Latch device for foldable backrest of automotive seat

Claim 2

In a foldable backrest of an automotive seat, a latch device which comprises: a striker secured to a fixed member; a base member secured to said backrest to move therewith; a latch member pivotally supported by said base member, said latch member being latchingly engageable with said striker when said backrest assumes a given raised position; biasing means for biasing said latch member in a direction to achieve a latched engagement between said latch member and said striker; a latch cancelling mechanism operably connected to said latch member for pivoting said latch member in a direction to release said striker when moved in a given direction; a one-way function mechanism interposed between said latch cancelling mechanism and said latch member, said one-way function mechanism permitting a latched engagement of said latch member with said striker without moving said latch cancelling mechanism in said given direction; and a stopper mechanism including a lever moved with said latch cancelling mechanism and a stopper rod which is projectable into a position to interrupt the movement of said lever; wherein said one-way function mechanism comprises: a pin secured to said lever to move therewith, said pin having said latch canceling mechanism connected thereto; and a projection formed on said latch member, said projection having a recess into which said pin is received.

Claim 3

A latch device as claimed in claim 1, in which said stopper rod is provided with a first knob which is exposed to the outside of said backrest through an opening formed in a back wall of said backrest.

Claim 4

A latch device as claimed in claim 2, in which said lever of said stopper mechanism is pivotally supported by a pivot shaft by which said latch member is pivotally supported.

Claim 5

A latch device as claimed in claim 3, in which said biasing means is a coil spring which is disposed about said pivot shaft.

Claim 6

In a foldable backrest of an automotive seat, a latch device which comprises: a striker secured to a fixed member other than said backrest; a base member secured to said backrest to move therewith; a latch member pivotally supported by said base member, said latch member being latchingly engageable with said striker when said backrest assumes a given raised position; biasing means for biasing said latch member in a direction to achieve a latched engagement between said latch member and said striker; a latch cancelling mechanism operably connected to said latch member for pivoting said latch member in a direction to release said striker when moved in a given direction; a one-way function mechanism interposed between said latch cancelling mechanism and said latch member, said one-way mechanism permitting a latch engagement of said latch member with said striker without moving said latch cancelling mechanism in said given direction; and a stopper mechanism including a lever moved with said latch cancelling mechanism and a stopper rod which is projectable into a position to interrupt the movement of said lever; wherein said stopper rod is provided with a first knob which is exposed to the outside of said backrest through an opening formed in a back wall of said backrest; said lever of said stopper mechanism is pivotally supported by a pivot shaft by which said latch member is pivotally supported; said biasing means is a coil spring which is disposed about said pivot shaft; and said one-way mechanism comprises a pin connected to said latch cancelling mechanism to move therewith and a projection formed on said latch member, said projection having a recess into which said pin is received.

Claim 7

In a foldable backrest of an automotive seat, a latch device which comprises: a striker secured to a fixed member other than said backrest; a base member secured to said backrest to move therewith; a latch member pivotally supported by said base member, said latch member being latchingly engageable with said striker when said backrest assumes a given raised position; biasing means for biasing said latch member in a direction to achieve a latched engagement between said latch member and said striker; a latch cancelling mechanism operably connected to said latch member for pivoting said latch member in a direction to release said striker when moved in a given direction; a one-way function mechanism interposed between said latch cancelling mechanism and said latch member, said one-way mechanism permitting a latch engagement of said latch member with said striker without moving said latch cancelling mechanism in said given direction; and a stopper mechanism including a lever moved with said latch cancelling mechanism and a stopper rod which is projectable into a position to interrupt the movement of said lever; wherein said stopper rod is provided with a first knob which is exposed to the outside of said backrest through an opening formed in a back wall of said backrest; said lever of said stopper mechanism is pivotally supported by a pivot shaft by which said latch member is pivotally supported; said biasing means is a coil spring which is disposed about said pivot shaft; and said one-way mechanism comprises a pin connected to said latch cancelling mechanism to move therewith and a projection formed on said latch member, said projection having a recess into which said pin is received.

Claim 8

A latch device as claimed in claim 5, in which said pin has said lever of said stopper mechanism connected thereto.

Claim 9

A latch device as claimed in claim 6, in which said latch cancelling mechanism comprises a link member carrying said pin and a second knob connected to a leading end of said link member and exposed to the outside of said backrest through an opening formed in said backrest.

Claim 10

A latch device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a shock absorber which is mounted to said base member to damp a shock which is produced when said striker is brough into engagement with said latch member.