Reinforcement member for a seat mounting assembly

• US 6,405,987 B1
• Filed: 08/05/1999
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Incorporated (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Original Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Incorporated (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Inventors: Andrigo, Gregory James Alexander, Collins, Gregory David, Lagerweij, Richard Allen, Downey, Hugh D.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZUMNY, JONATHON A
• Application Number:
  US09/368,956
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 248/424, 248/429, 248/430, 297/216.19, 297/452.18
• US Class Current: 248/429
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0705 omega-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0732 Attachment of seat frame to the slide, e.g. eyelets
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0887 with synchronised movements

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat bottom and is attached to a vehicle support structure by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track along a first longitudinal axis. The seat bottom is supported on the second track for axial movement with the second track. This allows the seat assembly to be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly by a seat occupant. The seat back can also be moved relative to the second track between an upright position and a recliner position. The seat assembly receives a seat load resulting from the seat occupant sitting in the seat with the seat back in the reclined position and/or from a forward movement of the seat occupant during a deceleration of the vehicle when the seat occupant is belted into the seat. The mounting assembly includes at least one bracket supported on the second track for movement therewith and a reinforcement member that is fixed to the bracket and defines a second longitudinal axis, which is parallel to said first longitudinal axis. The reinforcement member distributes the seat load applied to the bracket along the length of the second track.

Claims

1. An assembly for mounting a seat within a vehicle comprising:

a first track defining a first longitudinal axis;

a second track supported for movement relative to said first track along said first longitudinal axis;

at least one bracket supported on said second track for movement therewith;

a reinforcement member fixed to said bracket and defining a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first longitudinal axis, said reinforcement member for distributing a seat load applied to said bracket along the length of said second track;

a seat frame member rigidly attached to said at least one bracket; and

wherein said seat frame member is rigidly attached to said reinforcement member.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said reinforcement member is fixed to said second track with a plurality of fasteners.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said reinforcement member is comprised of a channel having a pair of side walls interconnected by a base.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one bracket is comprised of a front track bracket rigidly connected to a first end of said second track and a rear pivot bracket rigidly connected to a second end of said second track.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one bracket includes a rear pivot bracket rigidly connected to said second track.

6. An assembly for mounting a seat within a vehicle comprising:

a first track defining a first longitudinal axis;

a second track supported for movement relative to said first track along said first longitudinal axis;

at least one bracket supported on said second track for movement therewith;

a reinforcement member fixed to said bracket and defining a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first longitudinal axis, said reinforcement member for distributing a seat load applied to said bracket along the length of said second track;

a seat frame member rigidly attached to said at least one bracket;

wherein said reinforcement member is comprised of a channel having a pair of side walls interconnected by a base; and

wherein said channel is U-shaped with said base extending along a top surface of said second track with said side walls being perpendicular to said base and extending upwardly away from said first and second tracks.

7. An assembly for mounting a seat within a vehicle comprising:

a first track defining a first longitudinal axis;

a second track supported for movement relative to said first track along said first longitudinal axis;

at least one bracket supported on said second track for movement therewith;

a reinforcement member fixed to said bracket and defining a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first longitudinal axis;

a seat frame member rigidly attached to said reinforcement member, said seat frame member and said reinforcement member for distributing a seat load applied to said bracket along the length of said second track;

wherein said reinforcement member is comprised of a channel having a pair of side walls interconnected by a base; and

wherein said channel is U-shaped with said base extending along a top surface of said second track with said side walls being perpendicular to said base and extending upwardly away from said first and second tracks to form a pocket defined by said side walls and said base for receiving said seat frame member.

8. An assembly for mounting a seat within a vehicle comprising:

a first track defining a first longitudinal axis;

a second track supported for movement relative to said first track along said first longitudinal axis;

at least one bracket supported on said second track for movement therewith;

a reinforcement member fixed to said bracket and defining a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first longitudinal axis;

a seat frame member rigidly attached to said reinforcement member, said seat frame member and said reinforcement member for distributing a seat load applied to said bracket along the length of said second track;

wherein said reinforcement member is comprised of a channel having a pair of side walls interconnected by a base; and

wherein said channel is U-shaped with said base being spaced apart from a top surface of said second track with said side walls being perpendicular to said base and extending downwardly toward said first and second tracks to form a pocket defined by said base, said side walls, and said top surface of said second track for receiving said seat frame member.

9. An assembly for mounting a seat within a vehicle comprising:

a first track defining a first longitudinal axis;

a second track supported for movement relative to said first track along said first longitudinal axis;

at least one bracket supported on said second track for movement therewith;

a reinforcement member fixed to said bracket and defining a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first longitudinal axis, said reinforcement member for distributing a seat load applied to said bracket along the length of said second track;

a seat frame member rigidly attached to said at least one bracket; and

wherein said reinforcement member extends along substantially the entire length of said second track.

10. The assembly for mounting a seat within a vehicle comprising:

a first track defining a first longitudinal axis;

a second track supported for movement relative to said first track along said first longitudinal axis;

at least one bracket supported on said second track for movement therewith;

a reinforcement member fixed to said bracket and defining a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first longitudinal axis, said reinforcement member for distributing a seat load applied to said bracket along the length of said second track;

wherein said reinforcement member is comprised of a channel having a pair of side walls interconnected by a base;

wherein said channel is U-shaped with said base extending along a top surface of said track with said side walls being perpendicular to said base and extending upwardly away from said first and second tracks; and

a seat frame member fastened to said bracket and received in pocket formed between said pair of side walls of said reinforcement member.

11. The assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said channel and said seat frame member are rigidly fixed to said second track for movement therewith.

12. The assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said bracket is attached to said channel with a plurality of fasteners.

13. The assembly for mounting a seat within a vehicle comprising:

a first track defining a first longitudinal axis;

a second track supported for movement relative to said first track along said first longitudinal axis;

at least one bracket supported on said second track for movement therewith;

a reinforcement member fixed to said bracket and defining a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first longitudinal axis, said reinforcement member for distributing a seat load applied to said bracket along the length of said second track;

wherein said at least one bracket is comprised of a front track bracket rigidly connected to a first end of said second track and a rear pivot bracket rigidly connected to a second end of said second track; and

wherein said reinforcement member extends along the length of the second track and has one end fixed to said front track bracket and an opposite end fixed to said rear pivot bracket.

14. The assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said reinforcement member is comprised of a channel having a pair of side walls interconnected by a base.

15. The assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said channel is U-shaped with said base being spaced apart from a top surface of said second track with said side walls being perpendicular to said base and extending downwardly toward said first and second tracks to form a pocket defined by said base, said leg, and said top surface of said second track.

16. The assembly as recited in claim 15 including a seat frame member that is partially received within said pocket and is attached to said front track bracket and said channel.