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:
Feb. 04, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 03, 2000
Larry Gray, Westfield, IN (US);
James Eaton, Carmel, IN (US);
Porter Engineered Systems, Westfield, IN (US);
Abstract
A fold-flat seat recliner mechanism for connecting the seat cushion to the seat back in a motor vehicle includes a lower plate assembly attachable to the seat cushion frame and an upper plate interconnecting the seat back and the lower plate assembly. The upper plate and lower plate assembly are interconnected by a parallelogram linkage that provides a range of reclining positions for the seat back relative to the seat cushion and allows the seat back to be folded flat relative to the seat cushion from any recline angle. During folding, the linkage retains its previous geometry so that the seat back, when unfolded, returns to its previously set recline angle. The mechanism is used in pairs, one on each side of the seat. On one side the recliner mechanism includes a mechanism for adjusting the seat back recline angle and a latch operable to inhibit or allow folding of the seat back.