Coupling device, in particular for at least two pieces adjustable relative to each other

Coupling mechanism, in particular for at least two relatively adjustable parts, each of which is provided with at least one coupling element and the coupling elements are provided with coupling parts standing at least slightly proud of a bearing surface of the parts receiving them and can be brought into engagement with one another, characterised in that the coupling parts (91) are elastically flexible and reversible and are designed to be locatable with one another in certain regions in each of their relative positions in order to releasably fix the positioned parts (89, 90).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling elements (65, 72, 143) interlock with one another in a form-fitting arrangement when in a located, fixed locking position and the pressure force applied by the adjusting device (50;

• 51;
• 125) releasably fixes the parts (89, 90) in their relative position against the action of at least one elastic return element (74).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling elements (65, 72) can be located with one another in each of their relative positions.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling elements (65;

• 72) have a flat support body (92) which is provided with coupling parts (91) distributed across the surface.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a distance (99) between the mutually abutting parts (89;

• 90) in a located, fixed locking position of the coupling elements (65, 72) is at least slightly greater than a maximum height (96, 97) of the coupling parts (91).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the part or parts (89;

• 90) is or are made from plastic and the coupling elements (65;
• 72) are extruded on.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the part or parts (89;

• 90) and the coupling elements (65;
• 72), in particular the coupling parts (91), are made from a metal material and the coupling parts (91) have slightly elastically flexible, metal projections (95).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling parts (91), in particular the cores (93), are of an at least slightly elastically flexible design and have a cross section that is substantially frustoconical, pyramid-shaped, cylindrical, etc., or are designed in a filament-like arrangement.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling element (65;

• 72) is of an integral design and is made from a uniform material.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling element (65;

• 72) is made from materials having different properties, in particular strength and/or toughness properties.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one strip-shaped coupling element (65) is joined to the first part (89), in particular the support element (9), and at least another strip-shaped coupling element (72) is joined to the other part (90), in particular a base element (67), in a form-fitting and/or friction-locking arrangement.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first part (89), in particular the support element (9), has a slot (31) extending in the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft (2) and at least one, in particular several, strip-shaped coupling elements (65) are disposed on an internally lying bearing surface (54) in a region bounding the slot (31) in the longitudinal extension of the slot (31).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first part (89), in particular the mount (7), has at least one orifice (30) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft (2) and at least one, in particular several, strip-shaped coupling elements (65) extending parallel with the orifice (30) and parallel with each other are disposed on an outwardly lying bearing surface (53) of the mount (7) in a region bounding the orifice (30) in the longitudinal extension of the orifice (30), which is curved and in particular convexly slot-shaped facing a pivot axis (24).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one adjusting mechanism (50;

• 51) is disposed between the steering shaft (2) and a support element (9) and/or another is disposed between the mount (7) and an operating lever (52) and the adjusting device or devices (50;
• 51) and the operating lever (52) are retained concentrically and in alignment with one another by a clamping element (33).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adjusting mechanism (50, 51) consists of a strip-shaped base element (67), at least one strip-shaped guide element (73) and at least one elastic return element (74) disposed between the guide element (73) and the base element (67).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that in a disengaged, released open position, the pressurised guide elements (73) of the adjusting devices (50;

• 51) are guided by means of the return elements (74), substantially without any clearance, on the bearing surfaces (53;
• 54) of the mount (7) and/or the support element (9) directed towards the latter and the mutually locatable coupling elements (65;
• 72) are disposed at a distance apart from one another.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the located, fixed, locking position, the oppositely lying mutually facing coupling elements (65;

• 72) are engaged and the at least one, in particular several, coupling parts (91) incorporating radial, peripherally extending projections (95) are supported against one another.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one coupling part (91) of the one coupling element (72) locates in a bearing region (102) of the other coupling element (65) between spaced apart coupling parts (91) and at least part-regions of the surface (94) or projections (95) of the coupling parts (91) are pressed against one another with a pre-settable contact force.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one strip-shaped coupling element (65) of the coupling mechanism (88) is joined to the first part (89), in particular a guide part (118), and another strip-shaped coupling element (72) is joined to the other part (90), in particular a support part, of the adjusting device (125) in a form-fitting and/or friction locking arrangement.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling elements (65, 72) are disposed between a support element (114) and a back part (106) of a vehicle seat (104) or seat for releasably fixing a variably set inclination between the back part (106) and the seat part (105).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling elements (65, 72) are disposed between a body part of a vehicle forming the first part (89) and the other part (90) of a height adjusting mechanism of a strap-type restraining element, in particular a belt, for releasably fixing a variably set height or length thereof.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first part (89) and the other part (90) are disposed one inside the other and the fist inner part (89) is provided with at least one coupling element (139) on its outer periphery forming a bearing surface (137) and the other outer part (90) has at least one other coupling element (141) on its inner periphery forming a bearing surface (14) directed towards the outer periphery of the first part (89).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least part-regions of one of the tubular parts (89, 90), in particular the inner part (89), is designed so as to be elastically deformable in the radial direction relative to the bearing surface (129;

• 140) and is line-connected to an adjusting mechanism, in particular an actuator, via a connecting line in order to apply pressure to a cavity (142).

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adjusting devices (50;

• 51;
• 125) of fixing systems (4;
• 124), in particular the coupling mechanism (88), can be operated by electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic actuators.

Coupling mechanism as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuators are provided in the form of slide tracks, positioning elements, roller elements, etc., which are actively linked to the coupling elements (65;

• 72) during operation.

Use of the coupling elements as an energy-absorbing deformation system for a force and energy acting in the longitudinal direction and/or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft.