Quick connect/disconnect apparatus for removably securing armrests to vehicle seating assemblies

• US 6,447,069 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2001
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins & Aikman Floor Coverings Incorporated (Collins and Aikman Floor Coverings)
• Original Assignee: Collins & Aikman Holdings SA de CV
• Inventors: Palazzolo, Gasper J., Terris, Edward R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US09/851,186
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 297/411.29, 297/411.3, 297/411.32, 297/411.35, 297/411.38, 297/440.1, 296/153
• US Class Current: 297/411.29
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/546 of detachable type
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/753 movable to an inoperative position

Abstract

An apparatus for removably securing an armrest to a mounting pin secured to a vehicle seat includes a housing, a user-actuated retaining member movably disposed within the housing, and a pair of diverging surfaces disposed within the housing. The retaining member includes a base portion and a pair of spaced-apart, resilient arms which extend outwardly from the base portion. Each arm includes an intermediate portion and a free end. The intermediate portion of each arm is configured to engage a respective portion of a groove that extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the mounting pin when the retaining member is in a relaxed configuration. An actuator is slidably disposed within the housing and is movable so as to engage, and apply a force to, the retaining member base portion. When the actuator applies a force to the retaining member base portion, the free end of each retaining member arm is caused to slide along respective diverging surfaces to urge the intermediate portions of the retaining member arms away from each other so that they become disengaged from the mounting pin groove.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removably securing an armrest to a mounting pin, comprising:

a housing attached to the armrest, wherein the housing is configured to receive a free end of the mounting pin;

a retaining member disposed within the housing, wherein the retaining member comprises;

a base portion; and

a pair of spaced-apart, resilient arms extending from the base portion, wherein each arm includes an intermediate portion and a free end, and wherein the intermediate portion of each arm is configured to engage a respective portion of a circumferentially-extending groove adjacent the free end of the mounting pin when the retaining member is in a relaxed configuration;

a pair of spaced-apart, diverging surfaces disposed within the housing; and

an actuator slidably disposed within the housing and movable so as to engage the retaining member base portion and cause the free end of each retaining member arm to slide along a respective diverging surface to urge the retaining member arm intermediate portions away from each other so as to become disengaged from the circumferentially-extending groove such that the mounting pin can be removed from the housing.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of each retaining member arm has an arcuate configuration.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the free ends of the retaining member arms have a diverging configuration.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises steel wire.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of each arm is configured to engage a respective diametrically opposite portion of the circumferentially-extending groove.

6. An armrest for pivotal attachment to a seat assembly, comprising:

a frame;

a housing attached to the frame, wherein the housing is configured to receive a free end of a mounting pin extending outwardly from a seat assembly;

a retaining member disposed within the housing, wherein the retaining member comprises;

a base portion; and

a pair of spaced-apart, resilient arms extending from the base portion, wherein each arm includes an intermediate portion and a free end, and wherein the intermediate portion of each arm is configured to engage a respective portion of a circumferentially-extending groove adjacent the free end of the mounting pin when the retaining member is in a relaxed configuration;

a pair of spaced-apart, diverging surfaces disposed within the housing; and

an actuator slidably disposed within the housing and movable so as to engage the retaining member base portion and cause the free end of each retaining member arm to slide along a respective diverging surface to urge the retaining member arm intermediate portions away from each other so as to become disengaged from the circumferentially-extending groove and such that the mounting pin can be removed from the housing.

7. The armrest according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate portion of each retaining member arm has an arcuate configuration.

8. The armrest according to claim 6, wherein the free ends of the retaining member arms have a diverging configuration.

9. The armrest according to claim 6, wherein the retaining member comprises steel wire.

10. The armrest according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate portion of each arm is configured to engage a respective diametrically opposite portion of the circumferentially-extending groove.

11. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

a seat;

a mounting pin extending outwardly from a side portion of the seat, wherein the mounting pin has a free end and a circumferentially-extending groove on a surface thereof adjacent the free end; and

an armrest removably secured to the mounting pin, comprising;

a housing attached to the component, wherein the housing is configured to receive the free end of the mounting pin;

a retaining member disposed within the housing, wherein the retaining member comprises;

a base portion; and

a pair of spaced-apart, resilient arms extending from the base portion, wherein each arm includes an intermediate portion and a free end, and wherein the intermediate portion of each arm is configured to engage a respective portion of the circumferentially-extending groove on the mounting pin when the retaining member is in a relaxed configuration;

a pair of spaced-apart, diverging surfaces disposed within the housing; and

an actuator slidably disposed within the housing and movable so as to engage the retaining member base portion and cause the free end of each retaining member arm to slide along a respective diverging surface to urge the retaining member arm intermediate portions away from each other so as to become disengaged from the circumferentially-extending groove such that the armrest can be removed from the mounting pin.

12. The vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate portion of each retaining member arm has an arcuate configuration.

13. The vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein the free ends of the retaining member arms have a diverging configuration.

14. The vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein the retaining member comprises steel wire.

15. The vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate portion of each arm is configured to engage a respective diametrically opposite portion of the circumferentially-extending groove.