U.S. patent number RE37,026 [Application Number 09/452,771] was granted by the patent office on 2001-01-23 for pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fisher Dynamics Corporation. Invention is credited to John F. Whalen.
United States Patent |
RE37,026 |
Whalen |
January 23, 2001 |
Pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat
Abstract
A pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat assembly
accommodates loads applied to the seatback through a safety belt
restraint system carried by the seat assembly. The pivot assembly
includes a connector member including an upper portion extending
into a hollow channel defined by the seatback frame. The connector
member is fixedly attached thereto. The pivot assembly further
includes a housing attached to a lower seat structure for movement
therewith between fore and aft positions. The connector member is
pivotally mounted to the housing to thereby permit the seatback to
rotate relative to the lower seat structure between a generally
upright position and a reclined position. The pivot assembly
further preferably includes a drive arrangement for rotating the
connector member about a pivot axis. The pivot assembly functions
to efficiently and effectively transfer loads from the seatback to
the lower seat structure, and in turn, to the vehicle structure.
Advantageously, the safety belt restraint system is adapted to move
with the seat assembly.
Inventors: |
Whalen; John F. (Macomb,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Fisher Dynamics Corporation
(St. Clair Shores, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
24260960 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/452,771 |
Filed: |
December 1, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
565987 |
Dec 1, 1995 |
05711577 |
Jan 27, 1998 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/361.1;
297/362.11; 297/362.14; 297/440.21; 297/452.18; 297/452.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N
2/688 (20130101); B60N 2/233 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60N
2/23 (20060101); B60N 002/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/361.1,362.11,362.14,440.21,452.18,452.22 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4303032 |
|
Oct 1992 |
|
JP |
|
4303034 |
|
Oct 1992 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
PL. Porter drawing for Power Recliner, Part No. DPR1250-00, Oct.
26, 1993, revised as of Dec. 21, 1993. .
P.L. Porter drawing for Upper Body, Part No. DPR1255-00, Nov. 11,
1993, revised as of Dec. 21, 1993. .
P.L. Porter drawing for exploded Upper Body, Part No. DPR1294-00,
Jan. 4, 1994, revised as of Feb. 16, 1994..
|
Primary Examiner: Cuomo; Peter M.
Assistant Examiner: White; Rodney B.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce
P.L.C.
Claims
I claim:
1. A structured vehicle seat, comprising:
a lower seat structure;
a seatback frame defining an upwardly extending channel;
a safety belt restraint system mounted to and carried by the
structured vehicle seat; and
a pivot assembly interconnecting said seatback frame to said lower
seat structure, said pivot assembly including a rotatable connector
member .Iadd.unitarily constructed of aluminum and .Iaddend.having
a seatback mounting portion fixedly interconnected to the seatback
frame and a seat mounting portion pivotally interconnected to the
lower seat structure, said seatback mounting portion of said pivot
assembly extending within said upwardly extending channel;
said seatback mounting portion of said rotatable connector member
includes a pair of spaced apertures which align with a pair of
correspondingly spaced apertures in said seatback frame for
receiving a pair of fasteners to interconnect said seatback
mounting portion and said seatback frame; and
whereby said pivot assembly is operative for interconnecting said
seatback frame to said lower seat structure such that the seatback
frame is selectively adjustable to a plurality of angular
positions.
2. The structured vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein said seat
mounting portion includes an aperture rotatably receiving a pivot
pin interconnected to said lower seat structure.
3. The structured vehicle seat of claim 2, wherein said aperture of
said seat mounting portion is spaced from a line passing through
said pair of spaced apertures in said seatback mounting portion of
said rotable connector member.
4. The structured vehicle seat of claim 1, further comprising a
pivot housing fixedly attached to said lower seat structure and a
tie bar member, said tie bar member interconnected at a first point
to said rotatable connector member and interconnected to said pivot
housing at a second point, said second point being spaced apart
from said first point.
5. The structured vehicle seat of claim 1, further comprising a
drive mechanism for rotating said rotatable connector member about
said pivot axis and thereby pivoting said seatback frame relative
to said lower seat structure to adjust the angular position of said
seatback frame relative to said lower seat structure.
6. The structured vehicle seat of claim 5, wherein said drive
mechanism is pivotally coupled to said rotatable connector
member.
7. The structured vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein said drive
mechanism includes a lead screw rotationally mounted to said lower
seat frame and longitudinally extending relative to the seat
assembly, said lead screw including a plurality of external threads
and a distal end coupled to said connector member, whereby rotation
of said lead screw in a first direction upwardly pivots said
seatback frame and rotation in a second direction downwardly pivots
said seatback frame.
8. A structured vehicle seat assembly comprising:
a lower seat structure;
a seatback frame having an inboard side and an outboard side, said
seatback frame including an upwardly extending channel adjacent one
of said inboard side and said outboard side;
a safety belt restraint system mounted to and carried by the seat
assembly;
a pivot assembly for interconnecting said seatback frame to said
lower seat structure, said pivot assembly including a rotatable
connector member .Iadd.unitarily constructed of aluminum and
.Iaddend.having an upper portion extending into said upwardly
extending channel and fixedly attached to said seatback frame and a
lower portion having an aperture receiving a pivot pin
non-rotatably interconnected to said lower seat structure; and
a drive mechanism for rotatably driving said rotatable connector
member about said pivot pin, said drive mechanism includes a lead
screw rotationally mounted to said lower seat frame and
longitudinally extending relative to the seat assembly, said lead
screw including a plurality of external threads and a distal end
coupled to said rotatable connector member;
whereby said pivot assembly is operative for interconnecting said
seatback frame to said lower seat structure such that said seatback
frame is selectively adjustable to a plurality of angular
positions.
9. The structured vehicle seat of claim 8, wherein said rotatable
connector member includes an internally threaded aperture in
meshing engagement with said plurality of external threads of said
lead screw.
10. The structured vehicle seat of claim 8, wherein said rotatable
member includes a drive aperture receiving a pivot pin, said pivot
pin including an internally threaded aperture in meshing engagement
with said plurality of external threads of said lead screw.
11. The structured vehicle seat of claim 8, further comprising a
pivot housing fixedly attached to said lower seat structure and a
tie bar member, said tie bar member interconnected at a first point
to said rotatable connector member and interconnected to said pivot
housing at a second point, said second point being spaced apart
from said first point.
12. The structured vehicle seat of claim 8, wherein said upper
portion of said rotatable connector member includes a pair of
spaced apertures which align with a pair of correspondingly spaced
apertures in said seatback frame for receiving a pair of fasteners
to interconnect said upper portion and said seatback frame.
13. The structured vehicle seat of claim 12, wherein said aperture
of said lower portion is spaced from a line passing through said
pair of spaced apertures in said upper portion of said rotatable
connector member.
14. The structured vehicle seat of claim 13, wherein said drive
aperture and said aperture of said lower portion are on opposing
sides of the line passing through said pair of spaced apertures in
said upper portion.
15. A structured vehicle seat assembly comprising:
a lower seat structure including a seatpan frame and a slide
assembly for selectively translating said seatpan frame in a fore
direction and an aft direction;
a seatback frame including an inboard side and an outboard side,
said seatback frame at least partially defining a first upwardly
extending channel adjacent said inboard side and a second upwardly
extending channel adjacent said outboard side;
a safety belt restraint system mounted to and carried by said seat
assembly;
a pivot arrangement interconnecting said seatback frame and said
lower seat structure for selective adjustment between a plurality
of angular positions relative to said lower seat structure, said
pivot arrangement including an inboard pivot assembly and an
outboard pivot assembly, each of said inboard and outboard pivot
assemblies having a housing interconnected with said slide assembly
and a connector member .Iadd.unitarily constructed of aluminum and
.Iaddend.pivotally mounted to said housing for rotation about a
pivot pin, said connector member of said inboard pivot assembly at
least partially extending into said first upwardly extending
channel and said connector member of said outboard pivot assembly
at least partially extending into said second upwardly extending
channel; and
a drive mechanism for rotating at least one of said connector
members about its respective pivot axis and thereby pivot said
seatback frame relative to said lower seat structure to adjust the
angular position of said seatback frame relative to said lower seat
structure, said drive mechanism includes a lead screw rotationally
mounted to said lower seat frame and longitudinally extending
relative to the seat assembly, said lead screw including a
plurality of external threads and a distal end coupled to said
connector member, whereby rotation of said lead screw in a first
direction upwardly pivots said seatback frame and rotation in a
second direction downwardly pivots said seatback frame.
16. The structured vehicle seat of claim 15, wherein said pivot pin
is non-rotatably interconnected to said lower seat structure.
17. The structured vehicle seat of claim 16, wherein said connector
member includes an internally threaded aperture in meshing
engagement with said plurality of external threads of said lead
screw..Iadd.
18. A structured vehicle seat, comprising:
a lower seat structure;
a seatback frame defining an upwardly extending channel;
a safety belt restraint system mounted to and carried by the
structured vehicle seat;
a pivot assembly interconnecting said seatback frame to said lower
seat structure, said pivot assembly including a pivot housing
fixedly attached to said lower seat structure, a rotatable
connector member, and a tie bar member interconnected at a first
point to said rotatable connector member and interconnected to said
pivot housing at a second point, said second point being spaced
apart from said first point, said connector member having a
seatback mounting portion fixedly interconnected to the seatback
frame and a seat mounting portion pivotally interconnected to the
lower seat structure, said seatback mounting portion of said pivot
assembly extending within said upwardly extending channel;
said seatback mounting portion of said rotatable connector member
includes a pair of spaced apertures which align with a pair of
correspondingly spaced apertures in said seatback frame for
receiving a pair of fasteners to interconnect said seatback
mounting portion and said seatback frame; and
whereby said pivot assembly is operative for interconnecting said
seatback frame to said lower seat structure such that the seatback
frame is selectively adjustable to a plurality of angular
positions. .Iaddend..Iadd.
19. The structured vehicle seat of claim 18, wherein said pivot
housing further includes a first plate member, a second plate
member, and a cavity between said first and second plate members,
wherein said tie bar member is disposed in said cavity, wherein
said first plate member, second plate member, rotatable connector
member, and tie bar member each include a passage, and wherein said
pivot assembly further includes a fastener disposed in each of said
passages to intercouple said first plate member, second plate
member, rotatable connector and tie bar member. .Iaddend..Iadd.
20. The structured vehicle seat of claim 19 wherein said first
plate member is an outer plate member and said tie bar member is
between said outer plate member and said rotatable connector
member. .Iaddend..Iadd.
