Latch mechanism for horizontally oscillating seat

Abstract

A latch mechanism for a vehicle seat whose seat back and seat cushion components are fixedly mounted on a seat base that is suspended on a sub-base for oscillating forward and rearward movement with respect to the vehicle so as to isolate the seat occupant from longitudinal vehicle vibrations. The latch mechanism includes a keeper fixedly mounted on the sub-base and having forwardly and rearwardly facing latch surfaces. A latch member of the latch mechanism is pivotally mounted on the seat base and is movable between latching and nonlatching positions with respect to the keeper. The latch member has forwardly and rearwardly facing latch surfaces in the latching position that respectively engage the rearwardly and forwardly facing latch surfaces of the keeper to hold the seat against the oscillating movement in a rattle-free manner when a seat occupant desires a fixed seating position such as when vehicle controls must be manipulated during parking and backing operations. An overcenter spring selectively and alternately biases the latch member to either its latching or nonlatching positions and the engagement of the latch surfaces on the keeper and the latch member provides a stop that limits the latch member movement under the bias of the spring while in the latching position.