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:
Aug. 24, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 25, 1998
Pascal Garrido, Gravehurst, CA;
Abstract
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. A mounting assembly mounts the seat to a vehicle structure and includes a first track, a second track supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement with the second track, and an actuator for selectively controlling the movement of the second track with respect to the first track. A locking assembly is moveable between a locked position where the locking assembly prevents relative movement between the first and second tracks and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track. The locking assembly includes a rod, a retainer, and a nut. The rod defines a longitudinal axis of rotation and is fixed to the second track for movement therewith. The retainer is fixed to the first track, and the nut is supported on the rod for rotation about the axis and has at least one pawl member. The nut is rotated at a variable rate of rotation by the rod as the second track moves, and has a rotational force that varies with the rate of rotation such that the pawl engages the retainer to move the locking assembly into the locked position when the rotational force exceeds a pre-determined rotational force limit.