Apparatus and method of anti-ratcheting vehicle seat adjuster slide

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilization thereof of an anti-ratchet vehicle seat adjuster slide. A preferred embodiment provides an adjuster slide having an upper channel connected with the seat slidably mounted on a lower channel connected with the vehicle. The adjuster slide also has a latch pivotally connected with the upper channel having a range of pivotal movement independent of a lift bar which is also pivotally connected with the upper channel. To allow adjustment of the seat the lift bar is controlled by the operator and pulled upwards causing the latch to pivot upwards also and release from the lower channel. The latch also is provided with a tab having a curvilinear surface of engagement with the notches of the lower channel. The curvilinear surface of the latch tab allows the latch to have a generally constant cam angle of engagement with the notch of the lower channel regardless of the angular orientation of the latch when the tab is in engagement with one of the notches. The above action causes the tab is seek insertion into the latch and not to be pushed out of the latch due to the poor cam angle presentation.