Backrest recliner mechanism
AssigneeMilsco Manufacturing Company
InventorBruce B. Dahlbacka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A backrest recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat or the like includes a connector and a locking mechanism which both pivot about the same line. The backrest recliner mechanism also utilizes the energy of the backrest biasing spring to aid in the return of the locking mechanism from a disengaged to engaged position. The mechanism is actuated by a handle which minimizes the forces required to unlatch the locking mechanism. The backrest recliner mechanism is designed so as to incorporate a minimum number of parts and also to be easily and quickly assembled with minimal modification of the seat shell.
Claims26
A seat assembly comprising:
- a. a seat shell including
- i. a seat cushion portion, and
- ii. a backrest portion pivotally connected to said seat cushion portion;
- and
- b. a backrest recliner mechanism including
- i. a connector having a first end connected to said backrest portion and having a second end,
- ii. a backrest biasing spring which biases said backrest portion towards an extreme position, and
- iii. a locking mechanism which engages said connector between said first and second ends, and which is movable from
- (1) a first position preventing movement of said connector relative to said locking mechanism and thus preventing said backrest portion from reclining, to
- (2) a second position permitting movement of said connector relative to said locking mechanism and thus permitting said backrest portion to recline, said locking mechanism being biased towards said first position by said backrest biasing spring.
A seat assembly comprising:
- a. a seat shell including
- i. a seat cushion portion, and
- ii. a backrest portion pivotally connected to said seat cushion portion;
- and
- b. a backrest recliner mechanism including
- i. a connecting rod having a first end connected to said backrest portion and having a second end,
- ii. a backrest biasing spring which biases said backrest portion towards an upright position, and
- iii. a housing which slidably receives said connecting rod between said first and second ends, and which is movable from
- (1) a first position in which teeth formed in said housing engage mating teeth on said connecting rod to prevent movement of said connecting rod relative to said housing and thus to prevent said backrest portion from reclining to
- (2) a second position in which said teeth on said housing are disengaged from said teeth on said connecting rod to permit movement of said connecting rod relative to said housing and thus to permit said backrest portion to recline, said housing being biased towards said first position by said backrest biasing spring,
- iv. a handle which is rotatably mounted in said housing and which, when rotated, drives said housing to pivot from said first position to said second position, said handle including
- (1) a stop which is provided on said handle and which engages said housing upon a designated rotation of said handle from an initial position of rest, thus preventing further rotation of said handle relative to said housing and assuring that further rotation of said handle results in pivoting of said housing, and
- (2) a locking pawl which is provided on said handle, and
- v. a spring retainer which is slidably mounted on said connecting rod and which has first and second abutment surfaces which abut said backrest biasing spring and said housing, respectively.
A backrest recliner mechanism for controlling the reclining of a backrest portion of a seat shell with respect to a seat cushion portion of said seat shell, said backrest recliner mechanism comprising:
- a. a connector having a first end which is connectable to said backrest portion and having a second end;
- b. a backrest biasing spring which, in use, biases said backrest portion towards an upright position;
- and
- c. a locking mechanism which engages said connector between said first and second ends, and which, in use, is movable from
- i. a first position preventing movement of said connector relative to said locking mechanism, to
- ii. a second position permitting movement of said connector relative to said locking mechanism, said locking mechanism being biased towards said first position by said backrest biasing spring.
A backrest recliner mechanism for controlling the reclining of a backrest portion of a seat shell with respect to a seat cushion portion, said mechanism comprising:
- a. a connecting rod having a first end which is connectable to said backrest portion and having a second end;
- b. a backrest biasing spring which, in use, biases said backrest portion towards an upright position;
- c. a housing which includes a locking mechanism which engages said connecting rod between said first and second ends, and which is pivotable from (1) a first position preventing movement of said connecting rod relative to said housing, to (2) a second position permitting movement of said connecting rod relative to said housing;
- and
- d. a spring retainer which is slidably mounted on said connecting rod and which has first and second abutment surfaces which abut said backrest biasing spring and said locking mechanism, respectively, said housing and said second abutment surface of said spring retainer having complimentary surfaces which are biased into engagement with one another by said backrest biasing spring such that said second abutment surface of said spring retainer urges said housing towards said first position.
A method of reclining the backrest of a seat assembly with respect to a seat thereof, said backrest being pivotally mounted to said seat and being coupled to said seat by a backrest recliner mechanism including a connector having a first end connected to said backrest and having a second end, said backrest being biased towards an extreme position by a backrest biasing spring, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. disengaging a locking mechanism, which, when engaged, prevents movement of said connector relative to said seat and thus prevents said backrest from reclining;
- b. moving said locking mechanism against the biasing force of said backrest biasing spring from a first position to a second position permitting movement of said connector relative to said seat and thus permitting said backrest to recline;
- c. pivoting said backrest about said seat, thereby reclining said backrest;
- and
- d. releasing said locking mechanism and permitting said locking mechanism to move back into said first position under the biasing force of said backrest biasing spring.
A seat assembly comprising:
- a. a seat shell including
- i. a seat cushion portion, and
- ii. a backrest portion pivotally connected to said seat cushion portion;
- and
- b. a backrest recliner mechanism including
- i. a connecting rod having a first end connected to said backrest portion and having a second end,
- ii. a backrest biasing spring which biases said backrest portion towards an extreme position, and
- iii. a locking mechanism which engages said connecting rod between said first and second ends, and which is movable from
- (1) a first position preventing movement of said connecting rod relative to said locking mechanism and thus preventing said backrest portion from reclining, to
- (2) a second position permitting movement of said connecting rod relative to said locking mechanism and thus permitting said backrest portion to recline, wherein said locking mechanism is pivotable with respect to said connecting rod about a pivot line and said connecting rod is pivotable with respect to said seat cushion portion about said pivot line, said locking mechanism being biased towards said first position by said backrest biasing spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.