21. The structured vehicle seat of claim 20 wherein said tie bar
member has a first end with said passage and a second end coupled
to said outer plate member whereby said tie bar member distributes
force loads from said fastener to said pivot housing.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
22. The structured vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein said rotatable
connector member is unitarily constructed of extruded aluminum.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
23. The structured vehicle seat assembly of claim 8 wherein said
rotatable connector member is unitarily constructed of extruded
aluminum. .Iaddend..Iadd.
24. The structured vehicle seat assembly of claim 15 wherein said
rotatable connector member is unitarily constructed of extruded
aluminum. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a seat assembly for a
motor vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to
a pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat of the type that
carries a retractable safety belt and includes a seatback pivotally
interconnected to a lower seat structure. The pivot assembly is
configured to transfer the potentially significant safety belt
loads that may be incurred during severe deceleration or vehicle
collision from the seatback to the lower seat structure, and in
turn, to the vehicle frame.
Virtually all motor vehicles are equipped with restraint systems
including a retractable safety belt for physically restraining a
seat occupant when the vehicle is subjected to a high rate of
deceleration which may occur, for example, during a vehicle
collision or during severe braking. In conventional vehicles, the
retractable safety belts are predominantly attached directly to the
vehicle structure. For example, most modern safety belt systems
utilize a belt retractor mounted to the vehicle floor pan which
adjustably receives the retractable belt. The retractable belt
extends upward from the belt retractor along the B-pillar of the
vehicle to a guide ring mounted to the B-pillar. The retractable
belt then extends downward from the B-pillar guide ring adjacent to
the belt retractor where an end of the retractable belt is
connected to the vehicle floor. A tongue plate is mounted on the
safety belt and is slidably movable therein between the end
anchored to the vehicle floor and the guide ring on the B-pillar. A
buckle is interconnected with the vehicle floor on the opposite
side of the occupant seat.
When the tongue plate is pulled across the occupant and releasably
inserted into the buckle, the retractable belt forms a lap belt
portion across the occupant's midsection and a shoulder belt
portion extending diagonally across the occupant's torso. The lap
belt portion and shoulder belt portion cooperate to retain the
occupant in the seat. While mounted to the vehicle frame
independently from the seat, the safety belt restraint system is
intended to be positioned in such a proximity to cooperate with the
seat for effectively and comfortably restraining the seat occupant
during severe deceleration.
While conventional safety belt restraint systems, such as the type
described above, have proven to be commercial acceptable for many
applications, each is attendant with drawbacks and subject to
improvement. In many applications, the operation and comfort of
such a conventional safety belt restraint system conflicts with the
operational requirements of modern vehicle seat assemblies. In this
regard, virtually all modern vehicles are equipped with seating
assemblies that can be selectively adjusted in at least the fore
and aft direction for providing increased comfort and convenience
to the seat occupant. Furthermore, modern vehicle seat assemblies,
particularly those intended for front seat applications, are almost
exclusively constructed to include a seatback mounted for pivotal
movement relative to a seat cushion for selective articulation
between a generally upright position and a fully reclined
position.
Through conventional adjustment of a seat assembly in the fore or
aft direction, an occupant seated on the seat assembly is
effectively translated relative to the mounting points (i.e, belt
retractor, B-pillar guide ring, belt end connection, and tongue
plate) of the safety belt restraint system. As a result, it
frequently becomes inconvenient and uncomfortable for a seat
occupant to correctly employ and/or utilize the safety belt
restraint system, thereby often discouraging use of the safety belt
restraint system. For example, if the vehicle seat assembly is
selectively moved to a forwardmost position, it is often difficult
for the seat occupant to reach back to grasp the seat belt tongue
plate carried adjacent the B-pillar. This difficulty is
particularly true with elderly occupants, occupants with physical
disabilities and occupants of smaller physical stature.
Furthermore, when the position of the vehicle seat assembly is
forwardly adjusted, the shoulder belt portion of the retractable
belt may abrade the seat occupant's neck, thereby resulting in
occupant irritation or discomfort.
Other difficulties and problems are encountered when a conventional
seat assembly is adjusted to its rearwardmost position. For
example, the shoulder belt portion of the retractable belt is more
susceptible to slight displacement from the upper torso of the
restrained occupant. As a result, the occupant may be undesirably
permitted to momentarily shift forward unrestrained by the shoulder
belt portion of the retractable belt when the vehicle is subject to
severe deceleration forces. Similar inconveniences are encountered
by the vehicle occupant when the seatback is pivotally articulated
from a standard operating position towards its fully reclined
position. Furthermore, a restrained seat occupant having the
vehicle seat in the rearwardmost position may be unable to move the
seat to a more forward position without first readjusting the
retractable belt.
The noted difficulties and inconveniences associated with
conventional seat assemblies and safety belt restraint systems are
further complicated in seating applications for convertible
vehicles. In this regard, for obvious reasons, it is desirable for
convertible vehicles to eliminate an upwardly extending B-pillar.
As a result, the upper B-pillar mounting point for the retractable
belt is often inconveniently positioned relative to the seat
occupant, frequently resulting in less than ideal belt fit and
occupant discomfort.
It is also known to mount a safety belt restraint system directly
to a seat assembly. In such an arrangement, the structure of the
seat assembly must be of sufficient strength to accommodate the
potentially significant loads that may be generated as a result of
vehicle deceleration from impact, severe braking, or the like.
However, known "structured" seat assemblies have also been
associated with various disadvantages. The primary problem with
such known constructions resides in an inability to efficiently and
effectively transfer deceleration loads received by the seatback to
the vehicle structure. More specifically, known constructions for
structured seat assemblies have been unable to fully retain the
operation features (e.g., pivotally mounted seatback, fore and aft
translation, etc.) demanded by consumers without utilizing complex
arrangements for pivotally mounting the seatback to the lower seat
structure. When functionally acceptable, these complex arrangements
are often weight prohibitive, cost prohibitive, or both.
In view of the foregoing, a need clearly exists to develop a pivot
assembly for vehicle seat assembly having a structured frame for
absorbing loads received from an attached safety belt restraint
system and transferring such loads to the vehicle frame. More
specifically, a need exists to develop a vehicle seat assembly
which efficiently and effectively overcomes the known shortcomings
associated with vehicle seat constructions and yet which can be
readily adapted for use in various vehicular seating
applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat that is
relatively simple in design and construction, inexpensive to
fabricate and assemble, and yet is durable and highly reliable.
A more detailed object of the present invention is to provide a
pivot assembly for a vehicle seat assembly having a belt restraint
system mounted to and carried by the seat assembly so that
regardless of the position of the seat assembly in the vehicle, the
belt restraint system remains in a constant position relative to
the seat occupant.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pivot assembly
for a vehicle seat assembly capable of withstanding the safety belt
loads incurred during a vehicle collision and transferring such
loads to a lower seat structure and, in turn, to the vehicle
frame.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pivot
assembly fixedly attached to a seatback frame of a vehicle seat for
interconnecting the seatback frame to a lower seat structure.
It is yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
pivot assembly incorporating an improved drive arrangement for
rotating a seatback of a structured vehicle seat between a
generally upright position and a fully reclined position.
These and other objects are provided by a structured vehicle seat
assembly which includes an improved pivot assembly operative for
transferring loads from an upper seatback frame to a lower seat
structure. In a presently preferred arrangement, a vehicle seat
assembly is constructed to include a first pivot assembly adjacent
an inboard side and a second pivot assembly adjacent an outboard
side. Each of the pivot assemblies preferably includes an
integrally formed connector member which functions to interconnect
the seatback frame and a lower seat structure.
In one form, the structured vehicle seat assembly of the present
invention includes a lower seat structure and a seatback frame. The
seatback frame is pivotally mounted relative to the lower seat
structure for selective movement to angular reclined positions
defined between a generally upright position and a fully reclined
position. A safety belt restraint system is carried by the lower
seat structure and the seatback frame. The structure vehicle seat
assembly further includes a pivot assembly for pivotally
interconnecting the seatback frame to the lower seat structure.
Preferably, the pivot assembly is fixedly attached to the seatback
frame.
In a more preferred form, the structured vehicle seat assembly of
the present invention includes a lower seat structure having a
seatpan frame and a slide assembly for selectively translating the
seatpan frame in fore and aft directions. The structured vehicle
seat assembly further includes a seatback frame pivotally
interconnected to the lower seat structure for selective movement
between plural angular positions relative to the lower seat
structure. The seatback frame includes a lower end and an upwardly
extending channel adjacent one of an inboard side and an outboard
side of the seatback frame. The upwardly extending channel is open
adjacent the lower end. A safety belt restraint system is attached
to and carried by the lower seat structure and the seatback frame.
The structured vehicle seat assembly further includes a pivot
assembly for pivotally interconnecting the seatback frame to the
lower seat structure for selectively rotation between a generally
upright position and a fully reclined position. The pivot assembly
includes a housing attached to the slide assembly and a generally
boot-shaped connector member pivotally mounted to the housing for
rotation about a pivot pin. The generally boot-shaped connector
member includes an upper portion and which at least partially
extends into the upwardly extending channel of the seatback frame.
Preferably, the boot-shaped connector member is fixedly attached to
the seatback frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from analysis of the following written
specification and the accompanying drawing and the appended claims
in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portion of a passenger
seating area in an exemplary motor vehicle illustrating an
exemplary pair of structured vehicle seat assemblies constructed in
accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged front perspective view of the passenger seat
assembly shown in FIG. 1, with the upholstery, cushions, and safety
belt restraint system removed to illustrate in detail its
components;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross sections through the support tubes shown
in phantom in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the inboard and outboard
pivot assemblies of the pivot arrangement shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the outboard pivot assembly of
FIGS. 2 and 4 showing its components in greater detail and
illustrating the associated connector member in a standard
operating position and in phantom illustrating the connector member
rotated toward a reclined position;
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the lower seat
structure and outboard pivot assembly of the passenger seat
assembly of FIG. 2 further illustrated to include a shoulder belt
retractor and a lap belt retractor;
FIG. 7 is a partial front perspective view of the seat assembly of
FIG. 2 illustrating the interconnection between the inboard pivot
assembly, the lateral support member, and the slide assembly;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of one of the inboard connector
member shown in FIGS. 2 through 6;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of FIG.
8;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the tie bar shown in FIG.
2;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along the line
11--11 of FIG. 5 and further shown to include the associated slide
assembly and mounting to the vehicle structure;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of
FIG. 5; and
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 13--13 of
FIG. 5.
The following detailed description utilizes various terminology
intended to indicate general direction for purposes of describing
the figures to which reference is being made. For example, it will
be understood that the terminology "inboard" and "outboard" will be
used as a convenience to designate the lateral sides of the seat
assembly. It will be further understood that the terminology "fore"
and "aft" will be used to refer to directional movement of the seat
toward the front of the vehicle and away from the front of the
vehicle, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is directed to a structured seat assembly
that is particularly well-suited for use in motor vehicle seating
applications. More specifically, the present invention is directed
to an improved pivot assembly for such a structured seat assembly.
The exemplary seating arrangement shown throughout the drawings is
illustrated to be specifically adapted for application in the front
seating area of a motor vehicle as front driver and passenger seat
assemblies. However, it is to be understood that the teachings of
the present invention are not limited to the particular vehicle
seating arrangement shown. That is, the illustrated application is
merely an exemplary representation of the general type of
environment into which the present invention may be
incorporated.
Referring now generally to the drawings in which like elements are
identified with identical reference numerals throughout, and
particularly to FIG. 1, a portion of a front seating area of a
motor vehicle is shown to include a pair of independently
positionable seat assemblies constructed to include pivot
assemblies in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. For ease of reference, the passenger seat assembly shown
on the left-hand side of FIG. 1 is identified throughout the
drawings as reference numeral 10 and the similarly constructed
driver seat assembly is identified with reference numeral 10'. It
will be understood that passenger seat assembly 10 and driver seat
assembly 10' are functionally identical, and further that the
construction of driver seat assembly 10' is a mirror image to that
of passenger seat assembly 10. Thus, while the remainder of this
detailed description will focus primarily on the construction and
operation of passenger seat assembly 10, a thorough understanding
of driver seat assembly 10' will be apparent therefrom.
Seat assembly 10 is illustrated to include a seat cushion 12, a
padded seatback 14, and a headrest 16 for supporting a vehicle
occupant (not shown) in a conventional manner. When in a standard
operating position as illustrated in FIG. 1, seatback 14 extends
upwardly at the rear of seat cushion 12 and is angled slightly
rearward. As will be discussed in further detail below, seatback 14
is mounted for pivotal adjustment relative to its corresponding
seat cushion 12 for occupant convenience and comfort. That is,
seatback 14 is pivotally adjustable to plural angular positions
defined between the standard operating position, or generally
upright position, and a fully reclined position (not specifically
shown).
Seat assembly 10 is further shown to include a safety belt
restraint system 18 mounted to and carried by seat assembly 10. In
the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, safety belt
restraint system 18 is shown to include a retractable belt 20
adapted for restraining the seat occupant in a seated position
adjacent seat cushion 12 and padded seatback 14 when the vehicle is
subject to severe deceleration forces due to severe braking or a
vehicle collision. Retractable belt 20 is shown to extend outwardly
from seat assembly 10 adjacent a top outboard corner of seatback 14
where it engages a belt slide assembly 22. It will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art, that belt slide assembly 22 is
vertically adjustable to comfortably accommodate seat occupants of
varying heights.
As shown with respect to the seat assembly 10, retractable belt 20
extends downwardly along an outboard side 23 of seat assembly 10
when not in use. An end 24 of retractable belt 20 is interconnected
to seat assembly 10 through a lower belt retractor 26 (shown in
FIG. 1 in connection with driver seat assembly 10'). A tongue plate
28 is adjustably positioned on retractable belt 20 between belt
slide assembly 22 and lower belt retractor 26. A cooperating buckle
component 32 is attached to an inboard side 40 of seat assembly 10
and is specifically adapted for releasable engagement of tongue
plate 28 in a generally convention manner.
As illustrated with respect to driver side seat assembly 10', when
tongue plate 28 is inserted into buckle component 32, retractable
belt 20 forms an adjustable shoulder belt portion 36 for diagonally
traversing the torso of the seat occupant and an adjustable lap
belt portion 38 for traversing the seat occupant's waist. Shoulder
belt portion 36 extends from belt slide assembly 22 to the lower
portion of inboard side 40 of seat assembly 10. Safety belt
restraint system 18 of seat assembly 10 of the present invention
has been shown and described in this manner. However, nothing
herein should be construed so as to limit seat assembly 10 of the
present invention to any specific safety belt restraint system.
That is, the teachings of the present invention are applicable for
use with any of a number of safety belt restraint systems and the
system illustrated should merely be considered to be exemplary.
With reference to FIGS. 2 through 5, seat assembly 10 shown in FIG.
1 is illustrated with its upholstery, padding, headrest 16 and
safety belt restraint system 18 removed to more clearly illustrate
the novel structure and operational features of the present
invention. Seat assembly 10 is shown generally to include a
seatback frame 42 and a lower seat structure 44. Seat assembly 10
is shown to further include a pivot arrangement 46 which preferably
comprises an inboard board assembly 48 and an outboard pivot
assembly 50. As will become more apparent below, inboard and
outboard pivot assemblies 48 and 50 cooperatively operate for
pivotally mounting seatback frame 42, and in turn seatback 14,
relative to lower seat structure 44 for rotation between plural
angular positions.
Through inboard and outboard pivot assemblies 48 and 50, seatback
frame 42 is pivotally movable between the standard operating
position and the fully reclined position. Inboard and outboard
pivot assemblies 48 and 50 further cooperate to transfer loads
applied to seatback frame 42 (e.g., directly from the seat occupant
or indirectly through retractable belt 20) to lower seat structure
44. The primary focus of the present invention is directed to the
construction and operation of inboard and outboard pivot assemblies
48 and 50 and their interconnection with cooperating structure of
seatback frame 42 and lower seat structure 44. However, a further
understanding of the exemplary seatback frame 42 and lower seat
structure 44 with which pivot assemblies 48 and 50 are specifically
adapted to cooperate is warranted prior to turning to the details
of pivot assemblies 48 and 50.
With specific reference to FIG. 2, seatback frame 42 is generally
rectangular in shape and includes a hollow outboard beam 54
upwardly extending along outboard side 23 of seat assembly 10 and a
corresponding hollow inboard beam 56 upwardly extending along
inboard side 40 of seat assembly 10. Outboard beam 54 is open at an
upper end 58 and is adapted to receive safety belt slide assembly
22. Adjacent their respective lower ends 60 and 62, inboard and
outboard beams 54 and 56 are interconnected by a lower intermediate
member 64. Lower ends 60 and 62 of inboard and outboard beams 54
and 56, respectively, are open, thereby defining two parallel
channels (not specifically shown) accessible from the lower end of
seatback frame 42. Upper end 58 of outboard beam 54 and an upper
end 65 of inboard beam 56 are interconnected by an upper
intermediate member 66. As will be appreciated more fully below,
inboard and outboard beams 54 and 56 are specifically adapted to
receive a portion of pivot assemblies 48 and 50, respectively, and
thereby interconnect seatback frame 42 with lower seat structure
44. Seatback frame 42 is preferably unitarily constructed of steel
or other suitable high strength material.
Seatback frame 42, while providing the additional structure and
strength necessary to accommodate potentially significant seat belt
loads, utilizes efficient management of material, thereby avoiding
the use of excess material where not required. One example of this
efficient management of material is that seatback frame 42 is
generally rectangular in shape having a substantially rectangular
central aperture 68 for purposes of weight reduction and functions
to direct loads downward to pivot assemblies 48 and 50. A second
example of this material management is that seatback frame 42
further is constructed to include a pair of support tubes 70, shown
in phantom in FIG. 2 and further shown in the cross-sectional views
of FIGS. 3A and 3B, located in inboard and outboard beams 54 and
56. Support tubes 70 function to sufficiently strengthen seatback
frame 42 for interconnection with and transferring seat belt loads
to pivot arrangement 46 without adding unnecessary weight or
interfering structure. As shown in the cross-sectional views of
FIGS. 3A and 3B, support tubes 70 define channels 72 for directly
receiving a portion of inboard and outboard pivot assemblies 48 and
50. The specific interconnection between support tubes 70, inboard
and outboard beams 54 and 56 and pivot assemblies 48 and 50 will be
discussed in detail below.
With continued reference to FIG. 2 and additional reference to
FIGS. 6 and 7, lower seat structure 44 of seat assembly 10 is shown
to include a seat adjustment mechanism 74 of the type commonly
referred to as "two-way" adjuster that is adapted to permit a seat
occupant to selectively adjust the longitudinal (i.e., "fore" and
"aft) position of a seat cushion 12 and seatback 14. To provide
means for such a longitudinal adjustment, seat adjustment mechanism
74 includes a pair of laterally spaced seat slide devices 76 which
each include an outer track member 78 and an inner track member 80.
While not specifically illustrated, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that seat adjustment mechanism 74 further
includes a generally conventional device (not shown) operably
coupled to inner track members 80. The device is selectively
actuable for permitting synchronous movement of inner track members
80 relative to outer track members 78.
In the embodiment illustrated, outer track members 78 are elongated
structural members which are similarly configured to include a
generally C-shaped cross-section. Outer track member 78 more
specifically includes a side wall 81 and a pair of horizontally
spaced legs 82 extending therefrom. Formed at the distal end of
each horizontally spaced leg 82 is an inwardly bent lip or flange
84. Thus, outer track members 78 cooperate to define elongated
slide channels 86 having an inwardly facing open portion.
Inner track members 80 are shown as elongated structural members
having a modified C-shaped cross-sections. Inner track members 80
are sized to be cooperatively received within elongated slide
channels 86 of the respective outer track members 78. More
specifically, inner track members 80 are identically constructed to
each include an upper U-shaped segment 88 and a lower U-shaped
segment 90 retained within the slide channels 86 defined by the
corresponding outer track members 80. Inner track member 78 further
includes a mounting segment 92 interdisposed therebetween. Mounting
segment 92, which interconnects segment 88 and segment 90, also has
a U-shape and further includes a generally vertical side 94
slidably disposed within the inwardly facing open portion of outer
track member 78. Thus, inner track members 80 are interlocking
interfitted with their corresponding outer track member 78 in a
manner which facilities the transfer of vertically directed loads
to the vehicle's sill or floor structure.
As noted, each inner track member 80 is slidably mounted with
respect to its corresponding outer track member 78 for relative
bi-directional movement in the fore and aft directions as indicated
by Arrow A in FIG. 6. As will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art, suitable bearings (not shown) or other functionally
equivalent structure may be incorporated between outer track member
78 and inner track member 80 to facilitate sliding movement
therebetween.
Lower seat structure 44 is further shown to include a reinforced
seatpan frame 100. Seatpan frame 100 is generally rectangular in
construction and includes a rectangular aperture 102 for purposes
of overall weight reduction and to facilitate mounting of
appropriate springs and padding (not shown). Seat mounting
fasteners (not shown), such as threaded studs and nuts, serve to
secure seatpan frame 100 to a mounting bracket (not shown), which
is in turn secured to inner track member 80. In this manner,
seatpan frame 100 is mounted for sliding movement with inner track
members 80 on outer track members 78.
With general reference to FIGS. 2-13, inboard and outboard pivot
assemblies 48 and 50 of the present invention will now be
described. To a significant degree, inboard pivot assembly 48 and
outboard pivot assembly 50 are identical in construction and
function. To facilitate description thereof, inboard pivot assembly
48 will first be described and subsequently the differences of
outboard pivot assembly 50 will be addressed. Common reference
numerals will be used between the pivot assemblies 48 and 50 to
denote substantially identical components.
Inboard pivot assembly 48 is illustrated to include a connector
member 104, or pivot arm, which is pivotally attached to a housing
106. In a manner which will be described below, housing 106 is, in
turn, attached to the inboard inner track member 80 of slide device
72. Housing 106 is shown to be preferably constructed to include an
outer plate member 108 and an inner plate member 110 which
cooperate to define a housing cavity 111. Outer plate member 108
and inner plate member 110 each include a main body portion having
a generally shoe-shape.
Outer and inner plate members 108 and 110 are joined at their
respective upper edges through a pair of cooperating mounting
flanges 112 and 114 integrally formed with outer and inner plate
members 108 and 110, respectively. Suitable fasteners 116, such as
rivets, pass through apertures 118 formed in each of the pair of
mounting flanges 112 and 114. Adjacent its lower end, outer plate
member 108 includes a mounting flange 119 for cooperating with a
downwardly extending lower edge 120 of inner plate member 110.
Lower edge 120 and flange 119 are joined by way of suitable
fasteners such as rivets 121 and, in turn, jointly attached to
vertical side 94 of inner track member 80 with bolts 122. Thus,
inboard pivot assembly 48 is mounted for bi-directional
translational movement with inner track member 80 between fore and
aft positions.
Spacing is maintained between the outer and inner plate members 108
and 110 through a pair of generally cylindrical mounting spacer 124
(shown in FIG. 4). Each mounting spacer 124 includes a reduced
diameter portion 126 at each of its ends which is adapted to be
received into corresponding cylindrical apertures 128 formed on the
inner sides of the outer plate member 108 and inner plate member
110. A mounting stud 130 outwardly extends from outer plate 108 to
which a belt portion (partially shown at 132) is interconnected.
Belt portion 132 is attached to buckle member 32.
As specifically shown in FIG. 8, connector member 104 is
illustrated to be generally boot-shaped in construction and is
configured so as to be partially extended into upwardly extending
channel 72 defined by support tube 70. More particularly, connector
member 104 is shown to include an upwardly extending portion 140,
or arm, adapted to be received into upwardly extending channel 72
as shown in FIG. 3. Connector member 104 is fixedly interconnected
with seatback frame 42 through a pair of threaded bolts 142 (shown
in FIG. 2) or other suitable fasteners which pass through a pair of
threaded apertures 144 and 146 in connector member 104 and aligning
apertures (not shown) formed in support tube 70 and inboard beam 56
of seatback frame 42. Apertures 144 and 146 provide two point
contact for fixedly interconnecting connector member 104 with
seatback frame 42.
Connector member 104 includes a heel portion 148 including an
aperture 150 defining a pivot axis about which connector member 104
can be selectively rotated. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 5,
connector member 104 is shown in solid lines in its standard
operating position and in phantom lines in a reclined position. A
pivot pin 152 passes through aperture 150 and serves to pivotally
interconnect connector member 104 and pivot assembly housing
106.
In the preferred embodiment, connector member 104 is unitarily
constructed of aluminum through an extrusion process. However, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that connector
member 104 may be alternatively constructed by forging, casting or
by any other well known manner from aluminum or other suitable
material exhibiting sufficient strength requirements. Aluminum is
the material of choice due to its physical characteristics and
relatively light weight. In addition, aluminum is a relatively
inexpensive material which is easily formed. In one application,
connector member 104 is approximately eleven inches in length.
As noted above, outboard pivot assembly 50 is similar in
construction and function to inboard pivot assembly 48. With
specific reference to FIGS. 4, 10 and 11, the differences residing
in outboard pivot assembly 50 will now be discussed. Outboard pivot
assembly 50 incorporates a slightly altered construction to
accommodate the attachment of retractable belt 20 to the outboard
side 23 of seatback 42. Specifically, outboard pivot assembly 50 is
illustrated to additionally incorporate means for distributing
force loads received from seatback frame 42 and localized at pivot
pin 152 which passes through the pivot axis of connector member
104. In the preferred embodiment, the means for distributing loads
received from seatback 42 comprises a generally planar tie bar
member 154. Tie bar member 154 is preferably shown to be unitarily
constructed of high strength steel or other suitable material and
functions to reduce loads concentrated about a pivot axis define by
pivot pin 152. A portion of the loads is transferred to multiple
points of the pivot assembly housing 106. As a result, the overall
weight and dimensions of pivot assembly housing 106 are able to be
reduced compared to a housing construction otherwise capable of
accommodating the potentially significant loads from seatback
42.
Tie bar member 154 is disposed within cavity 111 adjacent the inner
side of outer plate member 108. To facilitate general mating of tie
bar member 154 with outer plate member 108, tie bar member 154 is
formed to include an upper stepped portion and a lower stepped
portion. Tie bar member 154 is further formed to include a mounting
aperture 160 adjacent a first end 158, or upper end, which receives
pivot pin 152. Similarly, adjacent a second end 162, or lower end,
tie bar member 154 is formed to include a mounting aperture 164.
