Seat lifting devices

• US 6,755,469 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Nishimura, Seiya, Akaike, Fumitoshi, Tatematsu, Kazuhisa, Inadome, Seiichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US10/461,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20030227204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 297/344.15, 297/216.15, 297/216.16, 297/216.17, 297/216.18, 297/216.19, 297/216.2
• US Class Current: 297/344.15
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1685 characterised by a lock
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1951 characterised by arrangements in vehicle or relative to seat belt
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1952 Transmission of tensioning power by cable; Return motion locking means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 secured to the seat

Abstract

Seat lifting devices disposed between a seat support for supporting a seat cushion and a seat mount for mounting the seat support are taught that comprise a linking mechanism movably interconnecting the seat support and the seat mount, so that the seat cushion is vertically adjusted when the linking mechanism is operated, and a seat support pulling means connected to the seat support and the seat mount. The seat support pulling means is adapted to be shortened when the seat support is subjected to an impact.

Claims

1. A seat lifting device comprising:

a linking mechanism arranged and constructed to movably interconnect a seat support for supporting a seat cushion and a seat mount for mounting the seat support, so that the seat cushion is vertically adjusted when the linking mechanism is operated;

a seat support pulling means arranged and constructed to be connected to the seat support and the seat mount, the seat support pulling means being adapted to be shortened when the seat support is subjected to an impact, and

an actuator for actuating the seat support pulling means, wherein the actuator is adapted to shorten the seat support pulling means when the seat support is subjected to the impact thereby forcing the seat support toward the seat mount, and wherein the actuator comprises a drive means of a seatbelt pretensioning device.

2. A seat lifting device an defined in claim 1 further comprising a movable member that is movably connected to the seat mount so as to pivot back and forth, wherein the seat support pulling means is connected to the seat mount via the movable member.

3. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 1, wherein the seat support pulling means comprises a flexible member.

4. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 1, wherein the seat support pulling means has a substantial length that corresponds to a maximum lifted position of the seat support.

5. A seat lifting device as defined in claim 1, wherein the drive means of the seatbelt pretensioning device comprises a cylinder and a piston that is connected to a seatbelt, and wherein the piston is connected to the seat support pulling means, thereby simultaneously pulling the seatbelt and the seat support pulling means when the seat support is subjected to the impact.

6. A seat lifting device, comprising:

a linking mechanism arranged and constructed to movably;

interconnect a seat support for supporting a seat cushion and a seat mount for mounting the seat support, so that the seat cushion is vertically adjusted when the linking mechanism is operated;

a seat support pulling means arranged and constructed to be connected to the seat support and the seat mount; and

an actuator for actuating the seat support pulling means, the actuator being arranged and constructed to move with the seat support when the linking mechanism is operated, the actuator being adapted to actuate the seat support pulling means when the seat support is subjected to the impact, thereby forcing the seat support toward the seat mount.

7. A vehicle seat, comprising:

a seat body comprising a seat cushion and a seat back;

a seat support for supporting the seat cushion;

a seat mount for mounting the seat support to a vehicle body;

a linking mechanism that is disposed between the seat support and the seat mount and is adapted to vertically adjust the seat support relative to the seat mount;

a seatbelt for restraining an occupant of the scat body to the seat body when a vehicle is subjected to an impact;

a seatbelt pretensioning device attached to the seal support, the seatbelt pretensioning device being adapted to pull a first wire connected to one end of the seatbelt when the vehicle is subjected to the impact; and

a connecting member having a first end that is incorporated into the seatbelt pretensioning device and a second end that is connected to the seat mount, the connecting member having a length required to move the seat support relative to the seat mount and being arranged and constructed to be pulled into the seatbelt pretenisioning device together with the first wire.

8. A vehicle seat as defined in claim 7, wherein the connecting member comprises a second wire, and a free arm having a first end that is pivotally connected to the seat mount and a second end that is connected to one end of the second wire.

9. A vehicle seat as defined in claim 8, wherein the seatbelt pretensioning device is attached to a side of the seat support that faces a vehicle entrance, and wherein the connecting member is connected to a side of the seat mount that faces a vehicle entrance and is positioned behind the seatbelt pretensioning device.

10. A vehicle seat, comprising:

a linking mechanism movably interconnecting a seat support and a seat mount;

a seatbelt for restraining an occupant when a vehicle is subjected to an impact, the seatbelt being connected to the seat support at a connecting position;

a seat support pulling means connected to the seat support and the seat mount, wherein the seat support pulling means has a substantial length so as not to interfere with upward and downward motion of the seat support relative to the seat mount when the linking mechanism is operated, wherein the seat support pulling means has a first end that is connected to the seat support and a second end that is connected to the seat mount, and wherein the first end is positioned adjacent to the seatbelt connecting position and the second end is positioned rearwardly relative to the first end; and

an actuator for actuating the scat support pulling means so as to shorten the seat support pulling means when the vehicle is subjected to the impact.