Number:
  US09/831,016
• Time in Patent Office: 465 Days
• Field of Search: 296/65.03, 296/65.13, 296/65.01, 439/34
• US Class Current: 296/65.03
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01508 using quick release attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01516 with locking mechanisms

Abstract

A device for releasably fastening a vehicle seat or parts of a vehicle seat includes at least one electrical contact element that can couple with an electric contact element on the vehicle side, in a motor vehicle having a locking mechanism that can be unlocked to remove the seat or parts of the seat from the motor vehicle. A removal lock prevents unlocking of the locking mechanism when the two contact elements are coupled. The removal lock includes a securing element which, when the contact elements are coupled together, is mounted between a movable locking element of the locking mechanism and a stop connected to the vehicle seat. The removal lock is forced by the locking element against the stop when an attempt is made to unlock the seat.

Claims

1. A seat fastening assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one part of a vehicle seat, which has at least one electric contact element which can be coupled to an electric contact element from another portion of the motor vehicle;

a locking mechanism which can be unlocked to remove the at least one part of the vehicle seat from the motor vehicle; and

a removal lock which prevents unlocking of the locking mechanism when the two contact elements are in a coupled position,

wherein the removal lock includes a securing element which when the contact elements are in the coupled position is mounted between a movable locking element of the locking mechanism and a stop connected to the vehicle seat, and which is forced against the stop by the locking element when an attempt is made at unlocking the seat.

2. Device according to claim 1 wherein the forces exerted by the locking element on the securing element are directed onto the stop so that the securing element transfers essentially only compression forces to the stop.

3. Device according to one of the claims 1 and 2 wherein the securing element is arranged between the locking element and the stop such that the forces exerted by the locking element engage on a side of the securing element which provides the greatest resistance moment to any shear forces.

4. Device according to claim 2 wherein the securing element is designed with a flat surface at least in one section and the forces exerted by the locking element engage on an edge of the flat surface section.

5. Device according to claim 2 wherein the securing element has a reinforcement in the area in which the forces exerted by the locking element engage.

6. Device according to claim 1 wherein the securing element is formed in one piece.

7. Device according to claim 1 wherein the securing element is formed as a sheet metal part.

8. Device according to claim 1 wherein the securing element is formed as an Outsert part in which metal function areas are injection moulded into a plastics cover.

9. Device according to claim 1 wherein the securing element is connected for swivel movement to the at least one part of the vehicle seat.

10. Device according to claim 9 wherein the swivel movement is guaranteed through a bending area integrated into that of the securing element.

11. Device according to claim 10 wherein the securing element is connected to the at least one part of the vehicle seat through a suspension mounting.

12. Device according to one of claims 9 and 10 wherein the securing element is integrated in one piece into a housing of the contact element on the seat side of the at least one part of the vehicle seat.

13. Device according to claim 1 wherein the securing element has an operating section through which the securing element enters into active connection with the contact element on the vehicle side when the contact elements are in the coupled position wherein the securing element is guided between the locking element and the stop.

14. Device according to claim 10 wherein a resilient section is formed in one piece on the securing element through which the securing element is supported on the at least one part of the vehicle seat and which counteracts movement of the securing element between the locking element and the stop.

15. Device according to claim 1 wherein the securing element is connected to the contact element on the vehicle side.

16. Device according to claim 15 wherein the securing element is integrated in one piece in a housing of the contact element on the vehicle side.

17. Device according to claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is connected to a lower rail of a longitudinal seat adjustment device through at least one bearing block.

18. Device according to claim 17 wherein the stop is formed on the bearing block.

19. Device according to one of claims 17 and 18 wherein a passage opening for the securing element is provided in the bearing block.

20. Device according to claim 17 wherein the locking element is able to swivel together with a lock element of the locking mechanism.

21. Device according to claim 20 wherein the locking element is mounted on the same axis as a lock element of the locking mechanism.

22. Device according to claim 1 wherein the contact elements are formed as plug elements.

23. A seat fastening for a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one part of a vehicle seat to be releasably fastened to the motor vehicle, the at least one part having at least one electric contact element to be coupled to an electric contact element from another portion of the motor vehicle and a stop;

a locking mechanism movable between a locked position to secure the at least one part of the vehicle seat to the motor vehicle and an unlocked position to permit removal of the at least one part of the vehicle seat from the motor vehicle; and

a removal lock movable between a first position which permits the locking mechanism to move from the locked position to the unlocked position and a second position that prevents movement of the locking mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position;

wherein the first position of the removal lock blocks access for electrical connection to the at least one electric contact element and the second position of the removal lock permits access for the electrical connection to the at least one electric contact element.

24. The seat fastening assembly of claim 23, wherein the removal lock includes a securing element that can be forced against the stop by a locking element of the locking mechanism during an attempt to move the locking mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position.