Easy install hinge connection

• US 7,465,282 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2006
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schukra North America Limited (Schukra)
• Original Assignee: Schukra North America Limited (Schukra)
• Inventors: Gobbo, Jeremie
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US11/437,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20070270729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 602/5, 602/19, 602 32- 40, 602/16, 128845-846, 128869-870
• US Class Current: 602/5
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/666 vertically adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6671 with cable actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6673 with motor driven adjustments

Abstract

A lever connection comprises a lever having a cable end and a spring end and a pivot point therebetween, and a cable having a cable end fitting attached to an end thereof. The cable end fitting comprises a cable clamp and a frame, the cable clamp being adapted for attachment of the end fitting to the cable, the frame comprising first and second side members, a top member, and a bottom member. The top member is adjacent to the cable clamp and the frame defines an orifice between the first and second side members and the top and bottom members, the side members having a distance therebetween. The cable end of the lever comprises a bearing being sized for insertion through the orifice of the end fitting and adapted for engagement with the bottom member of the frame of the end fitting.

Claims

1. A lever connection for a lumbar support device, comprising:

a lever having a cable end and a spring end and a pivot point therebetween;

a cable having a cable end fitting attached to an end thereof;

said cable end fitting comprising a cable clamp and a frame, said cable clamp being adapted for attachment of said end fitting to said cable, said frame comprising first and second side members, a top member, and a bottom member, said top member being adjacent said cable clamp and said frame defining an orifice between said first and second side members and said top and bottom members, said side members having a distance therebetween; and

said cable end of said lever comprising a bearing being sized for insertion through said orifice of said end fitting and adapted for engagement with said bottom member of said frame of said end fitting.

2. The lever connection of claim 1 wherein said bearing comprises a curved structure along a side of said lever at said cable end of said lever, said curved structure having a concave interior profile.

3. The lever connection of claim 1 wherein said bottom member of said frame of said cable end fining has a cylindrical profile.

4. The lever connection of claim 3 wherein said bearing has a semicircular opening that matingly engages with said cylindrical profile of said bottom member of said frame of said cable end fining.

5. The lever connection of claim 1 wherein said spring end of said lever is operably attached to a spring.

6. The lever connection of claim 1 wherein said lever is flat and has a thickness, wherein said thickness is smaller than said distance between said side members of said frame of said cable end fitting.

7. A lever connection for a lumbar support device, comprising:

a lever having a cable end and a spring end and a pivot point therebetween;

a cable having a cable end fining attached to an end thereof;

said cable end fitting comprising a cable clamp and a frame, said cable clamp being adapted for attachment of said end fitting to said cable, said frame comprising first and second side members, a top member, and a bottom member, said top member being adjacent said cable clamp and said frame defining an orifice between said first and second side members and said top and bottom members, said side members having a distance therebetween;

said cable end of said lever comprising a bearing being sized for insertion through said orifice of said end fitting and adapted for engagement with the bottom member of said frame of said end fitting, said bearing comprising a curved structure along a side of said lever at said cable end of said lever, said curved structure having a concave interior profile;

said bottom member of said frame of said cable end fitting having a cylindrical profile;

said bearing having a semicircular opening that matingly engages with said cylindrical profile of said bottom member of said frame of said cable end fitting;

said spring end of said lever being operably attached to a spring; and

said lever being flat and having a thickness, wherein said thickness is smaller than said distance between said side members of said frame of said cable end fitting.