Patent Grant
9216673
The present invention is directed to a seat position adjustment arrangement and more particularly to a seat position adjustment arrangement of low profile construction.
Fore-aft seat position adjustment arrangements are commonly used to permit the position of a vehicle seat to be moved relative to the front or rear of a vehicle in which the seat is mounted either closer to the front of the vehicle or closer to the rear of the vehicle to accommodate seat occupants of different sizes, heights and shapes. In the past, relatively simple seat mount and fore-aft seat position adjustment arrangements have been constructed of numerous components that require a considerable number of manufacturing steps that have tended to make them increasingly cost-prohibitive. One such known fore-aft seat position adjustment system used on lawn tractors employs a seat mount assembly formed of a metal plate that functions not only as a seat mount but also as a slide plate. The seat mount slide plate has a pair of spaced apart fore-aft extending guide slots defined by parallel slot sidewalls with each guide slot receiving a pair of bolts that are inserted through washers into metal spacer bushings attached to a bottom of the seat. Not only are an excessive number of parts required, namely bolts, washers, and bushings, but the time required to place washers on each bolt before maneuvering each bolt through the seat mount slide plate and spacer bushing in attaching the bolt to the seat bottom is considerable.
In addition, since spacer bushings are required to space the seat mount slide plate from the seat bottom, the vertical height or profile of such a seat mount and fore-aft position adjustment arrangement is rather tall. This results in a seat index point that can be undesirably high and which can limit clearance with a rollover protective structure of a vehicle cab when present. Finally, the use of metal fasteners is less than desirable because they can rust and can cause the seat mount slide plate to rust. The use of metal washers to help provide a fore-aft bearing surface is also undesirable as they too can rust and can also scrape the seat mount slide plate which can, in turn, lead to rusting of the slide plate.
Another common fore-aft adjustment system consists of a pair of seat adjusters attached between the bottom of the seat and the vehicle but can also be located between the bottom of the seat and an upper housing of its seat suspension. Each adjuster consists of an elongate metal upper rail bolted to the seat that is slidably interlocked with an elongate metal lower rail bolted to the vehicle or seat suspension with the upper rail moving or translating linearly relative to the lower rail during seat adjustment. At least one of the adjusters includes an integrated seat position latch used to releasably fix the position of the upper rail relative to the lower rail to releasably lock the seat in a desired fore-aft seat position.
Unfortunately, since the upper and lower rails of each adjuster typically include an elongate channel formed in one rail that receives a flange of the other rail, dirt and other debris, such as sand, gravel, or grass clippings, can and often does accumulate within the channel causing the rails to bind and even lock up preventing fore-aft seat position adjustment. In addition, since seat adjusters typically require a significant amount of space between the seat and the vehicle or suspension housing, quite often raising the seat 25 mm or more above the vehicle or suspension housing, seat adjusters are ill-suited for off-road vehicle seating applications where seat clearance is limited.
What is needed is a seat mount that also provides fore-aft seat position adjustment that overcomes at least some of these drawbacks.
The present invention is directed to a seat position adjustment assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention that includes a plurality of spaced apart slide bearings slidably coupling an anchor plate to a slide plate in a manner that allows relative movement therebetween in manner permitting positioning of a vehicle seat that can be in a fore-aft direction. A seat position adjustment assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention slidably and removably couples a vehicle seat to part of a vehicle in which the seat is mounted, such as a mounting platform, which can be part of the vehicle floor or chassis or which can be part of a suspension of the seat, where equipped with a seat suspension.
Each slide bearing extends outwardly from the anchor plate having at least one slide plate receiving channel slidably receiving one of a pair of opposed edges of the slide plate that define one of a plurality of spaced apart guide slots formed in the slide plate. Each slide bearing can be elongated in the direction of relative motion with the slide plate with each slide plate receiving channel formed therein extending generally in the direction of elongation.
Where the seat position adjustment assembly is configured for fore-aft seat position adjustment, the slide plate is fixed so its guide slots are oriented generally in a fore-aft direction with each slide plate receiving channel of each slide bearing oriented generally in a fore-aft direction when slidably coupled with the slide plate. In a preferred embodiment, each slide bearing has a pair of spaced apart and generally parallel fore-aft extending slide plate receiving channels that each slidably receives a corresponding slot defining edge of a respective fore-aft extending guide slot formed in the slide plate in which the slide bearing is slidably received.
Each slide bearing can be removably anchored to the anchor plate by a keeper that releasably engages part of the slide bearing extending between the anchor plate and the slide plate. In a preferred keeper embodiment, the keeper is configured for snap fit engagement with the slide bearing. Such a keeper can be configured to straddle the slide bearing in a direction generally transverse to the at least one slide plate receiving channel formed in the slide bearing to help prevent disengagement from the slide bearing during seat position adjustment. One preferred keeper has a pair of spaced apart arms straddling opposite sides or ends of the slide bearing when removably attached to the slide bearing. Each arm can engage the slide bearing in a direction generally parallel to a slide plate receiving channel but preferably engages the slide bearing in a direction generally transverse thereto to help prevent keeper disengagement during seat position adjustment.
In a preferred embodiment, each slide bearing and keeper form a slide bearing assembly used to slidably couple the anchor plate to the slide plate in a manner that permits releasable detachment therefrom, such as when servicing the seat position adjustment assembly and/or the seat. In one slide bearing assembly embodiment, the slide bearing includes a retainer engagement channel that receives part of the keeper that can be disposed at an angle relative to the at least one slide plate receiving channel.
In a preferred embodiment, the slide bearing has a pair of spaced apart retainer engagement channels generally transverse to the at least one slide plate receiving channel orienting a keeper received in the retainer engagement channels generally perpendicular to the direction of seat adjustment helping prevent the keeper from disengaging from the slide bearing during seat position adjustment. In another embodiment, at least one of the retainer engagement channels can be generally parallel to the at least one slide plate receiving channel.
A preferred slide bearing embodiment has a retainer base disposed on one side of the anchor plate and a head extending outwardly from the retainer base through a hole in the plate outwardly beyond the other side of the plate. The keeper engages the head of the slide bearing between the anchor plate and slide plate anchoring the slide bearing to the anchor plate. Where a relatively low profile seat position adjustment assembly is desired, the keeper is relatively thin and extends alongside the anchor plate spacing the anchor plate from the slide plate also providing a bearing surface facing the slide plate against which the slide plate can slidably contact during seat position adjustment.
The keeper can be generally U-shaped having a pair of spaced apart arms with a hook at the free end of each arm that can be configured for snap fit engagement with the head of a slide bearing to which the keeper is being attached. During attachment of such a keeper embodiment, the arms of the keeper slidably straddle the slide bearing head until the hooks snap into engagement with an abutment of the slide bearing on one side of the head and a beam of the keeper interconnecting the arms bears against the abutment of the slide bearing on the opposite side of the head. Where the slide bearing head includes more than one retainer engagement channel, each retainer engagement channel receives a corresponding arm of the keeper during attachment of the keeper to the slide bearing head.
Where the anchor plate forms part of a seat bottom having an outer cover, a keeper engaged with the head of a slide bearing extending from the anchor plate can bear against the cover urging the cover against the anchor plate such that the keeper further functions as an upholstery retainer clip. Where the seat position adjustment assembly is of low profile construction, the keeper not only can help hold the cover against the anchor plate, but can also function as a spacer that spaces the slide plate from the anchor plate. Such a keeper can also provide a slide bearing surface in slidable contact with the slide plate.
A seat position adjustment assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention can include a seat position latch arrangement disposed between the anchor plate and slide plate that includes a latch handle pivotally engaged with the anchor plate that is biased toward the slide plate releasably retaining the seat in a desired seat position when engaged with the slide plate. The seat position latch arrangement can include a spring, such as a coil spring, captured in compression between the anchor plate and latch handle that biases the handle toward a slide plate engaging position that releasably retains the seat in one of a plurality of preset seat positions.
These and various other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and detailed description.
One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:
Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description and illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Such a seat position adjustment assembly 40 employing a slide plate 42 slidably engaged by slide bearings 46 constructed in accordance with the present invention can be configured with slide bearings 46 carried by and extending outwardly from the seat mounting platform 45 with the slide bearings 46 slidably engaging a slide plate 42 carried by and/or formed of part of a bottom 48 of the seat 44 in mounting the seat 44 to the platform 45. A preferred seat position assembly 40 shown in
With specific reference to
As is best depicted by
In the preferred seat position adjustment assembly 40 shown in
The seat mounting platform 45 can be located in or on a vehicle to which the seat 44 is being mounted. Where the vehicle is equipped with a cab (not shown), the mounting platform 45 can be located within the cab such that the seat 44 is disposed within the cab when mounted to the platform 45. Types of vehicles for which a seat position adjustment assembly 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention are well suited include agricultural tractors, turf care equipment, recreational vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles (ATV's) and golf carts, utility vehicles (UTV's) industrial lift trucks, earthmoving machinery, and other off-road vehicles.
As is best shown in
Each cushion 66 and 70 can be of one-piece and unitary construction that can further be of substantially homogeneous construction, if desired. Such a cushion 66 and 70 can be formed of an open cell or closed cell foam, such as a urethane foam, or the like.
With reference to
Although not shown in the drawings, the seat frame 62 also extends upwardly within the backrest base 60 such that the backrest cushion 70 can also be secured to the frame 62 in a manner similar to that of the seat cushion 66 of the seat base 58. The upwardly extending portion of the seat frame 62 can also be of tubular construction and can further include a plurality of cross members interconnecting frame tubes, if desired.
The seat 44 can include a seat cover 76 with a shroud 63 form fitted to slip over the seat cushion 66 and anchor plate 90 with the shroud 63 including a front panel 51, side panels 53, 55 and a top panel 57, which respectively overlap the front, sides and top of the seat cushion 66, and including a bottom panel 78, which overlaps the anchor plate 90 when attached to the seat base 58. As is best shown in
It should be noted in the exploded views of
In one cover embodiment, the cover 76 can be formed of an upholstery material, such as leather, vinyl, fabric, cloth, or another type of upholstery material, which can be stitched, sewn, formed or otherwise configured in a manner that produces a cover 76 with such a shroud 63. In another embodiment, the cover 76 is molded, such as from plastic, and formed in a manner that produces a form-fitting shroud 63. In a still further embodiment, the cover 76 can be integrally formed of the seat cushion 66, such as during molding of the cushion 66, with the bottom panel 78, if such a panel 78 is used, provided separately. Where a separate bottom panel 78 is used, the panel 78 can be formed of a sheet, such as a plastic sheet, or can be formed of an upholstery material, such as leather, vinyl, fabric, cloth or another type of upholstery material.
In the preferred seat position adjustment assembly 40 shown in
The anchor plate 90 can be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, and can be formed by stamping or using another suitable forming method. The plate 90 can also be made of a molded material, such as a fiber reinforced plastic, such as fiber reinforced nylon, carbon fiber reinforced plastic, or another fiber reinforced composite material. In either embodiment, the resultant anchor plate 90 is substantially rigid enabling the slide bearings 46 to be securely anchored to the plate 90 when assembled to the plate 90. Such a substantially rigid anchor plate 90 also can help support a bottom 81 of a seat cushion 66 resting on the plate 90 thereby helping to support the weight of a seat occupant sitting in the seat 44.
With reference to
As is best shown in
In the preferred embodiment of the anchor plate 90 shown in
In the preferred anchor plate embodiment shown in
The anchor plate 90 can include an outwardly extending seat position travel limiter 91 disposed between a pair of seat position adjustment direction aligned slide bearing receiving holes 138 that limit seat travel in a manner that prevents disengagement of the slide bearings 46 from the slide plate 42 during seat position adjustment. As is best shown in
By limiting seat travel in this manner, the limiter 91 also prevents each slide bearing 46 from reaching the keyhole section 102 of its corresponding slot 100 that is enlarged to enable insertion of the slide bearing 46 into the slot 100 during assembly. By the limiter 91 preventing each slide bearing 46 from reaching the keyhole slot section 102 during seat movement during position adjustment, the limiter 91 prevents disengagement of each slide bearing 46 from the slide plate 42 thereby preventing detachment from the slide plate 42.
As is best shown in
In one preferred embodiment, the stop 93 can be a self tapping hex socket head cap screw (not shown) that is removably threaded into an extruded boss of the limiter 91 that is carried by the anchor plate 90. In another preferred embodiment, the stop 93 can be a molded block (not shown) or the like that snaps onto a receiver of the limiter 91 carried by the anchor plate 90.
With reference to
The slide bearing retainer base 148 is larger than the hole 138 in the anchor plate 90 in which the slide bearing 46 seats and the head 150 is smaller than the hole 138 such that the retainer base 148 abuts against one side 139 of the plate 90 and the head 150 extends through the hole 138 outwardly beyond the other side 141 of the plate 90. In the preferred slide bearing embodiment shown in the drawings, the retainer base 148 includes at least one flange 160 that provides an abutment shoulder 161 that overlies and abuts against part of the adjacent side 139 of the anchor plate 90 with the flange 160 and shoulder 161 extending outwardly of at least a portion of the periphery of the hole 138 in which the slide bearing 46 is seated.
The slide bearing head 150 has a neck 202 adjacent the retainer base 148 that seats in the hole 138 and a slide plate engaging portion 203 extending outwardly beyond the anchor plate 90 in which least one and preferably a pair of slide plate receiving channels 165 are formed. The neck 202 has a cross sectional shape or contour that is substantially complementary to the non-circular hole 138 in the anchor plate 90 in which the slide bearing 46 seats thereby preventing slide bearing rotation. Such a non-circular hole 138 and substantially complementary non-circular neck 202 also helps properly orient the slide plate receiving channels 165 in a desired seat position adjustment direction, e.g., fore-aft direction, when the neck 202 of a seated slide bearing 46 is received in the hole 138. As is best shown in
Each slide plate receiving channel 165 extends in a seat position adjustment direction, e.g., fore-aft direction, when the slide bearing 46 is seated in a corresponding hole 138 in the anchor plate 90. When each slide bearing 46 is slidably engaged with the slide plate 42, part of the slide plate engaging portion 203 of the head 150 is received in one of the guide slots 100 formed in the plate 42 with at least one of the slot-defining side edges 164 of the plate 42 slidably received in a slide plate receiving channel 165 formed in the head 150. Where the head 150 has a pair of channels 165, each slot-defining side edge 164 is received in a corresponding one of the channels 165.
The slide bearing 46 is similar in construction to the slide bearing disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,887, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein, but which lacks snaps with the slide bearing 46 configured so a keeper 50 can engage the head 150 in anchoring the slide bearing 46 in place. Such a slide bearing 46 can similarly be formed by molding, such as by being injection molded of a plastic, such as nylon, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 66. Such a slide bearing 46 can also be formed of other types of plastics, including an acetal, such as DELRIN 100.
When used with a keeper 50, the slide bearing 46 and keeper 50 form a slide bearing assembly 218 that not only provides seat motion guiding slide bearing support during seat position adjustment but which also provides slide bearing support between the seat bottom 48 and slide plate 42. When the head 150 of the slide bearing 46 is received in a corresponding guide slot 100 in the slide plate 42, slidable contact between the head 150 and slot defining edges 164 provides seat motion guiding slide bearing support along a guide slot extending plane generally perpendicular to the slide plate 42 that bisects guide slot 100. When the keeper 50 is attached to the slide bearing head 150, it provides a generally horizontal slide bearing surface 146 between the seat bottom 48 and the slide plate 42 providing slide bearing support along a generally horizontal plane that is generally perpendicular to the guide slot plane.
With reference once again to
The neck 202 of the head 150 is generally rectangular in cross section and slightly smaller in size than the generally rectangular hole 138 in the anchor plate 90 in which the neck 202 is received during seating of the slide bearing 46 in the hole 138 thereby preventing slide bearing rotation In the preferred slide bearing embodiment shown in the drawings, each generally rectangular hole 138 in the anchor plate 90 is elongated in the direction of seat position adjustment, e.g., elongated in a fore-aft direction, with the neck 202 of each slide bearing 46 also elongated in the direction of seat position adjustment, e.g., elongated in a fore-aft direction, such that receipt of the neck 202 in the hole 138 when the slide bearing 46 is seated in the hole 138 desirably orients each slide plate receiving channel 165 in the direction of seat movement during seat position adjustment. As such, the head 150 can also be elongated in the direction of seat movement during seat position adjustment, such as depicted in
The slide plate engaging portion 203 of the slide bearing head 150 has a pair of sides 181 and 183 and ends 194 and 196 with a slide plate receiving channel 165 formed in each side 181 and 183 and a retainer engagement channel 200 formed in each end 194 and 196. While the retainer engagement channels 200 can be generally parallel to the slide plate receiving channels 165, a preferred slide bearing embodiment has the retainer engagement channels 200 oriented at an angle relative to the slide plate receiving channels 165. In the preferred slide bearing shown in the drawings, at least one and preferably both retainer engagement channels 200 are oriented generally perpendicular or generally transverse to at least one and preferably both slide plate receiving channels 165. When generally perpendicular oriented, a keeper 50 engaged with the head 150 of a slide bearing 46 will be generally perpendicular oriented relative to the guide slot 100 in which the head 150 is slidably received helping to prevent the keeper 50 from disengaging during seat position adjustment.
In the preferred slide bearing embodiment shown in the drawings, the slide plate receiving channels 165 are generally parallel to one another and formed in respective sides 181 and 183 of the head 150 that can also be generally parallel to one another. In the preferred slide bearing embodiment shown in the drawings, the retainer engagement channels 200 can be and preferably are also parallel to one another. The respective ends 194 and 196 in which each channel 200 is formed can and preferably are also generally parallel to one another.
Each slide plate receiving channel 165 can be elongate and defined by upper and lower shoulders 168 and 170 interconnected by a channel end wall 172 with the upper and lower shoulders 168 and 170 respectively overlying opposite sides 174 and 176 of the slide plate 42 when a corresponding one of the slot defining edges 164 of the plate 42 is received in the channel 165. The upper shoulder 168 is defined by an extension 201 of the neck 202 that extends outwardly beyond the anchor plate 90 when the slide bearing 46 is seated in hole 138 with the extension 201 also providing an abutment surface against which part of the keeper 50 abuts and/or engages during keeper attachment. The lower shoulder 170 is defined by a flange 175 extending along the bottom 151 of the slide bearing head 150. Each retainer engagement channel 200 can also be elongate and is defined by a channel end wall 208 interconnecting upper and lower shoulders 204 and 206 that overlie opposite sides 142 and 144 of the part of keeper 50, i.e., arms 180 and 182, received in the channel 200.
While the slide plate receiving channels 165 are disposed in a common plane, i.e., substantially coplanar, and the retainer engagement channels 200 are disposed in a common plane, i.e., substantially coplanar, the slide plate receiving channels 165 are not disposed in the same plane as the plane of the retainer engagement channels 200. In the preferred slide bearing embodiment shown in the drawings, the slide plate receiving channels 165 are disposed in a first plane that is generally parallel to a second plane in which the retainer engagement channels 200 are disposed. The retainer engagement channels 200 and the plane in which channels 200 are disposed are located closer to the retainer base 148 than the slide plate receiving channels 165 and the plane in which channels 165 lie in order to help position a keeper 50 received in channels 200 between the anchor plate 90 and the slide plate 42. In the preferred slide bearing embodiment shown in the drawings, the retainer engagement channels 200 are located close enough to the retainer base 148 such that the retainer base 148 overlies and abuts against one side 139 of the anchor plate 90 and the keeper 50 underlies and can abut against the other side 141 of the plate 90 substantially immovably anchoring the slide bearing 46 to the plate 90. Where the seat 44 has a seat cover 76 with a bottom panel 78, the keeper 50 captures the bottom panel 78 between the keeper 50 and anchor plate 90 functioning as a retainer, e.g., upholstery retainer, that helps hold the bottom panel 78 of the seat cover 76 against the plate 90. The slide plate receiving channels 165 are disposed between the retainer engagement channels 200 and the end 151 of the head 150 locating a slide plate 42 in slidable engagement with the slide bearing 46 outwardly of both the keeper 50 and the anchor plate 90.