Mounting aperture 164 receives a mounting spacer 166 which is
received in apertures 168 and 170 located in outer plate member 108
and inner plate member 110, respectively. A clearance hole 172 is
provided in a central portion 174 of tie bar member 154.
Seat assembly 10 is further shown to include a drive arrangement
for selectively rotating connector member 104 about its pivot axis
and thereby rotating seatback 14 between its operating position and
its reclined position. The drive arrangement is illustrated to
include a drive motor (partially shown at 180) mounted to a lateral
stabilization bracket 182 by bolts (not shown) or other suitable
fasteners. Lateral stabilization bracket 182, shown most clearly in
FIG. 7, includes a pair of mounting portions 184 disposed at
opposite ends of a central portion 186 which are generally
perpendicular to central portion 186. The mounting portions 184 are
secured to mounting flanges 188, which are in turn secured to one
of the pivot assembly housings 106.
Drive arrangement is further illustrated to include a drive unit
190 located in each of the cavities 111 of the inboard and outboard
pivot assemblies 48 and 50. In the embodiment illustrated, drive
unit 190 is a right angle drive unit including a 45.degree. bevel
gear 192 interconnected with a threaded lead screw 194. Drive unit
190 includes a pair of cylindrical extensions 196 and 198 which
partially extend through apertures 200 and 202 formed in outer
plate member 108 and inner plate member 110, respectively.
Cylindrical extensions 196 and 198 function to locate drive unit
190 within cavity 111. Drive unit 190 is interconnected with motor
180 through a drive cable 204. In a manner that will be understood
by those skilled in the art, selective actuation of drive motor 180
causes drive cable to rotate in one of two opposite directions,
thereby turning bevel gear 192 in one of two opposite directions.
Such turning of bevel gear 192 results in corresponding rotation of
lead screw 194.
Lead screw 194 is interconnected with connector member 104 for
driving connector member 104 about its pivot axis. In this regard,
connector member 104 includes a toe portion 214 including an
internally threaded aperture 216 which receives an externally
threaded pin 218. Pin 218 is formed to include an internally
threaded aperture 220 disposed generally perpendicular to the axis
defined by pin 218. The internal threads of aperture 220 are
operative for engaging the threads of lead screw 194. Toe portion
214 of connector member 104 is further shown to include a pair of
flange-like portions 222 and 224 which are spaced apart and through
which aperture 216 passes. A space between flanges 222 and 224
provides operational clearance for threaded lead screw 194.
A manually actuated button (not shown) accessible by the seat
occupant in a conventional manner operates to selectively control
drive motor 180 and thereby rotate lead screw 194. As is now
apparent, rotation of lead screw 194 in turn causes connector
member 104 to pivot about its pivot pin 152. In so doing, seatback
14 can be selectively rotated between its standard upright position
and various inclined positions, with the degree of reclination of
seatback 14 being a function of the rotated position of lead screw
194.
As shown in FIG. 6, lower belt retractor 26 is attached to outboard
pivot assembly 50 through a bracket 230. Bracket 230 is mounted to
a threaded stud 232 and an outwardly extending end 234 of pivot pin
152. Retractable belt 20 extends upwardly from lower belt retractor
26. Seat assembly 10 is further shown to include an upper belt
retractor 240 mounted to inner track member 80 with bolts (not
shown) or other suitable fasteners. Upper belt retractor 240
adjustably receives an end (not shown) of retractable belt 20.
Retractable belt 20 extends upwardly therefrom to belt slide
assembly 22.
With reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, seat
assembly 10 is illustrated to be attached to the vehicle floor 242,
or sill, through a mounting bracket 244. In this regard, outer
track member 78 of slide assembly 76 is fixedly attached to
mounting bracket 224 by bolts or rivets (not shown). In turn,
mounting bracket 244 is attached to vehicle floor 242 with suitable
threaded fasteners 246. Thus, safety belt restraint system 18 is
interconnected with the vehicle structure through seat assembly
10.
During a vehicle collision or severe deceleration, the loads
applied to seatback 14 by shoulder belt portion 36 of retractable
belt 20 produce significant loads in seatback frame 42. The loads
in seatback frame 42 are transferred to lower seat structure 44
through pivot arrangement 46. Loads are similarly transferred from
seatback 42 to lower seat structure 44 if the vehicle is subject to
a rear-end collision. Thus, an improved design for a pivot
arrangement which efficiently and effectively transfers seatback
loads to vehicle structure through a structured vehicle seat is
provided.
The pivot assembly of the present invention thus accomplishes the
aforementioned objects by contributing to seat assembly 10 to which
safety belt restraint system 18 is carried to efficiently and
effectively overcome the discussed inconveniences of having a
retractable belt 20 directly coupled to the vehicle structure with
seat assembly 10 movable relative to safety belt restraint system
18. In accomplishing these objectives, seat assembly 10 has
retained the functional requirements of traditional vehicle seating
structures while providing the necessary strength to accommodate
the potentially significant loads which may be applied thereto by
the safety belt restraint system 18.
While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and
described in detail to illustrate the principles of the present
invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied
otherwise without departing from such principles. For example, one
skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion and
from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes,
modifications and variations can be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
* * * * *