Pivot mechanism

A pivot mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the centres of curvature of the convex and concave tooth segments are located on a line that is substantially radial to both tooth segments, and said line intersects the concave tooth segment towards one end thereof.

A pivot mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, including a cam element that engages the locking member and is constructed and arranged to control movement thereof between said locked and unlocked positions, said cam element including a first cam surface for driving the locking member towards the locked position and a second cam surface for driving the locking member towards the unlocked position.

A pivot mechanism including a first element, a second element that is rotatably mounted on the first element via a pivot means, and a locking mechanism including a convex tooth segment provided on the second element, a locking member having a concave tooth segment, the locking member being mounted for movement between a locked position in which the convex and concave tooth segments are engaged preventing rotation of the second element and an unlocked position in which the tooth segments are disengaged, and a cam element that engages the locking member and is constructed and arranged to control movement thereof between said locked and unlocked positions;

• characterised in that the cam element includes a first cam surface for driving the locking member towards the locked position and a second cam surface for driving the locking member towards the unlocked position.

A pivot mechanism including a first element, a second element that is rotatably mounted on the first element via a pivot means, a locking member having a first locking formation that complements a second locking formation provided on the second element, the locking member being mounted for movement between a locked position in which the first and second locking formations are engaged, so preventing rotation of the second element, and an unlocked position in which the locking formations are disengaged, at least one guide member for guiding movement of the locking member and a control member for controlling movement of the locking member;

• characterised in that when the locking member is in the locked position, the control member exerts on the locking member a force having a first component that acts in the direction of movement of the locking member and a second component acts perpendicular to said direction of movement.

A pivot mechanism including a first element, a second element that is rotatably mounted on the first element via a pivot means, a locking member having a first locking formation that complements a second locking formation provided on the second element, the locking member being mounted for movement between a locked position in which the first and second locking formations are engaged, so preventing rotation of the second element, and an unlocked position in which the locking formations are disengaged, at least one guide member for guiding movement of the locking member and a control member for controlling movement of the locking member;

• characterised by a compensating element that urges the locking member against said at least one guide member to remove chuck from the mechanism.

A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat having a seat base and a reclining seat back, said recliner mechanism including a pivot mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims.

A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat having a seat base and a reclining seat back, said recliner mechanism including a pivot mechanism that includes a pivot arm rotatably mounted on a base member via a pivot pin, and a locking mechanism including a convex tooth segment provided on the pivot arm, and a locking member having a concave tooth segment, the locking member being mounted on the base member for movement between a locked position in which the convex and concave tooth segments are engaged preventing rotation of the pivot arm and an unlocked position in which the tooth segments are disengaged;

• characterised by a lock out mechanism for driving the locking member into engagement with the convex tooth segment in the event of a collision.