Mechanical positioner for reclining seat assembly
AssigneeEnidine, Inc.
InventorTerrance E. Daul
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanical linear actuator having a tubular member that is defined by a housing for rotatably and axially supporting a circular nut, a lead screw is mated to the circular nut so that it can move axially in and out of the tubular member. A torsion spring clutch brake is wound about the circular nut to normally brake the nut and thus prevent the lead screw from moving into or out of the tubular member. An unlocking mechanism can remotely unwind the torsion spring clutch brake to sufficiently release the circular nut and thus allow the lead screw to pass in and out of the tubular member. An adjustable stop is provided for adjusting the stroke of the actuator.
Claims19
A mechanical linear actuator that includes:
- a housing having an opening that extends axially through said housing
- an elongated lead screw that is slidably contained within said opening, said lead screw having a male threaded section upon the outer surface thereof;
- a cylindrical drive nut mounted for rotation within said housing, said cylindrical nut having a female thread that mates with said male thread on said lead screw so that said lead screw can move axially within said opening as said cylindrical nut rotates within said housing;
- a spring clutch brake for engaging an outer surface of said cylindrical drive nut when said clutch brake is in a first position to restrain said drive nut from rotating and for releasing said cylindrical nut when in a second release position wherein said drive nut can freely rotate within said housing;
- means for manually moving said clutch brake between said first and second positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.