US 7,017,993 B2 · Seat device

Abstract

A seat device is provided, in which a locking condition of an upper rail (2) to a lower rail (1) is released and a seat can be moved in forward direction when a seatback is turned down in forward direction due to a walk in operation. A turning bracket (18) is pivotally supported on the side portion of a lower arm (3) fixed to the upper rail (2). An actuating lever (20) for actuating a lock mechanism is fixed to a turning pin (17) for supporting a turning bracket (18). A cable (15) is connected to the turning bracket (18), a hook member (22) is pivotally supported on the side portion of the lower arm (3), and a detecting member (29) is supported thereby in a turning way. A projecting portion (25) of a hook member (22) can be engaged with or disengaged from a notch portion (31) of a turning bracket (18).

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims19

Dependent claims

A seat device, comprising a seatback, in combination with a lower rail and an upper rail, the seat device having a lock/unlock mechanism for releasing a locking condition between the lower rail and the upper rail by turning down the seatback in a forward direction and allowing said upper rail to slide on said lower rail, the seat device comprising:

a turning bracket of said lock/unlock mechanism rotatably supported on a lower arm fixed to said upper rail to rotate about an axis, said turning bracket being always fixed against sliding movement relative to the upper rail;
an actuating lever rotatable about said axis to rotate upon rotation of the turning bracket;
a lock segment inserted into opening portions of both rails to effect the locking condition, the lock segment being movable to a position releasing the locking condition in accordance with movement of said actuating lever, wherein said seatback turning down in said forward direction causes to turn said turning bracket and said actuating lever in one direction and release a locking condition of said both rails;
and
a hook member pivotally supported by said lower arm and having a projecting portion capable of engaging with or disengaging from a notch portion of said turning bracket,
wherein said lower rail and upper rail are maintained to be released when said projecting portion is engaged with said notch portion.

3 more elements

A seat device, comprising a seatback, in combination with a lower rail and an upper rail, the seat device having a lock/unlock mechanism for releasing a locking condition between the lower rail and the upper rail by turning down the seatback to allow the upper rail to slide relative to the lower rail, the seat device comprising:

a lower arm fixed relative to the upper rail;
an upper arm supporting the seatback, the upper arm being rotatably connected to the lower arm to rotate in forward and backward directions about an axis passing through the lower arm;
a turning bracket of the lock/unlock mechanism rotatably supported on the lower arm;
an actuating lever turning together with the turning bracket;
a lock segment insertable into an opening portion of the upper rail and an opening portion of the lower rail to effect the locking condition between the upper and, lower rails, the lock segment being operable based on turning movement of the actuating lever to release the locking condition, wherein turning down movement of the seatback in the forward direction causes the turning bracket and the actuating lever to turn together to operate the lock segment and release the locking condition;
a cable connected to the turning bracket;
and
a turning member fixed to the upper arm to rotate together with the upper arm, a first link member rotatably mounted on the lower arm and engageable by the turning member during turning down movement of the seatback in the forward direction to rotate the first link member, and a second link member rotatably mounted on the lower arm and engageable by the first link member during rotation of the first link member, the cable being connected to the second link member.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,622 words

Summary1,128 words

#This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 with respect to Japanese Application No. 2001-391878 filed on Dec. 25, 2001, and the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

#This invention generally relates to a vehicle seat device equipping a walk in mechanism.

#Conventionally, a vehicle is equipped with a walk in mechanism for moving a front seat in forward direction in order to make the passenger easily entry on or off the rear seat of the vehicle by releasing a locking mechanism of a seat slide device, when the seatback (a back seat of the front seat) turns in forward direction.

Brief description of the drawings10 figures

#The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawing figures wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a locking mechanism of both rails as an example of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side view of a regular case of a seat;

Detailed description2,247 words

#The embodiment of the present invention is explained hereinafter with reference to drawings.

#First, one example of the present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

#An upper rail 2 is installed in a sliding way in forward and backward directions of a lower rail 1 adapted to be fixed on a vehicle floor. A lower arm 3 is fixed to the upper rail 2. An upper arm attached on the side of a seatback is assembled with the lower arm 3 attached on the side of a seat cushion in a reclining way in forward and backward directions by a pin 5. A turning member 6, which turns together with the upper arm 4, is fixed to the upper arm 4. The turning member 6 is made of a plate having a nearly rectangular shape, and a free end portion 7 projects from a circumferential surface 8 of the upper arm 4.

Facts

Application

10/326,411Filed 23 Dec 2002

Priority

JP 2001-39187825 Dec 2001

Published

US 2003/0122412 A13 Jul 2003

Granted

28 Mar 2006

Term ended

23 Dec 2022

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification7 codes

B60N 2/20
The seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable: the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access
B60N 2/0705
Characterised by its cross-section: omega-shaped
B60N 2/0715
Characterised by its cross-section: c or U-shaped
B60N 2/0825
Location of the latch: outside the rail

Timeline

25 Dec 2001Priority claimedJP 2001-391878
23 Dec 2002Application filedUS 10/326,411
14 Mar 2003Assigned to Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Gifu Shatai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaishaassignment of assignor's interest
3 Jul 2003PublishedUS 2003/0122412 A1
28 Mar 2006GrantedUS 7,017,993 B2
26 Oct 2015Assigned to Toyota Body Seiko Co., Ltd.assignment of assignor's interest
23 Dec 2022Term endedEstimated

Seat device

Life of this patent

Seat device

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims19

Description3,622 words

Drawings

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,622 words