US4225178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle seat
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-04-16
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Granted: 1980-09-30
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Expires: 1999-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle seat has a rigid seat support plate which is spring-mounted for vertical movement on the frame and becomes locked in the event of a collision by a pendulum actuated ratchet and pawl mechanism to prevent a "plunging" or "submarining" effect.
Inventors
- 👤 Juichiro Takada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/42; B60N2/43; B60N2/4207; B60N2/4214; B60N2/4221; B60N2/427; B60N2/42772; B60N2/42781
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A vehicle seat comprising a frame adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body; a substantially rigid seat support plate mounted on the frame for generally vertical movement of at least a portion thereof relative to the frame, the support plate having a supporting surface generally coextensive with the seat-supported part of a person seated on the vehicle seat; at least one spring means for resiliently supporting the support plate and a person seated thereon; a cooperating ratchet and pawl device associated with the seat frame and the support plate and selectively engageable to lock the support plate against downward movement relative to the frame; and pendulum means associated with the ratchet and pawl device and inertially responsive to an abrupt change in the velocity of the vehicle for engaging the ratchet and pawl.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A vehicle seat comprising a frame adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body; a substantially rigid seat support plate mounted on the frame for generally vertical movement of at least a portion thereof relative to the frame, the support plate having a supporting surface generally coextensive with the seat-supported part of a person seated on the vehicle seat; at least one spring means for resiliently supporting the support plate and a person seated thereon; a cooperating ratchet and pawl device associated with the seat frame and the support plate and selectively engageable to lock the support plate against downward movement relative to the frame; and pendulum means associated with the ratchet and pawl device and inertially responsive to an abrupt change in the velocity of the vehicle for engaging the ratchet and pawl.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A seat according to claim 1 wherein the seat is hinged along one edge to pivot about an axis oriented transversely of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A seat according to claim 1 or claim 2 and further comprising a cushion of a resilient foam material on the seat support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A seat according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the ratchet and pawl mechanism includes a pawl affixed to the frame and a ratchet member pivotably attached to the seat support in a position such that it normally is clear of the pawl but can swing forward to engage the pawl, and the pendulum means is a weight affixed to a lower portion of the ratchet member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A seat according to claim 4 wherein the pendulum means further includes a spring resiliently urging the ratchet member in a direction away from the pawl.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A seat according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the ratchet is affixed to the frame and the pawl is mounted on the seat support for movement into engagement with the ratchet by the pendulum means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A seat according to claim 6 wherein the pawl is affixed to a linkage on the seat support, and the pendulum means includes a weight carried by a universal support and having a camming portion engaging the linkage upon movement in any direction for engaging the pawl with the ratchet in response to a rapid change in the velocity of the vehicle in any direction.
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) | 1983-09-30 | 1984-03-31 | 1984-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-30 | 1988-03-31 | 1988-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-30 | 1992-03-31 | 1992-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |