The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 17, 1994
Joseph Pickles, Troy, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
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.