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US 6,296,311 B1Granted
Constant engagement infinite recliner
AssigneeFisher Dynamics Corporation
InventorsJeffery T. Bonk, Craig J. Coughlin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A constant engagement infinite recliner adapted for use with a hinge assembly such as in a vehicle seat is disclosed that is operable to prevent relative rotation between first and second hinge members when the locking assembly is in its neutral mode, to allow relative rotation of the hinge members in a first direction and prevent rotation in a second direction when the locking assembly is in a first adjusting mode, and to allow relative rotation in a second direction yet prevent rotation in the first direction when the locking assembly is operated in a second adjusting mode.
Claims30
A hinge assembly for use with a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom comprising:
- a first hinge member adapted to be connected to one of the seat back and the seat bottom, said first hinge member including a cylindrical bearing surface defining a cavity;
- a second hinge member adapted to be connected to the other of the seat back and seat bottom and to said first hinge member for rotation relative thereto;
- a reclining mechanism normally operable in a fixed mode for establishing the angular position of the second hinge member relative to the first hinge member and operable in a reclining mode for adjusting the angular position of the second hinge member relative to the first hinge member, said reclining mechanism including:
- a hub fixed for rotation with said second hinge member;
- a locking assembly operable in a neutral mode wherein said locking assembly prevents rotation of said hub relative to said first hinge member, operable in a first adjusting mode wherein said locking assembly allows rotation of said hub relative to said first hinge member in a first direction and prevents rotation of said hub relative to said first hinge member in a second direction opposite said first direction, and operable in a second adjusting mode wherein said locking assembly allows rotation of said hub relative to said first member in said second direction and prevents rotation of said hub relative to said first hinge member in said first direction,
- an actuator assembly coupled to said first hinge member for movement between a neutral position, a recline actuated position, and an upright actuated position,
- a drum rotatable relative to said first and second hinge members and operatively coupled to said actuator assembly and said locking assembly to move said locking assembly into said first adjusting mode when said actuator assembly is moved into said recline actuated position and into said second adjusting mode when said actuator assembly is moved into said upright actuated position, and
- a spring biasing said actuator assembly into said neutral position.
5 more elements
A vehicle seat comprising:
- a seat bottom;
- a seatback supported for pivotal movement relative to said seat bottom;
- a hinge assembly including a first hinge member fixed to one of said seat bottom or seatback, a second hinge member fixed to the other of said seat bottom or seatback and coupled to said first hinge member for rotation about a pivot in a first direction and a second direction, said first hinge member including a cylindrical bearing surface defining a cavity, said hinge assembly further including a reclining mechanism normally operable in a fixed mode for establishing the angular position of the seat back relative to the seat bottom and operable in a reclining mode for adjusting the angular position of the seat back relative to the seat bottom, said reclining mechanism including:
- a hub fixed for rotation with said second hinge member,
- a locking assembly operable in a neutral mode when said reclining mechanism is in said fixed mode and wherein said locking assembly prevents rotation of said hub relative to said first hinge member, said locking assembly being further operable in a first adjusting mode or a second disengaged mode when said reclining mechanism is in said reclining mode, said locking assembly allowing rotation of said hub relative to said first hinge member in a first direction and preventing rotation of said hub relative to said first hinge member in a second direction opposite said first direction when said locking assembly is in said first adjusting mode, said locking assembly allowing rotation of said hub relative to said first member in said second direction and preventing rotation of said hub relative to said first hinge member in said first direction when said locking assembly is in said second adjusting mode,
- an actuator assembly coupled to said first hinge member for movement between a neutral position, a recline actuated position, and an upright actuated position,
- a drum rotatable relative to said first and second hinge members and operatively coupled to said actuator assembly and said locking assembly to move said locking assembly into said first adjusting mode when said actuator assembly is moved into said recline actuated position and into said second adjusting mode when said actuator assembly is moved into said upright actuated position, and
- a spring biasing said actuator assembly into said neutral position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.