Vehicle seat slides

Claim 2

A slide mechanism for a vehicle seat comprising upper and lower opposed channels in sliding relationship with one another and having limbs which interlock to resist separation of the channels and which include outwardly extending parts and together define an axially extending tunnel of non-circular section, and further comprising latching means for locking the upper channel against axial movement in relation to the lower channel, said latching means comprising a latching plate mounted within said tunnel on the upper channel and shaped to occupy a first situation in the tunnel, and said latching plate having peripheral parts and being rotatable in a vertical plane to a second situation where said peripheral parts extend through slots in both limbs of the upper channel to enter aligned slots in both limbs of the lower channel to lock the upper channel in selected positions.

Claim 3

A slide mechanism for a vehicle seat comprising upper and lower opposed channels in sliding relationship with one another, and having limbs which interlock to resist separation of the channels and which include outwardly extending parts and together define an axially extending tunnel of non-circular section, at least one of the limbs of said upper channel having a lateral opening, and further comprising latching means for locking the upper channel against axial movement in relation to the lower channel, said latching means comprising a latching member which has at least one peripheral part and is carried in said tunnel by said upper channel, and said latching member being shaped to occupy a first situation free from positive engagement with the lower channel and being rotatable in a substantially vertical plane to a second situation where said peripheral part extends first through said lateral opening in the limb of the upper channel and then enters a selected opening in a limb of the lower channel to lock the upper channel in selected positions.

Claim 4

A slide mechanism for a vehicle seat comprising upper and lower opposed channels in sliding relationship with one another, and having limbs which interlock to resist separation of the channels and which include outwardly extending parts and together define an axially extending tunnel of non-circular section, at least one of the limbs of said upper channel having a lateral opening, and further comprising latching means for locking the upper channel against axial movement in relation to the lower channel, said latching means comprising a latching member which has at least one peripheral part and is carried in said tunnel by said upper channel, and said latching member being shaped to occupy a first situation free from positive engagement with the lower channel and being rotatable in a substantially vertical plane to a second situation where said peripheral part extends first through said lateral opening in the limb of the upper channel and then enters a selected opening in a limb of the lower channel to lock the upper channel in selected positions.

Claim 5

A slide mechanism according to claim 1, in which said latching member comprises a shaped plate which is rotatable in a vertical plane from said first situation to said second situation where peripheral parts of the plate extend through slots in both limbs of the upper channel to enter aligned slots in both limbs of the lower channel.

Claim 6

A slide mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, in which the limbs of both channels have end lengths which are curved to extend towards the bases of their respective channels and so increase the interlocking effect.

Claim 7

A slide mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, and further comprising resilient elements which urge the limbs of the upper channel inwardly and upwardly and so minimise lateral or vertical play when the upper channel is not loaded.

Claim 8

A slide mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, and further comprising a rolling bearing element between said channels, and a resilient cage which urges the rolling element upwardly when the upper channel is not loaded downwardly.

Claim 9

A slide mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, and further comprising at least one slider element between the upper and lower channels, the slider element comprising upper and lower caps arranged telescopically and spring-urged apart to bear against said upper and lower channels.

Claim 10

A slide mechanism according to claim 7, in which said upper cap has shoulders which engage the limbs of said upper channel, and said lower cap is formed of low-friction material and is received by the upper cap.

Claim 11

A seat track assembly comprising a pair of slide mechanisms at least one of which is in accordance with claim 1 or 2.

Claim 12

A seat track assembly comprising a pair of slide mechanisms according to claim 1 or 2, and in which said latching members are interconnected.

Claim 13

A vehicle seat mounted on an assembly according to claim 9.