Self-biasing recliner cross-talk tube coupler
AssigneeMagna Seating Inc.
InventorLouis Vetere, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coupler for coupling a cross-talk tube of a vehicle seat with a shaft of a dual recliner assembly. The coupler comprises a generally cylindrical body extending axially between an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard end includes an inboard aperture having an inboard planar surface. The outboard end includes an outboard aperture having an outboard planar surface. The inboard planar surface and the outboard planar surface transition from an axially offset position to an axially aligned position when the coupler is installed with the cross-talk tube and the shaft of the dual recliner assembly.
Claims15
A coupler for coupling a cross-talk tube of a vehicle seat with a shaft of a dual recliner assembly, the coupler comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body extending axially between an inboard end and an outboard end;
- the inboard end including an inboard aperture having an inboard planar surface;
- and
- the outboard end including an outboard aperture having an outboard planar surface;
- wherein the inboard planar surface and the outboard planar surface transition from an axially offset position to an axially aligned position when the coupler is installed with the cross-talk tube and the shaft of the dual recliner assembly.
A dual recliner assembly for a vehicle seat comprising:
- a first shaft;
- a second shaft;
- a cross-talk tube having a first tube end and an opposite second tube end, wherein the first tube end is fixedly coupled to the first shaft;
- and
- a coupler having a first coupler end and an opposite second coupler end, wherein the first coupler end is coupled to the second tube end, and wherein the first coupler end is twisted relative to the second coupler end, and wherein the first and second coupler ends are coupled to the second shaft.
A method of assembling a cross-talk tube having a first tube end and an opposite second tube end onto a dual recliner assembly for a vehicle seat using a coupler having a first coupler end and an opposite second coupler end, wherein the dual recliner assembly includes a first recliner shaft and a second recliner shaft, the method comprising the steps of:
- coupling the first coupler end with the second tube end;
- sliding the first tube end axially onto the first recliner shaft;
- sliding the second coupler end and the cross-talk tube axially onto the second recliner shaft;
- sliding the first coupler end and the cross-talk tube axially onto the second recliner shaft wherein the insertion of the second recliner shaft into the first coupler end causes the first coupler end and the cross-talk tube to twist relative to the second coupler end;
- and
- securing the first tube end onto the first recliner shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.