Seat lifting devices

• US 6,851,753 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2003
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Tatematsu, Kazuhisa, Inadome, Seiichiro, Nishimura, Seiya, Akaike, Fumitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): White, Rodney B.
• Application Number:
  US10/438,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20030218369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 297/344.17, 297/344.15, 297/216.15, 297/216.16, 297/216.17, 297/216.18, 297/216.1, 248/421, 248/419, 248/420
• US Class Current: 297/344.17
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1625 Combination of rods and slides
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/164 Linear actuator, e.g. screw mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1685 characterised by a lock

Abstract

Seat lifting devices disposed between a seat support for supporting a seat cushion and a seat mount for mounting the seat support are taught that comprise a front and rear linking mechanisms movably interconnecting the seat support and the seat mount. These linking mechanisms are arranged and constructed to vertically adjust the seat cushion when operated. The rear linking mechanism comprises a first linking arm that is pivotally connected to the seat mount and the seat support, and a second linking arm that is pivotally connected to the seat support. The second linking arm is provided with a rear slide pin that slidably engages a rear guide slot formed in the seat mount. The rear slide pin is arranged and constructed to engage a plurality of teeth formed in the rear guide slot when a large force is applied to the seat support in a direction to separate the seat support from the seat mount.

Claims

1. A seat lifting device operatively connected to a seat support for supporting a seat cushion and a seat mount for mounting the seat support, comprising:

front and rear linking mechanism movably interconnecting the seat support and the seat mount, the linking mechanisms being arranged and constructed to vertically adjust the seat when operated,

wherein the rear linking mechanism comprises a first linking arm that is pivotally connected to the seat mount and the seat support and a second linking arm that is pivotally connected to the seat support, and the second linking arm is provided with a rear slide pin that slidably engages a rear guide slot formed in the seat mount, wherein the rear slide pin is connected to a drive mechanism such that the rear linking mechanism is operated when the rear slide pin is slid by the drive mechanism, and wherein the rear slide pin is arranged and constructed to engage a plurality of teeth formed in the rear guide slot when a large force is applied to the seat support in a direction to separate the seat support from the seat mount.

2. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 1, wherein the front linking mechanism comprising a first linking arm that is pivotally connected to the seat mount and the seat support, and a second linking arm that is pivotally connected to the seat support, and the second linking arm is provided with a front slide pin that slidably engages a front guide slot formed in the seat mount.

3. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 2, wherein the front and rear slide pins are interconnected by means of a linking member, and wherein the linking member is connected to a drive mechanism.

4. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 3, wherein the teeth comprise a series of teeth that are formed along an upper edge of the rear guide slot.

5. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 2, wherein the teeth comprise a series of teeth that are formed along an upper edge of the rear guide slot.

6. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 1, wherein the teeth comprise a series of teeth that are formed along an upper edge of the rear guide slot.

7. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 1, wherein the rear slide pin has a recess that can engage the teeth of the rear guide slot.