Seat track assembly for fold and flip seat

• US 6,474,739 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Incorporated (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Original Assignee: DUEA Global Technologies
• Inventors: Lagerweij, Richard Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDELL, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US09/691,335
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 297/341, 297/344.1, 297/378.12
• US Class Current: 297/341
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0705 omega-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0825 outside the rail
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0843 about a longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0875 in a vertical direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/123 and provided with memory locks
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3002 back-rest movements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3011 the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/305 the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame

Abstract

A seat includes a pivotable mount and a release member movable between a normal position wherein a locking device is in a locked position and a release position wherein the locking device is in an unlocked position. A bypass link moves the release member to the release position when a seat back pivots to a fully folded position and a movable track is in a predetermined release position so that the movable track moves to a predetermined memory position. When the movable track is in the predetermined memory position, the bypass link moves independently of the release so that the bypass link enters a bypass position, and the release member is in the normal position, when the seat back is in the fully folded position. Thus, the fully folded and locked seat can be flipped to a stowed position.

Claims

1. A seat track assembly comprising, in combination:

a mount pivotable between a first position and a second position;

a first track attached to the mount;

a second track operably engaging the first track, the second track slideable between a full forward position and a full rearward position with respect to the first track;

wherein orientation of the first track and the second track changes when the mount is pivoted between the first position and the second position;

a seat back attachment arm supported for pivotal movement relative to the second track;

a locking device supported on the second track, the locking device moveable between a locked position where the locking device maintains the second track in a desired position relative to the first track and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track;

a release member movable between a normal position and a release position, the release member maintaining the locking device in the unlocked position such that the second track can move relative to the first track when the release member is in the release position;

a bypass link operatively connected to the seat back attachment arm, the bypass link causing the release member to move to the release position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to a fully folded position and the second track is in a predetermined release position, the bypass link moving independently of the release member when the second track is in a predetermined memory position relative to the first track such that the bypass link enters a bypass position when the seat back attachment arm is in the fully folded position and the second track is in the predetermined memory position; and

whereby the first track and the second track are selectively movable between an operation position and a storage position with the locking device in the locked position by pivoting the mount when the seat back attachment arm is in the fully folded position and the second track is in the predetermined memory position.

2. The seat track assembly of claim 1 wherein a memory stop contacts the bypass link when the second track is in the predetermined memory position to allow the bypass link to move independently of the release member.

3. The seat track assembly of claim 1 further comprising biasing means for biasing the second track toward the full rearward position.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a spring biasing the locking device toward the locked position.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a spring biasing the bypass link toward a normal link position where the bypass link will cause the release member to move to the release position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to the fully folded position.

6. The seat track assembly of claim 1 wherein the release member comprises a lever operatively connected to the locking device.

7. The seat track assembly of claim 1 wherein the release member is mounted to a mounting bracket attached to the second track and wherein the release member comprises a cam plate pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket by a first pivot pin, the cam plate having a camming lobe that applies a lateral force to slideably engage the locking device to move the locking device between the locked and unlocked positions.

8. The locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein the predetermined memory position is at the full rearward position.

9. A seat track assembly comprising, in combination:

a mount pivotable between a first position and a second position;

a first track attached to the mount;

a second track operably engaging the first track, the second track slideable between a full forward position and a full rearward position with respect to the first track;

a seat back attachment arm supported for pivotal movement relative to the second track;

a locking device supported on the second track, the locking device moveable between a locked position where the locking device maintains the second track in a desired position relative to the first track and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track;

a release member movable between a normal position and a release position, the release member maintaining the locking device in the unlocked position such that the second track can move relative to the first track when the release member is in the release position;

a bypass link operatively connected to the seat back attachment arm, the bypass link causing the release member to move to the release position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to a fully folded position and the second track is in a predetermined release position, the bypass link moving independently of the release member when the second track is in a predetermined memory position relative to the first track such that the bypass link enters a bypass position when the seat back attachment arm is in the fully folded position and the second track is in the predetermined memory position;

wherein the release member comprises a lever operatively connected to the locking device;

a rotation link pivotally supported with respect to a longitudinal access of the track assembly, the rotation link having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively connected to the lever so that rotation of the rotation link will move the lever, the second end having a pin that is positioned in an L-shaped slot in the bypass link, the L-shaped slot having a first end and a second end;

wherein pivoting the seat back attachment arm to the fully folded position while the pin of the rotation link is positioned at the first end of the slot in the bypass link rotates the rotation link; and

wherein a memory stop contacts the bypass link when the second track is in the predetermined memory position such that the bypass link moves independently of the release member to enter the bypass position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to the fully folded position, the pin on the second end of the rotation link being positioned at the second end of the L-shaped slot of the bypass link when the bypass link is in the bypass position.

10. A seat track assembly comprising, in combination:

a mount pivotable between a first position and a second position;

a first track attached to the mount;

a second track operably engaging the first track, the second track slideable between a full forward position and a full rearward position with respect to the first track;

a seat back attachment arm supported for pivotal movement relative to the second track;

a locking device supported on the second track, the locking device moveable between a locked position where the locking device maintains the second track in a desired position relative to the first track and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track;

a release member movable between a normal position and a release position, the release member maintaining the locking device in the unlocked position such that the second track can move relative to the first track when the release member is in the release position;

a bypass link operatively connected to the seat back attachment arm, the bypass link causing the release member to move to the release position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to a fully folded position and the second track is in a predetermined release position, the bypass link moving independently of the release member when the second track is in a predetermined memory position relative to the first track such that the bypass link enters a bypass position when the seat back attachment arm is in the fully folded position and the second track is in the predetermined memory position;

wherein the release member is mounted to a mounting bracket attached to the second track;

wherein the release member comprises a cam plate pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket by a first pivot pin, the cam plate having a camming lobe that applies a lateral force to slideably engage the locking device to move the locking device between the locked and unlocked positions;

wherein the cam plate has a second pivot pin, the second pivot pin being mounted to the cam plate in an arcuate slot on the bypass link so that the bypass link is slideable with respect to the second pivot pin, the arcuate slot having a first end and a second end, the bypass link being rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket by a third pivot pin, the third pivot pin being slideably mounted in a linear slot in the mounting bracket, the linear slot having a first end and a second end;

wherein linear movement of the third pivot pin in the linear slot from the first end to the second end causes the bypass link to rotate the cam plate; and

wherein a memory stop contacts the bypass link when the second track is in the predetermined memory position such that the bypass link moves independently of the release member to enter the bypass position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to the fully folded position, the second pivot pin of the cam plate being positioned at the second end of the arcuate slot of the bypass link when the bypass link is in the bypass position.

11. A seat track assembly comprising, in combination:

a mount pivotable between a first position and a second position;

a first track attached to the mount;

a second track operably engaging the first track, the second track slideable between a full forward position and a full rearward position with respect to the first track;

wherein orientation of the first track and the second track changes when the mount is pivoted between the first position and the second position;

a seat back attachment arm supported for pivotal movement relative to the second track;

a locking device supported on the second track, the locking device moveable between a locked position where the locking device maintains the second track in a desired position relative to the first track and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track;

means for moving the locking device from the locked position to the unlocked position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to a fully folded position and the second track is in a predetermined release position relative to the first track and for returning the locking device to the locked position when the second track is moved to a predetermined memory position relative to the first track; and

whereby the first track and the second track are selectively movable between an operation position and a storage position with the locking device in the locked position by pivoting the mount when the seat back attachment arm is in the fully folded position and the second track is in the predetermined memory position.

12. The seat track assembly of claim 11 wherein the moving and returning means maintain the locking device in the locked position when the second track is in the predetermined memory position and the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to the fully folded position.

