Lear Siegler, Inc.

Russell F Chekirda

Randall T Murphy

Walter Lyszczarz

A vehicle seat support assembly including an overcenter locking mechanism with a flexible metallic band wrapped about a floor mounted support tube and connected to a seat support frame pivotal on the tube such that tensioning of the band in an overcenter manner selectively prevents pivotal seat frame movement. A locking member of the mechanism is pivotally supported on the frame for rotation about a first axis and pivotally supports one end of a link about a movable second axis with another end of the link connected to one end of the band. In a locking position of the mechanism, the ends of the link are overcenter with respect to the first axis to provide the band tensioning and consequent prevention of seat frame pivoting. A curved intermediate portion of the link between its ends extends around a pin that supports the locking member on the frame. One preferred embodiment has its link provided with upper and lower link portions between which the other end of the band extends for connection to the seat frame, and a tensioner is provided for clamping a bight section of the band to provide proper band tension in the locking position. In another preferred embodiment, the link extends through an opening in the other band end and is connected to the seat frame by a tensioner having a pivotal lever. Both preferred embodiments have a manually actuated handle that moves the locking member and concomitantly moves a cooperable pawl on the seat frame into and out of engagement with the support tube. A mounting and thrust plate construction cooperates with the upper tube end in mounting the seat frame and limiting pivotal seat frame movement.

Support assembly for vehicle seat

Seat positioning mechanism of the type including an elongated thin-walled housing telescopically receiving a rod with friction lock washers operable to restrain the rod against movement with respect to the housing in any selected position. The invention includes a construction for increasing the locking efficiency of the lock washers and reducing the cross-section of the housing. A slot is formed in the wall of the housing, and one end of the slot is located on the housing wall at the outer boundary of the housing to define a fulcrum. The other end of the slot forms a stop on an inwardly depressed portion of the housing wall. The lock washers have lever arms that project into the slot. The fulcrum is curved to minimize the likelihood of sideways cocking of the lock washers. Also disclosed is a novel release mechanism including a shaft rotatably supported in a mounting bracket secured to the housing. A pusher member in the form of an eccentric cylindrical projection on the end of the shaft projects part way into the housing. When the shaft is rotated to an active position, the projection forces the lock washers against a return spring to the unlock position. when the shaft returns to an inactive position, the lock washers return to the lock position.

Telescopic seat positioning mechanism

A seat recliner of the disclosure includes an adjustment mechanism that adjustably controls the angular orientation of a seat back relative to an associated seat cushion and also includes a latch that releases the seat back for forward tilting movement to an easy-enter position. Seat back and cushion arms are pivotally interconnected along the tilting axis about which the seat back moves and are positioned relative to each other thereabout by the cooperable action of the adjustment mechanism and the latch. A positioning member of the adjustment mechanism is pivotally located relative to the seat cushion arm about the axis by a locking dog that is moved between locking and nonlocking positions by the cooperable action of a cam and a cam actuator. Dog movement to a nonlocking position releases the positioning member to permit adjustment thereof and a consequent change in the angular orientation of the seat back. The latch is mounted on the seat back arm and engages the positioning member in a latching position to prevent forward tilting seat back movement. In a nonlatching position, the latch disengages the positioning member to permit the seat back to pivot forwardly independently of the adjustment mechanism to the forward easy-enter position. The construction and arrangement of the arms, the locking dog, a latch member of the latch, the positioning member, a shaft that connects the arms, a cover plate that positions the locking member in an opening of the positioning member, and a counterbalance spring provide cooperation enhancing the recliner operation.

Growing community of inventors

Morristown, TN, United States of America

Russell F Chekirda