Pivot joint assembly for a vehicle seat

• US 8,172,326 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Adragna, Vincent, Abdella, David J., Fudala, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US12/075,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20090230752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 297/344.15, 297/344.16, 297/344.17, 297/361.1, 297/362.11, 297/362.12, 297/362.13, 297/362.14, 411/501
• US Class Current: 297/344.17
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/164 Linear actuator, e.g. screw mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means

Abstract

A pivot joint assembly includes a bar generally defining an outer cylindrical surface. The bar has first and second beads extending outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The first and second beads are spaced apart from one another along the length of the bar. At least one of the first and second beads is an integrally formed portion extended outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The assembly further includes a mounting member having opposed first and second sides. The mounting member has a hole formed therein. The bar is disposed in the hole such that the mounting member is disposed between the first and second beads such that bar rotates relative to the mounting member.

Claims

1. A pivot joint assembly comprising:

a mounting member having first and second sides and a hole that extends continuously through the mounting member from the first side to the second side thereof so as to define a continuous inner surface therethrough;

a bar including (1) an outer surface that is supported on the inner surface defined by the hole extending through the mounting member such that the bar is supported on the mounting member for relative rotational movement, (2) a first bead formed integrally from a first portion of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a first surface, and (3) a second bead formed integrally from a second portion of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a second surface;

a first bushing that is disposed between the first side of the mounting member and the first surface defined by the first bead of the bar;

a second bushing that is disposed between the second side of the mounting member and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar; and

a washer that is disposed between the bushing and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar, wherein

the first and second sides of the mounting member are respectively supported by the first surface defined by the first bead of the bar and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar such that lateral movement of the bar relative to the mounting member is prevented.

2. The pivot joint assembly defined in claim 1 further including a bushing that is disposed between the first side of the mounting member and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar.

3. The pivot joint assembly defined in claim 2 further including a washer that is disposed between the bushing and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar.

4. The pivot joint assembly defined in claim 1 further including (1) a first bushing that is disposed between the first side of the mounting member and the first surface defined by the first bead of the bar, (2) a second bushing that is disposed between the second side of the mounting member and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar, and (3) a third bushing that is disposed between the outer surface of the bar and the inner surface defined by the hole extending through the mounting member.

5. The pivot joint assembly defined in claim 4 further including a washer that is disposed between the bushing and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar.

6. The pivot joint assembly defined in claim 4 wherein the first, second, and third bushings are formed integrally from a single piece of material.

7. A seat frame comprising:

a first mounting member having first and second sides and a hole that extends continuously through the first mounting member from the first side to the second side thereof so as to define a continuous inner surface therethrough;

a second mounting member having first and second sides and a hole that extends continuously through the second mounting member from the first side to the second side thereof so as to define a continuous inner surface therethrough;

a bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the bar has (1) an outer surface that is supported on the inner surface defined by the hole extending through the first mounting member such that the first end of the bar is supported on the first mounting member for relative rotational movement, (2) a first bead formed integrally from a first portion of the first end of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a first surface, and (3) a second bead formed integrally from a second portion of the first end of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a second surface, wherein the first and second sides of the first mounting member are respectively supported by the first surface defined by the first bead of the first end of the bar and the second surface defined by the second bead of the first end of the bar such that lateral movement of the first end of the bar relative to the first mounting member is prevented, and wherein the second end of the bar has (1) an outer surface that is supported on the inner surface defined by the hole extending through the second mounting member such that the second end of the bar is supported on the second mounting member for relative rotational movement, (2) a first bead formed integrally from a first portion of the second end of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a first surface, and (3) a second bead formed integrally from a second portion of the second end of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a second surface; and

a first bushing that is disposed between the first side of the mounting member and the first surface defined by the first bead of the bar;

a second bushing that is disposed between the second side of the mounting member and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar; and

a washer that is disposed between the bushing and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar;

wherein the first and second sides of the second mounting member are respectively supported by the first surface defined by the first bead of the second end of the bar and the second surface defined by the second bead of the second end of the bar such that lateral movement of the second end of the bar relative to the first mounting member is prevented.

8. A pivot joint assembly comprising:

a mounting member having first and second sides and a hole that extends continuously through the mounting member from the first side to the second side thereof so as to define a continuous inner surface therethrough;

a bar including (1) an outer surface that is supported on the inner surface defined by the hole extending through the mounting member such that the bar is supported on the mounting member for relative rotational movement, (2) a first bead formed integrally from a first portion of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a first surface, and (3) a second bead formed integrally from a second portion of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a second surface;

a first bushing that is disposed between the first side of the mounting member and the first surface defined by the first bead of the bar;

a second bushing that is disposed between the second side of the mounting member and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar; and

a third bushing that is disposed between the outer surface of the bar and the inner surface defined by the hole extending through the mounting member;

wherein

the first and second sides of the mounting member are respectively supported by the first surface defined by the first bead of the bar and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar such that lateral movement of the bar relative to the mounting member is prevented.

9. The pivot joint assembly defined in claim 8 further including a washer that is disposed between the bushing and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar.

10. The pivot joint assembly defined in claim 8 wherein the first, second, and third bushings are formed integrally from a single piece of material.