# US 7,611,204 B2 · Rotary adjustment mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,204 B2 - Document ID: US7611204B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/479,291 - Filed: 2006-06-30 - Published: 2008-01-03 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-06-30 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: Robert J. Reed; Lyle E. York - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611204B2 ## CPC - B60N 2/1892: {characterised by a lock} - B60N 2/06: slidable (B60N2/12 {, B60N2/2209} take precedence) - B60N 2/1839: {pivoting about an axis located in an intermediate position} - B60N 2/1896: {Stepwise movement mechanisms, e.g. ratchets (B60N2/1882 takes precedence)} - B60N 2/2218: {Transversally moving locks} - B60N 2/50: Seat suspension devices - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A rotary adjustment mechanism is provided. The rotary adjustment mechanism has a first member, a second member, a first gear, a second gear, a locking gear, a spring, and a release. The first gear is rotationally attached to the first member. The second member is pivotally attached to the first member. The second gear is rotationally attached to the second member. The locking gear is moveable from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear. The spring biases the locking gear towards the first position. The release is coupled to the locking gear and selectively moves the locking gear to the second position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotary adjustment mechanism comprising: a first member; a second member pivotally attached to the first member; a rod secured to the first member; a first gear positioned along the rod and rotationally attached to the first member; a second gear positioned along the rod and rotationally attached to the second member; a locking gear moveable along the rod from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear and rotationally locking the second member to the first member, to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear and allowing relative rotation between the second member and the first member; a first spring biasing the locking gear towards the first position; and a release having a slider, the slider slidably disposed along the rod and coupled to the locking gear, and selectively moving the locking gear with the slider to the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the release is pivotally attached about a second axis, and wherein the rod is substantially parallel to the second axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first member is a seat base or one of a seat back and a seat pan and the second member is the other of the seat base or one of the seat back and the seat pan. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and the second gear each have a hollow splined portion, wherein the locking gear is a spur gear, and wherein the locking gear is at least partially positioned within the hollow splined portion of the first and the second gears when the locking gear is in the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a second spring biasing the slider out of engagement with the locking gear. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 5, wherein the first spring and the second spring are wave springs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rotary adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the release has a spiral ramp positioned along the rod and the slider rotates and translates along the ramp into engagement with the locking gear when the release is engaged. ### Claim 8 A seat comprising: a base; a seat back pivotally attached to the base; a rod secured to the base; a first gear positioned along the rod and rotationally attached to the base; a second gear positioned along the rod and rotationally attached to the seat back; a locking gear moveable along the rod from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear and rotationally locking the seat back to the base, to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear and allowing relative rotation between the seat back and the base; a first spring biasing the locking gear towards the first position; and a release having a slider, the slider slidably disposed along the rod and coupled to the locking gear, and selectively moving the locking gear with the slider to the second position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The seat of claim 8, wherein the release is pivotally attached about a second axis, and wherein the first-axis rod is substantially parallel to the second axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The seat of claim 9, wherein the seat back is pivotally attached to the base about a third axis, and wherein the third axis is substantially parallel to the rod and second axes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The seat of claim 8, wherein the first and the second gear each have a hollow splined portion, wherein the locking gear is a spur gear, and wherein the locking gear is at least partially positioned within the hollow splined portion of the first and the second gears when the locking gear is in the first position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The seat of claim 8, wherein the release has a spiral ramp positioned along the rod and the slider rotates and translates along the ramp into engagement with the locking gear when the release is engaged. ### Claim 13 A method of providing a rotary adjustment mechanism comprising the steps of: providing a first member; securing a rod to the first member; rotationally attaching a first gear to the first member along the rod; pivotally attaching a second member to the first member; rotationally attaching a second gear to the second member along the rod; providing a locking gear moveable along the rod from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear and rotationally locking the second member to the first member, to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear and allowing relative rotation between the second member and the first member; biasing the locking gear towards the first position; and coupling a release having a slider slidably disposed along the rod and coupled to the locking gear that selectively moves the locking gear to the second position with the slider. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first and the second gear each have a hollow splined portion and wherein the locking gear is a spur gear, and further comprising the steps of: positioning at least a portion of the locking gear within the hollow splined portion of the first and the second gears when the locking gear is in the first position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the release has a spiral ramp positioned along the rod and the slider rotates and translates along the ramp into engagement with the locking gear when the release is engaged.