Keiper U.s.a., Inc.

Keiper Recaro, Inc.

Bernd A Klueting

Vikram H Zaveri

Daniel R Boyer

Allen H Weston

Wolfgang Osterhold

An adjustable seat back hinge mechanism actuated by planetary gearing with means to provide an input/output reduction ratio within a range in the order of 30:1 to 50:1 from manual hand knob actuation or in the order of 120:1 for electric motor drive.

Planetary seat back adjuster

A passenger car seat back inertia latch providing gravity actuated latch release and deceleration responsive inertia latch retention characterized by a compound resolution of predominant opposing gravity and deceleration forces to provide more sensitive and dependable latch retention at a predetermined minimum emergency vehicle deceleration as well as minimum weight to unlock the latch when the vehicle is stationary over a wider range of seat back adjustment and vehicle inclination than is possible with the conventional simple one-piece inertia latch wherein horizontal and vertical coordinates of the center of gravity relative to a latch pivot are solely depended upon to produce respective opposite gravity actuated release and inertia actuated locking moments on the latch element.

Composite inertia latch for vehicle seat back

Power recliner with inertia latch for automotive vehicle seat including lower seat taumel, upper taumel and upper back hinge brackets with spaced pivotal connections providing power taumel adjustment of seat back angle and inertia latch controlled forward dumping of seat back with manual override.

Power recliner with inertia latch

The invention concerns a hinged recliner for seats with adjustable seat backs, especially automobile seats, where a fixed hinge part attached to the seat, and a swingable hinge part attached to the seat back are connected via an axis of rotation, and where an adjustment and locking device, designed on a taumel gear principle, determines the position of both hinge parts to each other and the eccenter of the taumel gear system is connected to a power device through the mediation of a reduction gear by means of a flexible shaft.

Power recliner

An inertia latch return linkage for a seat back inertia latch system normally biasing the inertia latch to an engagement oriented position maintained by inertia effect upon sudden vehicle deceleration, such linkage being rendered inoperative to permit gravity disengagement of the inertia latch upon initial seat back tilting in a forward direction when the vehicle is stationary.

Seat back inertia latch system

An improved inertia latch system for a vehicle seat having a pivotally adjustable backrest and a separate more forwardly pivoted hinge member to accommodate forward tilting of the backrest for rear passenger entry and exit provides a limit for the seat angle at which release of the inertia latch can be effected in order to enhance safety, a manual override for releasing the inertia latch and a reduction in weight and cost of the inertia latch mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Radevormwald, Germany

Bernd A Klueting