US3801155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary seat back adjuster
Assignee: Exel Industries SA
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Filing: 1972-07-07
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-07-07
Abstract
Abstract The seat back adjuster includes a rotary multiple friction plate mechanism with relatively rotatable parts secured to a seat and tiltable seat back, respectively, which is normally locked by a spring urged ball-and-cam arrangement which exerts axial pressure on the friction plates. A cam and lever manual control releases the axial pressure to permit seat adjustment.
Inventors
- 👤 L Hodgen
- 👤 G Weimer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/22; B60N2/2227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
345 words
A rotary seat back adjuster for a tiltable seat back comprising a first member adapted to be secured to a seat frame and defining an axis, a first plurality of friction plates axially slidable along said first member but held against rotation thereon about said axis, a second member adapted to be secured to a seat back mounted for rotation about said axis, a second plurality of friction plates axially slidable on said second member but held against rotation thereon about said axis, the plates of said first and second pluralities of friction plates being mutually interleaved and defining a stack of plates, means at one end of said stack limiting said axial sliding movement of said plates in one direction, a ball cage mounted on one of said members for rotation about said axis, balls carried by said cage and bearing at one side on the outer end of said stack of plates and at the other side on cam means of said one member, resilient means urging said cage to rotate in a direction to cause said cam means to press said balls axially against said stack and thereby frictionally lock said members against relative rotation, a lever pivotally mounted on said one of said members and having an end portion operatively engaging said cage for rotating said cage in a direction opposing the action of said resilient means and thereby relieve said stack from pressure from said balls, a cam element pivotally connected to said lever, said cam element having a cam surface, said one of said members having a cam surface in camming engagement with the cam surface of said cam element, and manually operable means connected to said cam element for comming said element along a path defined by said two cam surfaces to rotate the lever and cause it to rotate said cage as described, a lobe on said cam element one of said members having a mating notch therein to receive said lobe and lock the cam element against movement excepting by means of said manually operable means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
345 words
A rotary seat back adjuster for a tiltable seat back comprising a first member adapted to be secured to a seat frame and defining an axis, a first plurality of friction plates axially slidable along said first member but held against rotation thereon about said axis, a second member adapted to be secured to a seat back mounted for rotation about said axis, a second plurality of friction plates axially slidable on said second member but held against rotation thereon about said axis, the plates of said first and second pluralities of friction plates being mutually interleaved and defining a stack of plates, means at one end of said stack limiting said axial sliding movement of said plates in one direction, a ball cage mounted on one of said members for rotation about said axis, balls carried by said cage and bearing at one side on the outer end of said stack of plates and at the other side on cam means of said one member, resilient means urging said cage to rotate in a direction to cause said cam means to press said balls axially against said stack and thereby frictionally lock said members against relative rotation, a lever pivotally mounted on said one of said members and having an end portion operatively engaging said cage for rotating said cage in a direction opposing the action of said resilient means and thereby relieve said stack from pressure from said balls, a cam element pivotally connected to said lever, said cam element having a cam surface, said one of said members having a cam surface in camming engagement with the cam surface of said cam element, and manually operable means connected to said cam element for comming said element along a path defined by said two cam surfaces to rotate the lever and cause it to rotate said cage as described, a lobe on said cam element one of said members having a mating notch therein to receive said lobe and lock the cam element against movement excepting by means of said manually operable means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
256 words
A rotary seat back adjuster for a tiltable seat back comprising a pair of members relatively rotatable about a common axis and adapted to be respectively secured to a seat and a tiltable seat back, releasable friction means between said members normally frictionally resisting relative rotation between said members, a lever pivotally mounted on one of said members and having an end portion operably engaging said friction means for releasing said friction means upon pivoting of the lever, a cam element, a pin pivotally connecting the cam element to said lever, said cam element having a cam surface, said one of said members having a cam surface in camming engagement with the cam surface of said cam element, manually operable means connected to said cam element for camming said element along a path defined by said two cam surfaces to rotate the lever and cause it to release said friction means, an arcuate radial flange on the other member and having an end edge engageable with said pin to positively lock said members against relative rotation in one direction when said friction means are in engagement, said flange having a peripheral edge for engaging said pin and holding said manually operable means in a position releasing said friction means while said members are relatively rotating through the arcuate extent of said flange, a lobe on said cam element, one of said members having a mating notch therein to receive said lobe and lock the cam element against movement excepting by means of said manually operable means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
256 words
A rotary seat back adjuster for a tiltable seat back comprising a pair of members relatively rotatable about a common axis and adapted to be respectively secured to a seat and a tiltable seat back, releasable friction means between said members normally frictionally resisting relative rotation between said members, a lever pivotally mounted on one of said members and having an end portion operably engaging said friction means for releasing said friction means upon pivoting of the lever, a cam element, a pin pivotally connecting the cam element to said lever, said cam element having a cam surface, said one of said members having a cam surface in camming engagement with the cam surface of said cam element, manually operable means connected to said cam element for camming said element along a path defined by said two cam surfaces to rotate the lever and cause it to release said friction means, an arcuate radial flange on the other member and having an end edge engageable with said pin to positively lock said members against relative rotation in one direction when said friction means are in engagement, said flange having a peripheral edge for engaging said pin and holding said manually operable means in a position releasing said friction means while said members are relatively rotating through the arcuate extent of said flange, a lobe on said cam element, one of said members having a mating notch therein to receive said lobe and lock the cam element against movement excepting by means of said manually operable means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A rotary seat back adjuster as defined in claim 2, further characterized in that said cam element has a curved surface for engagement with said one of said members when said members are relatively rotated through the arcuate extent of said flange.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |