Dual track seat adjustment apparatus

• US 7,556,233 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
• Original Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
• Inventors: Morris, Ryan, Gryp, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver; J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARSH, STEVEN M
• Application Number:
  US10/423,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20040211873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,266 Days
• Field of Search: 248/429, 248/424, 248/425, 248/419, 248/420, 297/344.1, 297/344.11, 297/346
• US Class Current: 248/419
• 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 2/085 about a transversal axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/509 Seat guided by slides or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/544 Compression or tension springs B60N2/542 takes precedence

Abstract

A fore and aft vehicle seat adjustment apparatus comprising a base having a plurality of opposingly located tracks disposed thereon. Also provided is a fore and aft adjustment apparatus in communication with the base. The adjustment apparatus includes a first member connected to an opposingly located second member. The first member is positionable with respect to the second member between a first and second position. The first member also includes a plurality of locking mechanisms which are adapted to releasably engage the tracks. In the first position, the locking mechanisms engage the tracks to lock the seat in position. In the second position, the locking mechanisms are disengaged from the tracks to permit fore and aft adjustment of the seat.

Claims

1. A fore and aft vehicle seat adjustment apparatus comprising:

a base having a plurality of opposingly located tracks disposed thereon;

a fore and aft adjustment mechanism in communication with said base, said adjustment mechanism including first and second plate members, said plate members being horizontally movable relative to the base and relative to one another;

said first plate member being positionable with respect to said base between a first and second position; and

said first plate member including a plurality of locking mechanisms, said locking mechanisms adapted to releasably engage said tracks, so that with said first plate member in said first position, said locking mechanisms engage said tracks and lock said first plate member in fixed location relative to the base, and, in said second position, said locking mechanisms are disengaged from said tracks to permit fore and aft adjustment of said first plate member relative to the base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a pair of slide members, said second plate member being connected to the slide members to permit horizontal movement of the second plate member relative to both the base and first plate member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a dampener for developing a biasing force to resist movement of the second plate member relative to the first plate member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said dampener comprises two compression springs disposed between the first and second plate members.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the dampener comprises a deformable material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a lift rod connected to said first plate member to move the first plate member from the first position to the second position.