13. The seat track assembly of claim 11 further comprising biasing means for biasing the second track toward the full rearward position.

14. The locking mechanism of claim 11 further comprising a spring biasing the locking device toward the locked position.

15. The locking mechanism of claim 11 wherein the predetermined memory position is at the full rearward position.

16. A seat track assembly comprising, in combination:

a mount pivotable between a first position and a second position;

a first track attached to the mount;

a second track operably engaging the first track, the second track slideable between a full forward position and a full rearward position with respect to the first track;

a seat back attachment arm supported for pivotal movement relative to the second track;

a locking device supported on the second track, the locking device moveable between a locked position where the locking device maintains the second track in a desired position relative to the first track and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track;

means for moving the locking device from the locked position to the unlocked position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to a fully folded position and the second track is in a predetermined release position relative to the first track and for returning the locking device to the locked position when the second track is moved to a predetermined memory position relative to the first track;

wherein the moving means comprise;

a release member movable between a normal position and a release position, the release member maintaining the locking device in the unlocked position such that the second track can move relative to the first track when the release member is in the release position;

a bypass link operatively connected to the seat back attachment arm; and

a memory stop;

wherein pivoting the seat back attachment arm to the fully folded position while the second track is in the predetermined release position actuates the bypass link to move the release member from the normal position to the release position;

wherein movement of the second track to the predetermined memory position when the seat back attachment arm has been pivoted to the fully folded position causes the memory stop to contact the bypass link and move the bypass link to a bypass position where the release member is returned to the normal position; and

wherein the memory stop contacts the bypass link when the second track is in the predetermined memory position so that the bypass link is moved to a bypass position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to the filly folded position, thereby maintaining the locking device in the locked position.

17. The seat track assembly of claim 16, wherein the release member comprises a lever operatively connected to the locking device.

18. The seat track assembly of claim 17 further comprising a rotation link pivotally supported with respect to a longitudinal access of the track assembly, the rotation link having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively connected to the lever so that rotation of the rotation link will move the lever, the second end having a pin that is positioned in an L-shaped slot in the bypass link, the L-shaped slot having a first end and a second end;

wherein pivoting the seat back attachment arm to the filly folded position while the pin of the rotation link is positioned at the first end of the slot in the bypass link rotates the rotation link; and

wherein the memory stop contacts the bypass link when the second track is in the predetermined memory position such that the bypass link moves independently of the release member to enter the bypass position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to the fully folded position, the pin on the second end of the rotation link being positioned at the second end of the L-shaped slot of the bypass link when the bypass link is in the bypass position.

19. The seat track assembly of claim 16 wherein the release member is mounted to a mounting bracket attached to the second track and wherein the release member comprises a cam plate connected to the mounting bracket with a first pivot pin such that the cam plate is rotatable, the cam plate having a camming lobe that applies a lateral force to slideably engage the locking device to move the locking device between the locked and unlocked positions.

20. The seat track assembly of claim 19 wherein the cam plate has a second pivot pin, the second pivot pin being mounted to the cam plate in an arcuate slot on the bypass link so that the bypass link is slideable with respect to the second pivot pin, the arcuate slot having a first end and a second end, the bypass link being rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket by a third pivot pin, the third pivot pin being slideably mounted in a linear slot in the mounting bracket, the linear slot having a first end and a second end;

wherein linear movement of the third pivot pin in the linear slot from the first end to the second end causes the bypass link to rotate the cam plate; and

wherein the memory stop contacts the bypass link when the second track is in the predetermined memory position such that the bypass link moves independently of the release member to enter the bypass position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to the fully folded position, the second pivot pin of the cam plate being positioned at the second end of the arcuate slot of the bypass link when the bypass link is in the bypass position.

21. The locking mechanism of claim 16 further comprising a spring biasing the bypass link toward a normal position where the bypass link will cause the release member to move to the release position when the seat back attachment arm is pivoted to the fully folded position.