U.S. patent application number 11/436461 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-30 for arm rest return.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schukra of North America. Invention is credited to Brenda Heraldo, Robert J. McMillen, Isa Rosli.
Application Number | 20060267382 11/436461 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37462426 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060267382 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McMillen; Robert J. ; et
al. |
November 30, 2006 |
Arm rest return
Abstract
A seat having a seat bottom; a seat back pivotally connected to
the seat bottom, the seat back having a frame; at least one bracket
mounted to the frame; at least one actuator housing mounted to the
at least one bracket, the at least one actuator having a slot; a
drive member rotationally mounted in the at least one actuator
housing; an arm rest operatively connected to the drive member; and
at least one Bowden cable extending through the slot and connected
to drive member such that the at least one Bowden cable rotates the
drive member and the arm rest when a tractive force is applied to
the Bowden cable.
Inventors: |
McMillen; Robert J.;
(Tecumseh, CA) ; Heraldo; Brenda; (Windsor,
CA) ; Rosli; Isa; (Windsor, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUSCH & EPPENBERGER, LLC
190 CARONDELET PLAZA
SUITE 600
ST. LOUIS
MO
63105-3441
US
|
Assignee: |
Schukra of North America
Tecumseh
CA
|
Family ID: |
37462426 |
Appl. No.: |
11/436461 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60682168 |
May 18, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/20 20130101; B60N
2/688 20130101; B60N 2/757 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/115 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/04 20060101
A47C017/04 |
Claims
1. An arm rest return for use in a seat having a seat frame, the
arm rest return comprising: a. a cross bracket mounted to the seat
frame; b. an actuator housing operatively connected to said cross
bracket, said actuator housing having a slot; c. a drive member
rotationally mounted in said at least one actuator housing; d. an
arm rest operatively connected to said drive member; and e. a
Bowden cable extending through said slot and connected to said
drive member such that said Bowden cable rotates said drive member
and said arm rest when a tractive force is applied to said Bowden
cable.
2. The arm rest return according to claim 1, wherein said drive
member further comprises a fastening portion and a driving
portion.
3. The arm rest return according to claim 1, wherein said driving
portion is a helical gear.
4. The arm rest return according to claim 1, wherein said fastening
portion is a shoulder bolt to connect said arm rest to said drive
member.
5. The arm rest return according to claim 1, wherein said drive
member further comprises a driven portion and said Bowden cable is
at least partially wrapped about said driven portion.
6. The arm rest return according to claim 1, wherein said cross
bracket includes a tab to receive said Bowden cable.
7. The arm rest return according to claim 1, wherein said actuator
housing further comprises a cam.
8. The arm rest return according to claim 1, wherein said cross
bracket includes at least one slot.
9. The arm rest return according to claim 8, further comprising at
least one slider clip in sliding engagement with said at least one
slot.
10. A seat comprising: a. a seat bottom; b. a seat back pivotally
connected to said seat bottom, said seat back having a frame; c. at
least one bracket mounted to said frame; d. at least one actuator
housing mounted to said at least one bracket, said at least one
actuator having a slot; e. a drive member rotationally mounted in
said at least one actuator housing; f. an arm rest operatively
connected to said drive member; and g. at least one Bowden cable
extending through said slot and connected to drive member such that
said at least one Bowden cable rotates said drive member and said
arm rest when a tractive force is applied to said Bowden cable.
11. The seat according to claim 10, wherein said drive member
further comprises a fastening portion and a driving portion.
12. The seat according to claim 10, wherein said driving portion is
a helical gear.
13. The seat according to claim 10, wherein said fastening portion
is a shoulder bolt to connect said arm rest to said drive
member.
14. The seat according to claim 10, wherein said drive member
further comprises a driven portion and said Bowden cable is at
least partially wrapped about said driven portion.
15. The seat according to claim 10, wherein said cross bracket
includes a tab to receive said Bowden cable.
16. The seat according to claim 10, wherein said actuator housing
further comprises a cam.
17. The seat according to claim 10, wherein said cross bracket
includes at least one slot.
18. The seat according to claim 17, further comprising at least one
slider clip in sliding engagement with said at least one slot.
19. A method of assembling a seat comprising the steps of: a.
providing a seat frame; b. connecting a cross bracket to said seat
frame; c. connecting at least one actuator housing to said cross
bracket; d. rotatably mounting a drive member in said at least one
actuator housing; e. connecting an arm rest to said drive member;
and f. connecting a Bowden cable to said drive member.
20. The method of assembling a seat according to claim 19, further
comprising the step of connecting an end of said Bowden cable to a
slider clip.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application 60/682,168, filed May 18, 2005, which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to seats and, more
particularly, to automotive seats having moveable arm rests.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] A popular feature in vehicles having cargo space such as
sport utility vehicles, station wagons, and the like is fold down
rear seats. Folding these seats down increases the cargo space. For
that purpose, it is advantageous that the seat backs for the fold
down rear seats be as thin as possible in their stowed
position.
[0006] Fold down seats often have arm rests. The arm rests are
pivotable such that a user may manually place the arm rests in a
stowed position prior to placing the seat back in the stowed
position. If the user fails to place the arm rests in the stowed
position, the arm rests may crash into the seat bottom, thereby
causing the seat to bind and prevent the seat from folding
over.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art for automatically
placing the arm rests from a deployed position to a stowed position
to prevent seat binding. Further, there is a continuing need in the
art to make fold down seats more convenient and user-friendly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention is an arm rest return feature for a fold down
seat. The invention allows the arm rests to retract automatically
from a deployed to a stowed position when a seat back of the fold
down seat is moved toward a stowed position.
[0009] Each arm rest is driven by a drive member. A tractive force
is applied to the drive member such that it rotates. As the drive
member rotates, it moves the arm rests from a deployed to a stowed
position.
[0010] In one embodiment, a Bowden cable is connected to a slider
clip of an ergonomic device, such as a side bolster. When the seat
back is folded down, a tractive force is applied to the slider
clip, which in turn applies a tractive force to the Bowden cable
such that it rotates the drive member. In this manner, the arm
rests move automatically in correspondence with the ergonomic
device.
[0011] Thus, in furtherance of the above goals and advantages, the
present invention is, briefly, an arm rest return for use in a seat
having a seat frame, the arm rest return having a cross bracket
mounted to the seat frame; an actuator housing operatively
connected to cross bracket, the actuator housing having a slot; a
drive member rotationally mounted in the at least one actuator
housing; an arm rest operatively connected to the drive member; and
a Bowden cable extending through the slot and connected to drive
member such that the Bowden cable rotates the drive member and the
arm rest when a tractive force is applied to the Bowden cable.
[0012] Further, the present invention is, briefly, a seat having a
seat bottom; a seat back pivotally connected to the seat bottom,
the seat back having a frame; at least one bracket mounted to the
frame; at least one actuator housing mounted to the at least one
bracket, the at least one actuator having a slot; a drive member
rotationally mounted in the at least one actuator housing; an arm
rest operatively connected to the drive member; and at least one
Bowden cable extending through the slot and connected to drive
member such that the at least one Bowden cable rotates the drive
member and the arm rest when a tractive force is applied to the
Bowden cable.
[0013] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seat back;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the seat back;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the seat back;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a seat back that illustrates the
mounting of a cross bracket;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cross bracket;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the side
bolster;
[0022] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the seat back with the arm
rests removed for clarity;
[0023] FIG. 8B is a side view of the seat back;
[0024] FIG. 8C is an interior side view of the arm rest;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a front view of the seat back of FIG. 8A;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the seat back of FIG. 8A;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a
drive member;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a front view of the first embodiment of the drive
member;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment
of the drive member;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of
the drive member;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a detailed bottom perspective view of an actuator
housing;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a detailed top perspective view of the actuator
housing;
[0033] FIG. 17 is a rear view of a seat back in an alternative
embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 18 is a side view of the seat back of FIG. 17; and
[0035] FIG. 19 is an interior side view of an arm rest.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a seat 100 having a seat back 110 and a
seat bottom 120. The seat bottom 120 is mounted on a seat riser
115, which is mounted in a vehicle. In the depicted embodiment, the
seat back 110 is pivotally mounted to the seat bottom 120 such that
the seat back 110 may be pivoted from a deployed position to a
stowed position. Optionally, the seat back 110 may include a
headrest 150 and a seat belt mounting bracket 160. The seat back
110 and the seat bottom 120 may each have a seat cushion 140.
[0038] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in greater detail the seat back
110. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2-19, some items (such as
the seat cushion 140) are omitted for clarity. The seat back 110
includes a frame 105. The seat back 110 further includes first and
second arm rests 12, 14, respectively, and at least one ergonomic
device, such as first and second side bolsters 16, 18. The arm
rests 12, 14 are pivotable from a deployed position D to a stowed
position S (shown in phantom in FIG. 2). In the depicted
embodiment, the side bolsters 16, 18 are also pivotable from a
first position to a second position. As explained in greater detail
below, the side bolsters 16, 18 collapse or "flatten out" as the
seat back 110 is moved towards a stowed position. In the depicted
embodiment, the arm rests 12, 14 are connected to the side bolsters
16, 18 such that the arm rests 12, 14 automatically move to the
stowed position S as the side bolsters 16, 18 move from a first
position to a second position. The seat back 110 also includes a
pair of side margins 112 between which extend a plurality of
transverse wires 114.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a side view of the seat back 110. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the arm rests 12, 14 are in the
stowed position S and the deployed position D is shown in phantom.
The arm rests 12, 14 may be moved from the stowed position S to the
deployed position D either automatically or manually. In the
depicted embodiment, a user must manually pull down on one of the
arm rests 12, 14 to put the arm rest in the deployed position D,
and the arm rests 12, 14 automatically move to the stowed position
S as the side bolsters 16, 18 move from a first position to a
second position.
[0040] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, a cross bracket 22 is
attached to the seat frame 105. In the depicted embodiment, the
cross bracket 22 is mounted to a back of the seat frame 105 and
extends across the entire width of the seat frame 105. In some
embodiments, there may be two cross brackets; one mounted to each
side of the seat frame 105. The cross bracket 22 may be mounted to
the frame 105 through fastening or by welding. The cross bracket 22
includes slots 24, a first tab 58, a second tab 60, a third tab 62,
and a fourth tab 64.
[0041] As used herein, the term "Bowden cable" refers to a wire
that slides through a sleeve to transmit motion from one end of the
cable to the other, sometimes called a traction cable. The sleeve
and wire are flexible such that the Bowden cable can transmit
forces over a distance along a curved path. The wire is strong
enough that it does not stretch appreciably when subjected to a
pulling force. The sleeve is relatively non-compressible such that
it does not appreciably shorten when subjected to a compression
force. The ends of the sleeve are typically anchored in a
stationary manner. One end of the wire is attached to an actuator
that pulls on the wire and slides the wire through the sleeve,
shortening the effective length of the wire at the opposite end.
The other end of the wire is attached to a device that is driven by
the movement of the wire. The actuator can be manual or motorized.
In addition, the actuator can be driven by the movement of another
component such as the folding of the seat back relative to the seat
base as disclosed herein.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 7, slider clips 130 are seated in the
slots 24. The side bolsters 16, 18 are connected to the slider
clips 130. Third and fourth Bowden cables 80, 82 are also connected
to the slider clips 130. In the depicted embodiment, a sleeve of
the fourth Bowden cable is mounted to the fourth tab 64. As a
tractive force is applied to the cables 80, 82, the slider clips
130 slide towards the center of the cross bracket 22 such that the
side bolsters 16, 18 are moved from a first position to a second
position. In other words, the side bolsters 16, 18 collapse or
"flatten out" as the seat back 110 is moved towards a stowed
position. As an example, the third and fourth Bowden cables 80, 82
may be attached to the seat riser 115 such that a tractive force is
applied through the cables 80, 82 when the seat back 110 is placed
in the stowed position. Another example of a mechanism for
generating tractive force on a Bowden cable wire which is driven by
the folding of a vehicle seat is shown in commonly owned U.S. Pat.
No. 6,905,170, which is herein incorporated by reference for all
purposes. Springs 84 automatically return the side bolsters 16, 18
from the second position to the first position when the tractive
force is released.
[0043] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8A, 9, and 10, the arm
rests 12, 14 and the seat frame 105 have been removed for clarity.
First and second actuator housings 26, 28 are mounted to the cross
bracket 22. Each actuator housing 26, 28 includes a drive member
30, 32. In the depicted embodiments, a first drive member 30 is
rotatably mounted in the first actuator housing 26, and a second
drive member 32 is rotatably mounted in the second actuator housing
28. Arm rests 12, 14 are connected to the drive members 30, 32.
Each drive member 30, 32 includes a fastening portion 52 and a
driving portion 56. The fastening portion 52 is used to fasten the
arm rests 12, 14 to the driving portion 56, and the driving portion
56 is used to transmit a force to the arm rests 12, 14. In the
depicted embodiment, the fastening portion 52 is a shoulder bolt or
screw. The driving portion 56 can be any number of various shapes.
What is significant is that the driving portion 56 of the drive
member 30, 32 engages the arm rest 12, 14 for rotation therewith.
In the depicted embodiment, the driving portion 56 is in the shape
of a helical gear.
[0044] As best seen in FIG. 8B, each arm rest 12, 14 is operatively
connected to the respective drive member 30, 32. As best seen in
FIG. 8C, each arm rest 12, 14 includes an aperture 13. The aperture
13 is shaped to mate and correspond with the driving portion 56 of
the drive member 30, 32. Accordingly, the aperture 13 may have a
gear shape, square shape, or some other shape that corresponds with
the driving portion 56. The aperture 13 slides over the driving
portion 56 and the fastening portion 52 is used to secure the arm
rest 12, 14 to the respective drive member 30, 32.
[0045] An advantage can be achieved by utilizing a helical gear for
the driving portion 56. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to
move the arm rests axially along the fastening portion 52 to allow
the arm rests 12, 14 to move away from the seat cushion 140 as the
arm rests 12, 14 are moved to the stowed position. A cam 90 may be
attached to the actuator housing or the arm rest to effect the
axial displacement. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the cam
90 is mounted on, or is integral with, the actuator housings 26,
28. As the arm rest 12, 14 rotate upwardly toward the stowed
position, the arm rests 12, 14 will engage the cam 90, thereby
causing the arm rests 12, 14 to slide along the fastening portion
52 and away from the seat cushion 140. In this manner, the arm
rests 12, 14 will move outwardly while traveling to the stowed
position S.
[0046] FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 illustrate one embodiment of the drive
member 30, 32. The dive member 30, 32 may be a single component or
assembled from multiple components. Additionally, the drive member
30, 32 may be made from metal or plastic. The drive member 30, 32
includes the fastening portion 52 and the driving portion 56. The
drive member 30, 32 also includes a driven portion 70. In the
depicted embodiments, the driven portion 70 is in the shape of a
pulley. A Bowden cable is operatively connected to the driven
portion 70 and is at least partially wrapped about the driven
portion 70. In the depicted embodiments, a first Bowden cable 38 is
connected to the first drive member 30, and a second Bowden cable
40 is connected to the second drive member 32. The driven portion
70 includes a groove 72 and a notch 74. The notch 74 is adapted to
receive a cable end of the Bowden cable 38, 40. In the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 12, the driven portion 70 includes a hex-shaped
opening 76, and the hex-shaped opening receives the hex-head of the
shoulder bolt 52.
[0047] FIG. 14 illustrates a second embodiment of the drive member
30, 32. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, the driving portion
56 is square-shaped. The square-shaped driving portion 56 is
adapted to mate with a corresponding feature, such as the aperture
13, on the arm rest 12, 14.
[0048] As best seen in FIG. 15, each actuator housing 26, 28 has a
slot 48. The Bowden cables 38, 40 are mounted to the exterior of
the actuator housing 26, 28 through the use of a clip 86. The first
Bowden cable 38 extends through the slot 48 to attach to the first
drive member 30, and the second Bowden cable 40 extends through the
slot 48 to attach to the second drive member 32.
[0049] FIGS. 7 and 16 illustrate the connection of the cable 40 to
the slider clip 130. A cable sleeve end of the cable 40 is mounted
in the tab 60. A cable wire end of the cable 40 is mounted to the
slider clip 130. As the slider clip 130 moves in the slot 24, the
slider clip 130 applies a tractive force to the Bowden cable 38, 40
such that the Bowden cable rotates the drive member 30, 32. Thus,
the drive members 30, 32 automatically rotate the arm rests 12, 14
to the stowed position when a tractive force is applied to the
slider clips 130. Alternatively, the Bowden cables 38, 40 may be
attached to the seat bottom 120 or the seat riser 115. As the seat
back 110 is folded over, a tractive force is applied to the Bowden
cables 38, 40, and the Bowden cables transmit the force to the
drive members 30, 32.
[0050] FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 illustrate an alternative embodiment of
the arm rest return of the present invention. FIG. 17 illustrates a
back view of a seat back 210. The seat back 210 includes a frame
220. A cross bracket 222 is mounted to the frame 220. Mounting ears
250 are mounted to the cross bracket 222. Arm rests 212, 214 are
pivotally mounted to the mounting ears 250.
[0051] As best seen in FIG. 18, the arm rests 212, 214 each include
a mounting hole 252, and the arm rests 212, 214 are connected to
the mounting ears 250 at the mounting hole 252.
[0052] As best seen in FIG. 19, a torsion spring 240 is mounted on
the mounting ears 250 and in between the frame 220 and the arm
rests 212, 214. The torsion springs 240 are used to move the arm
rests 212, 214 to the stowed position when the seat back 210 is
folded over. The torsion springs 240 are selected such that arm
rests 212, 214 achieve at least sixty percent of the displacement
from the deployed to the stowed position. In the depicted
embodiments, the torsion springs 240 are of sufficient strength
that the arm rests 212, 214 achieve at least eighty percent of the
distance from the deployed to the stowed positions. The torsion
spring 240 has two ends. One end of the torsion spring 240 engages
a hole 244 in the arm rests 212, 214, and the other end of the
torsion spring 240 engages a post 242 mounted to the cross member
222 or the frame 220. The torsion spring 240 is biased to
automatically raise the arm rests 212, 214 to the stowed
position.
[0053] Referring once again to FIG. 17, in some embodiments, the
seat back 210 includes a catch mechanism 230 mounted to the frame
220 or the cross bracket 222. The catch mechanism 230 is a simple,
spring-loaded pin that engages a pin hole 232 on the arm rests 212,
214. Bowden cables 238, 240 may be attached to the catch mechanisms
230 and to the seat riser or seat bottom. In this manner, the
Bowden cables 238, 240 will apply a tractive force to the catch
mechanisms 230 when the seat back 210 is folded over such that the
catch mechanisms 230 disengage from the pin holes 232. Once the
catch mechanisms 230 are released, the torsion springs 240 will
rotate the arm rests 212, 214 upwardly to or near the stowed
position. When the seat back 210 is in the deployed position, a
user may manually move the arm rests 212, 214 from the stowed
position to the deployed position. Once the arm rests 212, 214 are
moved into the deployed position, the catch mechanisms 230 will
again engage the pin holes 232 to lock the arm rests 212, 214 in
place.
[0054] In operation, a user decides to move a seat 100 from a
deployed to a stowed position. The user either manually or
automatically moves the seat back 210 towards the stowed position.
As the seat back 210 moves toward the stowed position, a tractive
force is applied to the third and fourth Bowden cables 80, 82. The
third and fourth Bowden cables 80, 82 act upon the slider clips 130
such that the slider clips 130 slide toward the center of the cross
bracket 22. As the slider clips 130 move, the slider clips 130
apply a tractive force to the first and second Bowden cables such
that the first and second Bowden cables 38, 40 rotate the first and
second drive members 30, 32. The rotation of the first and second
drive members 30, 32 move the arm rests 12, 14 from the deployed
position to the stowed position.
[0055] There is also provided a method of assembling a seat. The
method includes the steps of: providing a seat frame; connecting a
cross bracket to the seat frame; connecting at least one actuator
housing to the cross bracket; rotatably mounting a drive member in
the at least one actuator housing; connecting an arm rest to the
drive member; and connecting a Bowden cable to the drive member.
Optionally, the method may also include the step of connecting an
end of the Bowden cable to a slider clip.
[0056] As various modifications could be made to the exemplary
embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding
illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention,
it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing
description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth
and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of
the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined
only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
* * * * *