US3778103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle seat
Assignee: NAT SEATING CO
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Filing: 1971-06-30
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle seat having pivotally mounted seat and back cushions, with the position of the back cushion being adjustable by a recline actuator in the seat arm, such actuator having a cam operated trip release mechanism associated therewith which is operative both automatically to return the back cushion to an upright position by releasing the actuator when the seat cushion is pivoted upwardly and to hold the seat back in its upright position when the seat is subsequently pivoted downwardly.
Inventors
- 👤 R Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A vehicle seat comprising a spring loaded pivotally mounted seat back, a pivotally mounted seat cushion movable between a lowered use position and a raised positioN, an arm rest, a seat back recline mechanism in said arm rest operative to lock said seat back in a selected recline position, an actuator for said recline mechanism having two positions, the first position releasing the seat back to permit pivotal movement and the second position locking the seat back against movement, and control means operative responsively to upward pivoting of the seat cushion from its lowered use position to move said actuator to said first position to release said seat back recline mechanism automatically to bring the seat back to an upright position, and means operative at that position to release said actuator from said control means whereby said actuator independently moves to the second position to lock the seat back in such upright position, whereby subsequent movement of said seat cushion from its raised position to its lowered use position will not unlock said seat back.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A vehicle seat comprising a spring loaded pivotally mounted seat back, a pivotally mounted seat cushion movable between a lowered use position and a raised positioN, an arm rest, a seat back recline mechanism in said arm rest operative to lock said seat back in a selected recline position, an actuator for said recline mechanism having two positions, the first position releasing the seat back to permit pivotal movement and the second position locking the seat back against movement, and control means operative responsively to upward pivoting of the seat cushion from its lowered use position to move said actuator to said first position to release said seat back recline mechanism automatically to bring the seat back to an upright position, and means operative at that position to release said actuator from said control means whereby said actuator independently moves to the second position to lock the seat back in such upright position, whereby subsequent movement of said seat cushion from its raised position to its lowered use position will not unlock said seat back.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pivotally mounted seat cushion is spring loaded automatically to return to its upright position when unoccupied, thereby to actuate said control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 2, wherein said control means further includes a cam mounted on said cushion for pivotal movement therewith, and follower means for said cam connected to said actuator operative only upon pivoting of the seat cushion upwardly to shift the actuator to the second position by movement of the cam with respect to said follower means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 3, wherein said follower is connected to said actuator by a trip release mechanism, such mechanism including a flexible link extending through a strut supporting said arm rest and a pivotally mounted lock cam in said arm rest to which the upper end of the link is connected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 4, wherein said lock cam and actuator are operatively locked together for concurrent pivotal movement except when said seat back and said seat cushion are in upright positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 5, wherein said lock cam and actuator are locked together by said actuator release means consisting of a lost motion device having a slide trip link with a pin extending through an elongated slot in said lock cam and an L-shape slot in said actuator, said L-shape slot having a substantially horizontal short leg portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 6, wherein said slide trip link is normally spring biased to maintain said pin in a position against the back of said elongated slot and in the short leg of the L-shape slot, thereby to lock said lock cam and actuator together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said recline mechanism is adapted to move said slide trip link against the spring bias to unseat the pin from the short leg portion of the L-shape slot when the seat back and cushion are in an upright position, thereby to unlock said actuator from the lock cam and to allow the former to return to its first locking position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 5, further including an operating rod connected to and extending forwardly from said actuator for operation of the same and a biasing means for urging said lock cam rearwardly within said arm rest, said biasing means acting normally to maintain said actuator in its first position when said actuator is locked to said lock cam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vehicle seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuator is adapted for movement independent of said control means to release said seat back irrespective of seat cushion position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |