Patent Application
20080006466
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a vehicle anti-theft mechanism 10 embodying the present invention. Mechanism 10 comprises a motor vehicle having a steering wheel 12 that is located adjacent to a front dashboard 14 in the usual manner.
A vehicle driver's seat unit 20 has a sitting support portion 24 and a back support portion 27. As indicated by arrows 27 in
A seat mount 30 supports the driver's seat unit on the motor vehicle and is operated in a well known manner to adjust the position of the driver's seat for driving. A seat unit moving mechanism 40 is shown in
First cross arm support 42 further includes a second bore 54 defined through second end 46 with the first cross arm support is internally threaded as indicated at 56 adjacent to the second bore. A second cross arm support 60 is fixedly secured to seat mount 30. Second cross arm support 60 has a first end 62 and a second end 64.
A first bore 66 is defined through first end 62 of second cross arm support 60. Second cross arm support is internally threaded as indicated at 68 adjacent to first bore 66. A second bore 70 is defined through second end 64 of the second cross arm support. The second cross arm support is internally threaded as indicated at 72 adjacent to second bore 70 of the second cross arm support.
A first screw element 80 has an external thread 82, a first end 84 which is threadably connected to first cross arm support 42 adjacent to first bore 48 of the first cross arm support and a second end 86 which is threadably connected to second cross arm support 60 adjacent to first bore 66 of the second cross arm support. A second screw element 90 has an external thread 92, a first end 94 which is threadably connected to first cross arm support 42 adjacent to second bore 54 of the first cross arm support and a second end 96 which is threadably connected to second cross arm support 60 adjacent to second bore 70 of the second cross arm support.
A motor unit 100 is mounted on second cross arm support 60 and is operatively connected to the first and second screw elements to rotate the first and second screw elements when the motor is activated. The motor is connected to the screw elements in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The details of the connection between the motor and the screw elements are not important to this invention and will not be claimed. As such, the details of the operative connection between the motor and the screw elements will not be discussed. The motor is adapted to rotate in first and second directions, with the first direction causing the screw elements to rotate in a direction that moves the first cross arm support in the direction indicated by arrow 102 in
A remote control system 110 is used to operate the motor unit. The remote control system includes a hand-held unit 112. The remote control is programmed so that a pass code must be entered before the seat can be moved back away from the locking position.
A vehicle locking system can be included, and the motor unit is connected to the locking system to move the seat into the locking position when the vehicle locking system is activated and to move the seat into the vehicle driving position when the locking system is de-activated once a pass code is entered.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
