Fitting system for a vehicle seat

• US 7,240,965 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2005
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Company KG (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Company KG (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Messerschmidt, Rainer, Schuler, Rolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr.; Milton
• Application Number:
  US11/267,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20060061197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 297/344.15, 297/452.18, 297/361.1, 297/325
• US Class Current: 297/344.15
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1635 characterised by the drive mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/18 the front or the rear portion of the seat being adjustable, e.g. independently of each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1842 pivoting about an axis located in the rear
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/185 characterised by the drive mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/933 rotatable

Abstract

In the case of a fitting system for a vehicle seat (1), in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having at least one fitting (15, 35, 45) and a structural part (11) on which the fitting (15) is to be fixed, the fitting parts are substantially disk-shaped, can be rotated relative to each other, are axially held together by a clutch ring (19) arranged along the periphery, and the clutch ring (19) is designed in a manner such that it is integrated in the structural part (11).

Claims

1. A fitting system for a vehicle seat, the fitting system comprising:

at least one fitting, wherein the fitting includes first and second fitting parts that are substantially disk-shaped; and

a structural part having a cup-shaped receptacle, wherein the cup-shaped receptacle includes an at least partially encircling wall region that defines a clutch ring formed integrally with the structural part, wherein

the cup-shaped receptacle is in receipt of the fitting,

the first and second fitting parts are axially held together by the clutch ring,

there can be relative rotation between the first and second fitting parts,

the receptacle includes a base,

the base includes an opening, and

the second fitting part is accessible through the opening in the base of the receptacle.

2. The fitting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural part'"'"'s material thickness is greater at the clutch ring than in other regions of the structural part.

3. The fitting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fitting is a latching fitting or a geared fitting.

4. The fitting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural part is a side part of a seat frame of the vehicle seat.

5. The fitting system as claimed in claim 1 in combination with the vehicle seat, wherein the fitting is operative for adjusting at least a portion of the vehicle seat.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adjusting is selected from the group consisting of:

adjusting inclination of a seat cushion of the vehicle seat,

adjusting the vehicle seat'"'"'s height, and

adjusting inclination of the vehicle seat'"'"'s backrest.

7. The fitting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle is deep drawn.

8. The fitting system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the structural part'"'"'s material thickness is greater at the clutch ring than in other regions of the structural part.

9. The fitting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fitting part is pressed into the clutch ring.

10. The fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the structural part'"'"'s material thickness is greater at the clutch ring than in other regions of the structural part.

11. The fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the structural part is a side part of a seat frame of the vehicle seat.

12. The fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first fitting part is laser-welded to the structural part.

13. The fitting system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the structural part is a side part of a seat frame of the vehicle seat.

14. A vehicle seat, comprising:

a seat frame having a side part that includes a front end and a rear end, wherein the side part has a cup-shaped receptacle;

a backrest, a front crosspiece, a rear cross piece and a seat cushion that is carried by the front and rear crosspieces, wherein the front crosspiece is connected to the side part proximate the front end of the side part, the rear crosspiece is connected to the side part proximate the rear end of the side part, and the backrest is connected to the side part proximate the rear end of the side part; and

a fitting system that is operative for adjusting at least a portion of the vehicle seat, wherein

the fitting system comprises the cup-shaped receptacle and at least one fitting,

the fitting includes first and second fitting parts that are substantially disk-shaped,

the cup-shaped receptacle includes an at least partially encircling wall region that defines a clutch ring formed integrally with the side part,

the cup-shaped receptacle is in receipt of the fitting,

the first and second fitting parts are axially held together by the clutch ring, and

there can be relative rotation between the first and second fitting parts.

15. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the receptacle is defined in the side part at a position that is proximate the front end of the side part, and the front crosspiece being connected to side part is by way of the receptacle.

16. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the receptacle is defined in the side part at a position that is proximate the rear end of the side part, and the backrest being connected to side part is by way of the receptacle.

17. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the receptacle includes a base, the base includes an opening, and the second fitting part is accessible through the opening in the base of the receptacle.

18. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the side part'"'"'s material thickness is greater at the clutch ring than in other regions of the side part.

19. A fitting system for a vehicle seat, the fitting system comprising:

at least one fitting, wherein the fitting includes first and second fitting parts that are substantially disk-shaped; and

a structural part having a cup-shaped receptacle, wherein

the cup-shaped receptacle includes an at least partially encircling wall region that defines a clutch ring formed integrally with the structural part,

the cup-shaped receptacle is in receipt of the fitting,

the first and second fitting parts are axially held together by the clutch ring,

there can be relative rotation between the first and second fitting parts,

the structural part is a side part of a seat frame of the vehicle seat,

the fitting is a first fitting,

the receptacle is a first receptacle,

the wall region is a first wall region,

the clutch ring is a first clutch ring,

the side part includes at least both the first receptacle and a cup-shaped second receptacle,

the second receptacle includes an at least partially encircling wall region that defines a second clutch ring formed integrally with the side part of the vehicle seat'"'"'s seat frame,

the fitting system further includes at least a second fitting,

the second fitting includes fitting parts that are substantially disk-shaped,

the second receptacle is in receipt of the second fitting,

the fitting parts of the second fitting are axially held together by the second clutch ring, and

there can be relative rotation between the fitting parts of the second fitting.

20. The fitting system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first receptacle includes a base, the base includes an opening, and the second fitting part of the first fitting is accessible through the opening in the base of the receptacle.