US5290089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat bellows energy absorber
Assignee: Lear Corp
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Filing: 1992-12-28
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Granted: 1994-03-01
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Expires: 2012-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A recliner arrangement for a vehicle seat is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a seat cushion unit, a seat backrest unit pivotally connected to the seat cushion unit, a linear recliner for selectively adjusting the pivotal location of the backrest unit, and an energy absorber interposed between the linear recliner and the seat backrest unit, the energy absorber being operative upon a predetermined magnitude of force exerted thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Oleszko
- 👤 Kenneth A. Gassman
- 👤 Mladen Humer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/42; B60N2/4207; B60N2/4214; B60N2/4228; B60N2/02; B60N2/22; B60N2/23; B60N2/231; B60N2/427; B60N2/42727; B60N2/42745
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A recliner arrangement for a vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion unit; a seat backrest unit; means for pivotally connecting the backrest unit to the cushion unit for rotational motion between an upright and reclined position; linear recliner means for selectively adjusting the pivotal location of the backrest unit about the pivot means; and plastically deformable energy-absorbing means aligned with the linear recliner means and interposed between the linear recliner means and the seat backrest unit, the energy-absorbing means being operative upon a predetermined magnitude of force exerted thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A recliner arrangement for a vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion unit; a seat backrest unit; means for pivotally connecting the backrest unit to the cushion unit for rotational motion between an upright and reclined position; linear recliner means for selectively adjusting the pivotal location of the backrest unit about the pivot means; and plastically deformable energy-absorbing means aligned with the linear recliner means and interposed between the linear recliner means and the seat backrest unit, the energy-absorbing means being operative upon a predetermined magnitude of force exerted thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A recliner arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the energy-absorbing means is operative in tensile and compressive modes when the backrest experiences respective forward forces in excess of predetermined magnitudes and rearward forces in excess of predetermined magnitudes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The recliner arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said energy-absorbing means comprises a corrugated tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A recliner arrangement for a vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion unit; a seat backrest unit; means for pivotally connecting the backrest unit to the cushion unit for pivotal motion between an upright and reclined position; linear recliner means for selectively adjusting the pivotal location of the backrest unit about the pivot means; and plastically deformable energy-absorbing means aligned with the linear recliner means and interposed between the cushion unit and the linear recliner means, the energy-absorbing means being operative upon a predetermined magnitude of force exerted thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A recliner arrangement for a vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion unit; a seat backrest unit; means for pivotally connecting the backrest unit to the cushion unit for pivotal motion between an upright and reclined position; linear recliner means for selectively adjusting the pivotal location of the backrest unit about the pivot means; and plastically deformable energy-absorbing means aligned with the linear recliner means and interposed between the cushion unit and the linear recliner means, the energy-absorbing means being operative upon a predetermined magnitude of force exerted thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A recliner arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein the energy-absorbing means is operative in tensile and compressive modes when the backrest experiences respective forward forces in excess of predetermined magnitudes and rearward forces in excess of predetermined magnitudes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The recliner arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein the energy-absorbing means comprises a corrugated tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
156 words
A recliner arrangement for a vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion unit; a seat backrest unit; means for pivotally connecting the backrest unit to the cushion unit such that the backrest can be selectively pivotally moved between an upright position and a rearward reclined position; extensible and compressible linear-actuated recliner means for selectively adjusting the rearward pivotal location of the backrest unit about the pivot means, the recliner means having a forward end secured to the seat cushion unit and the recliner means having releasable locking means for both initiating and limiting operation of the recliner means, and plastically deformable energy-absorbing means aligned with the recliner means and cooperatively interposed between the recliner means and the backrest unit, the energy-absorbing means being operative in tensile and compressive modes when the backrest experiences respective forward dynamic loading forces that are in excess of predetermined magnitudes and rearward dynamic loading forces that are in excess of predetermined magnitudes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
156 words
A recliner arrangement for a vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion unit; a seat backrest unit; means for pivotally connecting the backrest unit to the cushion unit such that the backrest can be selectively pivotally moved between an upright position and a rearward reclined position; extensible and compressible linear-actuated recliner means for selectively adjusting the rearward pivotal location of the backrest unit about the pivot means, the recliner means having a forward end secured to the seat cushion unit and the recliner means having releasable locking means for both initiating and limiting operation of the recliner means, and plastically deformable energy-absorbing means aligned with the recliner means and cooperatively interposed between the recliner means and the backrest unit, the energy-absorbing means being operative in tensile and compressive modes when the backrest experiences respective forward dynamic loading forces that are in excess of predetermined magnitudes and rearward dynamic loading forces that are in excess of predetermined magnitudes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-28 | 1997-08-30 | 1998-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-28 | 2001-08-30 | 2002-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-08-30 | 2006-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |