Ferro Manufacturing Corporation

Other

Hoover Universal, Inc.

Casco Products Corporation

Itt Automotive, Inc.

Joseph Pickles

Chester S Fudala

Nelson R Weaver

A infinitely adjustable linear actuator adjusts the position of two relatively movable components of a vehicle seat. The linear actuator includes a rotatable element fixedly mounted about a threaded shaft. First and second moving members are mounted within a housing and are disposed on opposite sides of an annular collar formed on the rotatable element. The moving members are movable between a first position in which the moving members disengage the rotatable element from bearing surfaces at opposite ends of the housing to form a high rotational resistance connection which prevents rotation of the rotatable element and the interconnected threaded shaft, and a second position in which the moving members are spaced from the rotatable element to enable the rotatable element to move axially into low resistance engagement with bearings in the housing which enables free rotation of the rotatable element and the threaded shaft. Pairs of angularly extending ramp surfaces formed on each moving member slide within angled guide slots formed in the housing to guide the moving members between first and second positions with respect to the annular collar.

Infinitely adjustable linear actuator

A infinitely adjustable linear actuator adjusts the position of two relatively movable components of a vehicle seat. The linear actuator includes a rotatable element threadingly engaged about a threaded shaft. First and second moving members are mounted within a housing surrounding the rotatable element and are disposed on opposite sides of an annular collar formed on the rotatable element. The moving members are movable between a first position in which the moving members disengage the rotatable element from bearing surfaces at opposite ends of the housing to form a high rotational resistance which prevents rotation of the rotatable element and movement of the interconnected threaded shaft, and a second position in which the moving members are spaced from the rotatable element to enable the rotatable element to move axially into low resistance engagement with one of the bearing surface which enables rotation of the rotatable element and movement of the threaded shaft. Pairs of angularly extending tabs formed on each moving member slide within angled slots formed in the housing to guide the moving members between the first and second positions.

Infinitely adjustable linear actuator for vehicle seat

An axial drive mechanism consisting of a worm gear, a first planetary gear system having a carrier, helical planet gears in meshing engagement with the worm gear and mounted on the carrier, and a ring gear on the carrier. An electric motor can be used to drive the worm gear and a second planetary gear system can be arranged in a coaxial relation with the first system to achieve a desired gear reduction while retaining the axial arrangement of the drive. The second planetary gear system has planet spur gears arranged about and in meshing engagement with the first ring gear and a secondary ring gear encircling the planet spur gears. The second planetary gear system includes a carrier on which the planet spur gears are mounted and an output pinion gear formed integral with the last mentioned carrier. The stationary ring gear is conveniently formed as a part of the housing for the electric motor.

Axial drive mechanism

A motorized user applied actuator for automobile and like jacks having rotatable operating members for raising and lowering the jack platform, comprising a casing having a drive member detachably cooperable with the jack operating member, and having an electric motor and a unique, compact and lightweight, simple yet highly efficient step-down transmission connecting the motor with the drive member. The transmission comprises a plurality of staged planetary assemblages which effect a great reduction in speed and advantageous conversion of power. In several illustrated embodiments of the invention one or more handles are attached to the motor casing to provide a convenient hand grip. In another form of the invention the hand grip is supplemented by a fitting which separably interlocks with the jack structure to assume the torque on the motor casing. A power cord for the actuator has a plug adapted to be received in the cigar lighter socket of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment the drive member of the actuator has back-to-back elements alternately engageable with the jack operating member to effect a reversal of the jack movement without reversing the motor.

Portable powered screw jack actuator unit

Apparatus for automatically closing the deck lid of an automotive vehicle wherein the deck lid is manually moveable between open and closed positions and carries a latch operable to latch the lid closed and release the lid for opening movement. The apparatus of this invention is advantageous because it will not interfere with manual opening and closing of the lid. It includes a drive mechanism connected to the deck lid and operable when actuated from a remote location such as a switch inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, to move the deck lid downwardly to a nearly closed position. A moveable striker inside the trunk compartment is engageable with the latch in the nearly closed position of the deck and is operable to pull the deck lid downwardly to the closed position. In one embodiment of the invention the deck lid is also automatically opened by reversing the sequence of operation for closing in response to switch actuation to a remote location such as within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Automatic deck lid closer for automotive vehicles

A window regulator comprises a stiff but bendable elongated guide of general C-shape having inturned retainer flanges, and a flexible tape of a cross-section conforming to the interior of said guide, and slidably retained therein by the flanges. The bottom wall of the guide preferably has a channel therein contributing to its stiffness and providing spaces for fasteners for installing the guide or mounting structure thereon. The portion of the tape exposed between the edges of the flanges is formed with rack teeth for driven engagement with a drive pinion preferably mounted on the guide. A housing for the drive pinion has a connector for connecting to one end of the tape, and the end portion of the tape beyond the guide is thus formed into an expandable loop. In order to avoid subjecting the guide to large stresses due to tape tension, a relatively large gear carried by the guide engages the tape at a major bend of the guide. A spring is connected to the gear to act in window-raising direction. The major bend in the guide where the vertical window actuating portion connects the angularly disposed drive portion has hinged parts supporting the gear and providing for parallel positioning of the guide legs for insertion through a small opening in the door.

Window regulator having C-shaped guide and flexible tape with rack teeth

A regulator for the window glass of a motor vehicle comprising a guide bracket, means for moving the guide bracket generally vertically between raised and lowered position and a floating bracket pivotally connected to a guide bracket about a generally horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle and adjacent the lower edge portion of the glass to provide for changing orientation of the glass about the aforesaid axis as the glass is raised and lowered.

Window regulator

A 6-way seat adjuster for motor vehicles in which a three armature motor is mounted on a slidable seat frame and has connections to front and rear lift devices on the frame and a horizontal adjuster. The motor is mounted on a transmission housing in which is located an integral spacer and bearing unit formed of a rigid low friction polymer. Each armature shaft of the motor has an integral primary driving worm adjacent its outer end, and each primary worm is in mesh with a primary worm gear. The primary worm gears are fixed to drive shafts to each of which is fixed a secondary driving worm in mesh with a secondary worm gear fixedly connected to a pinion. Two of the pinions are in mesh with toothed sectors provided on pivoted lift levers connected respectively to the front and rear edges of a vehicle seat. The third secondary worm gear is fixed to a drive shaft having a pinion fixedly connected thereto which cooperates with a stationary rack for moving the frame horizontally.

6-Way split bench seat adjuster

An adjustable automotive vehicle seat has independent front and rear edge adjusting and supporting means to provide for vertical adjustment of the seat between raised and lowered positions, and for tilt adjustment of the seat between an untilted position and a forwardly tilted position while preventing rearward tilting of the seat. A first control member is operable to provide only downward movement of the front edge of the seat, while a second control member is operable to provide only upward movement of the rear edge of the seat. A third control member is operable to provide either upward or downward movement of both front and rear edges simultaneously. Preferably the adjusting and support means comprises separate motors and the control members are switch operators.

Seat adjusting mechanism

A vehicle seat including a recliner and inertia latch, in which the inertia latch is normally in latching position but upon initial limited forward movement of a seat portion it is permitted to move to release position. In the event of deceleration, the latch remains in latching position and prevents forward movement of the seat. The seat frame is of relatively light construction and means are provided which avoid interference with structure interposed on the axis of the pivot connection of the seat back to the seat, insuring simultaneous identical latch actuation at opposite sides of the seat.

Recliner and inertia latch

A three-position actuator comprising a casing having a diaphragm dividing the casing into separate pressure chambers, an actuating rod connected to said diaphragm and resilient means urging said diaphragm in one direction. One of the resilient means comprise a movable spring seat with a compression spring interposed between the seat and a plate connected to the diaphragm. The seat and plate are in turn interconnected by a single flat connector strap limiting separation between the plate and diaphragm to an amount approximately one-half the total travel of the diaphragm. In one embodiment of the invention the spring seat is connected to a separate diaphragm. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, only a single diaphragm is employed and the spring seat floats in the casing, with its separation from the diaphragm limited by the connector strap.

Three-position actuator

A window regulator for a tailgate window comprising a pair of rotary drums each of which has associated with it a tape of sufficient flexibility to conform to the periphery of the drum. The drums are mounted on a flanged support member, the flanges defining with the drums arcuate channels in which the tape is confined. The two drums are each provided with tooth portions in mesh with each other so that the two drums rotate in opposite directions, thus imparting longitudinal movement to the tapes. A drive pinion, preferably motor driven, is in mesh with the tooth portion of one of the drums.

Tailgate window regulator

A window regulator for moving a vehicle window vertically between closed and open positions, in which the window is housed within the vehicle door when in opened position. The mechanism comprises a drum and an elongated element having only sufficient flexibility to permit it to conform to the outer surface of the rotatable drum, an elongated functionally rigid track extending from the drum, the flexible element and track being cooperatively shaped such that the said element is slidable longitudinally on said track in guided relation. One end of the flexible element is fixed to the drum and the other has a bracket secured thereto which in turn is attached to the bottom edge of the vehicle window. Means are provided for rotating the drum in opposite directions to raise and lower the window. The invention is more broadly mechanism for converting motion between linear and rotary modes.

A manually operated seat adjuster for moving a vehicle seat upwardly and forwardly or rearwardly and downwardly and maintaining the seat in intermediate adjusted position. Seat movement is accomplished by front and rear lift levers interconnected by a link. A manually movable operating lever is pivoted to the lift link, has a mechanical connection to one of the operating levers and includes a pin selectively locking the lift lever in adjusted position by engagement with one of a series of openings in the lever.

Seat adjuster

A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat back in which a pivoted seat back support member is pivoted to a normally stationary seat support member, and the seat back support member is provided with an arcuate series of locking teeth concentric with its pivot axis. A pawl is slidably mounted between a raised trackway on the seat support member and a cover plate is provided having portions engaging the sides of the raised trackway. A locking cam moves a pawl into engagement with the toothed arcuate portion of the seat back support member and locks it against displacement in adjusted position. The support members are pivotal as a unit from upright to forward inclined position, and the seat support members at opposite sides of the assembly are connected by a rigid torque-transmitting bar.

Growing community of inventors

Birmingham, MI, United States of America

Joseph Pickles