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:
Oct. 30, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 29, 1999
Dura Global Technologies, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back that is supported with respect to a seat bottom. The seat bottom is supported on a track assembly that includes a seat adjuster for controlling movement of the seat back and bottom. The seat adjuster can move the seat in horizontal and/or vertical directions and can also be used to adjust the tilt of the seat. An electric motor is used to drive the seat adjuster. The motor supports a first connector and the seat adjuster supports a second connector. A flexible shaft is used to interconnect the first and second connectors to transmit power from the motor to the adjuster. The shaft has a first end and a second end with each of the ends defined by a helical body portion. The first connector and the first end are mated to interconnect the motor and the shaft and the second connector and the second end are mated to interconnect the seat adjuster and the shaft. The helical body portion of the first and second ends is twisted with respect to the first and second connectors such that there is a slight interference fit between the ends and the connectors. The use of the helical body to create the interference fit allows for easy assembly of the shaft to the motor and seat adjuster and is quiet in operation.