Control mechanism
First Claim
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1. A folding seat assembly for motor vehicles, comprising:
- a support structure;
a seat base structure movably mounted to the support structure for fore and aft movement relative to the support structure between a forward position and a rearward position, wherein the seat base structure is biased towards the forward position;
a seat back structure pivotably mounted to the seat base structure for movement between a generally upright position and a folded position proximate the seat base structure, wherein the seat back structure is biased towards the folded position;
a first releasable latch selectively retaining the seat base structure in the rearward position;
a second releasable latch selectively retaining the seat back structure in the upright position;
a control mechanism comprising;
a housing;
a pinion member rotatably mounted to the housing for rotational movement between a retracted position and an extended position;
a movable rack member that moves between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the rack member engages the pinion member such that movement of the rack member from its retracted position to its extended position causes the pinion member to rotate from its retracted position to its extended position;
a lock member that is movable between a locked position and a released position, wherein the lock member operably engages at least one of the rack member and the pinion member and prevents movement of the pinion member from its retracted position to its extended position when the lock member is in its locked position, and wherein the lock member permits movement of the pinion member from its retracted position to its extended position when the lock member is in its released position;
first and second elongated flexible members operably connected to the pinion member such that the pinion member pulls on the first and second elongated flexible members as the pinion member rotates in a first direction from its retracted position to its extended position, wherein the first elongated flexible member is operably connected to the first releasable latch, and wherein the second elongated flexible member is operably connected to the second releasable latch, whereby the pinion member pulls on the first and second elongated flexible members and releases the first and second releasable latches as the pinion member moves from its retracted position to its extended position, such that the seat back moves from its upright position to its folded position, and the seat base structure moves from its rearward position to its forward position.
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Abstract
An energy storage mechanism for folding seats for vehicles and the like includes an energy-storing component such as a spring that assists in moving the seat or other component. The mechanism provides for relatively small user input forces and distances, yet provides a relatively large force acting over a relatively large distance as an output of the mechanism. The mechanism may be configured to provide for a single user input/release, without requiring powered actuators or the like.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A folding seat assembly for motor vehicles, comprising:
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a support structure; a seat base structure movably mounted to the support structure for fore and aft movement relative to the support structure between a forward position and a rearward position, wherein the seat base structure is biased towards the forward position; a seat back structure pivotably mounted to the seat base structure for movement between a generally upright position and a folded position proximate the seat base structure, wherein the seat back structure is biased towards the folded position; a first releasable latch selectively retaining the seat base structure in the rearward position; a second releasable latch selectively retaining the seat back structure in the upright position; a control mechanism comprising; a housing; a pinion member rotatably mounted to the housing for rotational movement between a retracted position and an extended position; a movable rack member that moves between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the rack member engages the pinion member such that movement of the rack member from its retracted position to its extended position causes the pinion member to rotate from its retracted position to its extended position; a lock member that is movable between a locked position and a released position, wherein the lock member operably engages at least one of the rack member and the pinion member and prevents movement of the pinion member from its retracted position to its extended position when the lock member is in its locked position, and wherein the lock member permits movement of the pinion member from its retracted position to its extended position when the lock member is in its released position; first and second elongated flexible members operably connected to the pinion member such that the pinion member pulls on the first and second elongated flexible members as the pinion member rotates in a first direction from its retracted position to its extended position, wherein the first elongated flexible member is operably connected to the first releasable latch, and wherein the second elongated flexible member is operably connected to the second releasable latch, whereby the pinion member pulls on the first and second elongated flexible members and releases the first and second releasable latches as the pinion member moves from its retracted position to its extended position, such that the seat back moves from its upright position to its folded position, and the seat base structure moves from its rearward position to its forward position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A seat assembly, comprising:
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a support structure; a seat base movably mounted to the support structure for movement between first and second positions relative to the support structure; a seat back movably connected to the seat base for movement between first and second positions relative to the seat base; a first latch selectively retaining the seat base in its first position relative to the support structure; a second latch selectively retaining the seat back in its first position relative to the seat base; a control mechanism configured to selectively release the first and second latches, the control mechanism comprising; a rotating member that is rotatable between first and second positions about an axis to define an angular displacement, and wherein the rotating member is biased towards the second position; first and second output members operably interconnecting the first and second latches, respectively, to the rotating member, whereby the first and second output members move at a non-linear rate as a function of the angular displacement of the rotating member and selectively release the first and second latches, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification