US4364536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for adjusting a vehicle seat
Assignee: Keiper Automobiltechnik GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1979-10-11
•
Granted: 1982-12-21
•
Expires: 1999-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A seat adjusting mechanism, arranged to be operated by an electric motor, for use with a motor vehicle seat is disclosed. The seat adjusting mechanism is supported by at least two slide tracks which extend along the length of the seat and which are placed through glide tracks each spaced away from the vehicle floor. The seat adjusting mechanism comprises at least one rack situated on one of said guide tracks and extends along the length of the guide track. The rack has one end connected by means of a connecting body to the slide track lying above it. The rack contains a long slot which has teeth formed on one side thereof for contacting a pinion which is situated to engage the teeth and is connected to an electric motor for movement of the seat adjusting mechanism. The width of the long slot in the rack serves to retain the pinion in engagement with the teeth of the slot.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernd Kluting
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/04; B60N2/06; B60N2/067; B60N2/0224; B60N2/02246; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18088; Y10T74/18096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A device for adjusting a vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat, supported by at least two slide tracks which extend along the length of the seat, and which are placed through guide tracks each spaced away from the vehicle floor by means of console elements, comprising: at least one rack situated beneath one of said guide tracks and extending along the length of said guide tracks; said rack being separate and distinct from said guide tracks and having one end connected by means of a connecting body with said slide track lying above it; said rack having a long slot having a first long edge comprised of teeth forming said rack at at least some portion along its length and having a second long edge opposite said first long edge spaced away from said teeth; a drive mechanism; and a pinion connected between said drive mechanism and said long slot, wherein said pinion engages said teeth of said rack and is kept in engagement therewith by the spacing of said first and second long edges of said long slot.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A device for adjusting a vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat, supported by at least two slide tracks which extend along the length of the seat, and which are placed through guide tracks each spaced away from the vehicle floor by means of console elements, comprising: at least one rack situated beneath one of said guide tracks and extending along the length of said guide tracks; said rack being separate and distinct from said guide tracks and having one end connected by means of a connecting body with said slide track lying above it; said rack having a long slot having a first long edge comprised of teeth forming said rack at at least some portion along its length and having a second long edge opposite said first long edge spaced away from said teeth; a drive mechanism; and a pinion connected between said drive mechanism and said long slot, wherein said pinion engages said teeth of said rack and is kept in engagement therewith by the spacing of said first and second long edges of said long slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1, wherein: said connecting body is "C"-shaped and encloses said guide track; and said rack is pivotally attached to said connecting body around an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said guide track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device of claim 2, further including a pin situated at a point where said rack is pivotally attached to said connecting body and extending through an opening in the part to which it is not secured to form a locking formfit, said pin having a head with a shape other than the circular cross-section of said pin, and said opening also having a shape other than said circular cross-section of said pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 2, further including: a guide body attached to the underside of said guide track; and a preferable flat drive housing attached to said guide box; wherein said rack is disposed between said drive housing and said guide track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said pinion is attached to a bearing shaft which is located in said drive housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 4, wherein guide body for said rack is box-shaped and surrounds said rack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 5, further including gear means and a drive shaft which link said pinion to said drive mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said gear means comprises a worm gear and a worm wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said worm wheel sits beneath said pinion on said bearing shaft which supports said pinion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said worm gear is directly connected with said drive shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said drive mechanism comprises an electric motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 11, wherein said drive shaft is a flexible shaft and extends from said drive housing to said electric motor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US765783A
Cited
US994627A
Cited
US2493493A
Cited
US2594882A
Cited
US2788905A
Cited
US2961032A
Cited
US2953190A
Cited
US3022975A
Cited
US3313512A
Cited
US3437303A
Cited
US3430516A
Cited
US3870269A
Cited
US3858934A
Cited
US4089500A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |