Self-aligning and self-locking fastener
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorJason E. Burd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seat assembly of a vehicle includes a seat base including a seat pan and an extender bracket, and an actuator operably connecting the extender bracket to the seat pan. The actuator configured to urge movement of the extender bracket relative to the seat pan. The actuator includes a rotating spindle extending from the extender bracket toward the seat pan, and a spindle nut threaded onto the rotating spindle. The spindle nut is configured for axial and rotational retention in a seat pan opening of the seat pan. Rotation of the spindle urges movement of the extender bracket relative to the seat pan.
Claims20
A seat assembly of a vehicle comprising:
- a seat base including:
- a seat pan;
- and
- an extender bracket;
- and
- an actuator operably connecting the extender bracket to the seat pan configured to urge movement of the extender bracket relative to the seat pan, the actuator including:
- a rotating spindle extending from the extender bracket toward the seat pan;
- and
- a spindle nut threaded onto the rotating spindle, the spindle nut configured for axial and rotational retention in a seat pan opening of the seat pan;
- wherein rotation of the spindle urges movement of the extender bracket relative to the seat pan.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle body;
- and
- a seat assembly disposed in the vehicle body, the seat assembly including:
- a seat base including:
- a seat pan;
- and
- an extender bracket;
- and
- an actuator operably connecting the extender bracket to the seat pan configured to urge movement of the extender bracket relative to the seat pan, the actuator including:
- a rotating spindle extending from the extender bracket toward the seat pan;
- and
- a spindle nut threaded onto the rotating spindle, the spindle nut configured for axial and rotational retention in a seat pan opening of the seat pan;
- wherein rotation of the spindle urges movement of the extender bracket relative to the seat pan.
A method of assembly of a seat base comprising:
- providing an actuator operably connected to an extender bracket configured for connection to a seat pan, the actuator including a rotatable spindle;
- threading a spindle nut onto the spindle;
- inserting the spindle nut into a seat pan opening of the seat pan;
- and
- operating the actuator to engage a lock tab of the spindle nut with a collet of the seat pan opening to rotationally lock the spindle nut relative to the seat pan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.