US 5,707,112 A · Linear recliner with memory seatback dump mechanism

Abstract

A seat recliner having a linear recliner mechanism and a dump mechanism is disclosed. The linear retractor device is provided for adjusting the reclined position of the seatback. The dump mechanism includes a bracket mounted to the seat bottom which has a pair of elongated guide slots formed in two sidewall portions thereof. A carriage is slidably mounted in the elongated guide slots of the bracket and is coupled to the linear retractor mechanism for permitting sliding movement thereof between a memory position and a free position relative to the bracket. A latch device is provided for releasably securing the linear retractor mechanism in the memory position. When secured in its memory position, linear recliner mechanism can be selectively actuated to adjust the reclined position of the seatback between upright and fully-reclined positions. When the latch device is actuated, the linear retractor mechanism can be slid toward its free position in response to movement of the seatback toward its dumped position. Return of seatback from its dumped position causes linear recliner mechanism to again be secured in its memory position so as to locate and retain the seatback in its previously reclined position.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A seat recliner for angularly moving a seatback relative to a seat bottom, said seat recliner comprising:

a linear recliner mechanism adapted to be interconnected between the seatback and the seat bottom, said linear recliner mechanism is normally operable in a locked mode to retain the seatback in a reclined position relative to the seat bottom anti which can be selectively shifted into a released mode to permit adjustment of the reclined position of the seatback/and
a dump mechanism adapted to slidably connect said linear recliner mechanism to the seat bottom for movement between a first position and a second position, said dump mechanism is operable in a latched mode to hold said linear recliner mechanism in said first position whereat said linear recliner mechanism can be selectively actuated to adjust the recliner position of the seatback, and said dump mechanism is operable in an unlatched mode for permitting movement of said linear recliner mechanism to said second position while said linear recliner mechanism is maintained in its locked mode which results in movement of the seatback from its reclined position to a forward dumped position.

A seat recliner for use in a seat assembly having a seatback supported for pivotal movement relative to a seat bottom, said seat recliner comprising:

a linear recliner mechanism operable for adjusting the reclined position of the seatback, said linear recliner mechanism including a housing, a recliner rod having a first end supported by said housing and a second end adapted to be coupled to the seatback, a recliner latch assembly normally operable in a locked mode for inhibiting movement of said recliner rod relative to said housing for holding the seatback in a desired reclined position, said recliner latch assembly further operable in a released mode for permitting movement of said recliner rod relative to said housing for adjusting the reclined position of the seatback, and a recline actuator for permitting said recliner latch assembly to be selectively shifted from its locked mode into its released mode;
and
a dump mechanism operable for moving the seatback between its reclined position and a forwardly dumped position, said dump mechanism including a bracket adapted to be secured to the seat bottom and on which said housing is supported for sliding movement of said linear recliner mechanism between a first position and a second position, a dump latch assembly normally operable in a latched mode for latching said linear recliner mechanism in said first position and in an unlatched mode for permitting movement of said linear recliner mechanism between said first and second positions in response to movement of the seatback between its reclined and dumped positions with said recliner latch assembly maintained in its locked mode, and a dump actuator for permitting said dump latch assembly to be selectively shifted from its latched mode into its unlatched mode.

A vehicle seat comprising:

a seat bottom;
a seatback supported for pivotal movement relative to said seat bottom;
a linear recliner mechanism operable for adjusting the reclined position of said seatback, said linear recliner mechanism including a housing, a recliner rod having a first end supported by said housing and a second end coupled to the seatback, a recliner latch assembly normally operable in a locked mode for inhibiting movement of said recliner rod relative to said housing for holding said seatback in a desired reclined position, and in a released mode for permitting movement of said recliner rod relative to said housing for adjusting the reclined position of said seatback, and a recline actuator for shifting said recliner latch assembly from said locked mode into said released mode;
and
a dump mechanism operable for moving said seatback between its reclined position and a forwardly dumped position, said dump mechanism including a bracket secured to said seat bottom with said housing supported on said bracket for moving said linear recliner mechanism between a first position and a second position, a dump latch assembly normally operable in a latched mode for latching said linear recliner mechanism in said first position, and in an unlatched mode for permitting movement of said linear recliner mechanism between said first and second positions in response to movement of the seatback between its reclined and dumped positions with said linear recliner mechanism maintained in its locked mode, and a dump actuator for shifting said dump latch assembly into said unlatched mode.

2 more elements

A seat assembly comprising:

a seat bottom;
a seatback supported for pivotal movement relative to said seat bottom;
a housing supported on said seat bottom for movement between a first position and a second position;
a recliner rod having a first end supported by said housing and a second end coupled to said seatback;
a recliner latch assembly normally operable in a locked mode for inhibiting movement of said recliner rod relative to said housing, said recliner latch assembly is further operable in a released mode for permitting movement of said recliner rod relative to said housing;
a recline actuator for permitting said recliner latch assembly to be selectively shifted from its locked mode into its released mode;
a dump latch assembly normally operable in a latched mode for latching said housing in said first position whereat said recline actuator can be actuated to shift said recliner latch assembly into its released mode to adjust the reclined position of said seatback, and said dump latch assembly is operable in an unlatched mode for permitting movement of said housing from said first to said second positions while said recliner latch assembly is maintained in its locked mode which results in movement of said seatback from its reclined position to a forward dumped position;
and
a dump actuator for permitting said dump latch assembly to be selectively shifted from its latched mode into its unlatched mode.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Linear recliner with memory seatback dump mechanism

Life of this patent

Linear recliner with memory seatback dump mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20