To help minimize the overall height or profile of the seat position adjustment assembly 40, each slide plate receiving channel 165 intersects opposite ends of both retainer engagement channels 200 such that, conversely, each retainer engagement channel 200 intersects opposite ends of both slide plate receiving channels 165. As is best shown in
Such an intersecting channel configuration minimizes seat position adjustment assembly height or profile, which also lowers the seat index point (SIP) of the seat 44, by enabling a relatively thin keeper 50 engaging slide bearing head 150 to be disposed between the seat bottom 48 and slide plate 42, such as is depicted in
The keeper 50 engages the part 203 of the head 150 of the slide bearing 46 that extends outwardly from the seat bottom 48 in a manner that securely retains the slide bearing 46 in place substantially immovably anchoring the bearing 46 to the anchor plate 90. In the preferred keeper embodiment shown in the drawing figures, the keeper 50 is configured to frictionally engage the slide bearing head 150 along a plurality of sides of the head 150 in a manner that straddles the head 150. As is best shown in
The keeper 50 is configured to be received in at least one and preferably both retainer engagement channels 200 of the slide bearing 46 to secure the slide bearing 46 to the anchor plate 90 by helping to prevent the slide bearing 46 from being pushed out of the plate 90. Where a seat cushion 66 overlies the anchor plate 90, part of the cushion bottom 81 can also bear against the top 149 of the slide bearing 46 helping to hold the slide bearing 46 down. When the keeper 50 is slidably engaged with the head 150 of the slide bearing 46, it can wedge against the anchor plate 90 of the seat bottom 48 preventing withdrawal of the slide bearing 46 from the hole 138 in the anchor plate 90 while also helping to transfer and spread forces encountered by the slide bearing 46 to the anchor plate 90, and hence the seat bottom 48. Where the keeper 50 is also disposed in slidable contact with the slide plate 42, the keeper 50 also helps transfer forces, including at least some forces encountered by the slide bearing 46, to the slide plate 42.
The preferred embodiment of the keeper 50 is a generally U-shaped retainer clip 178 having a pair of spaced apart arms 180, 182 that extend outwardly from a beam 184 interconnecting the arms 180, 182 that can also function as a handle or grip 186 capable of being grasped and maneuvered to attach or remove the keeper 50. Keeper 50 is relatively thin having a pair of generally flat and generally planar outer surfaces 142 and 144 with whichever surface 144 facing toward the slide plate 42 functioning as a bearing surface 146. Keeper 50 is therefore of reversible construction because either one of its outer surfaces 142 and 144 can face toward the slide plate 42 and function as slide bearing surface 146.
The keeper 50 is formed of a relatively durable and generally rigid material, such as metal or plastic, and can be formed by molding, such as by injection molding or the like. Where made of metal, each keeper 50 can be stamped from a sheet of metal, such as a sheet made of steel, aluminum, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, each keeper 50 is made of plastic, such as nylon, like nylon 6 or nylon 66, or an acetal, such as DELRIN 100. Each keeper 50 is generally flat or planar and can function as a wedge including where each arm 180 and/or 182 frictionally engages one or both shoulders 204, 206 and/or end wall 208 of the retainer engagement channel 200 in which the arm 180, 182 is received.
With reference to
Each arm 180 and 182 has an inner edge 210 which can be substantially straight and which is generally smooth to facilitate slidable insertion of each arm 180 and 182 into a corresponding retainer engagement channel 200 in the slide bearing head 150 during attachment of the keeper 50 to the slide bearing 46. Each arm 180 and 182 can also include a snap 212 that engages part of the head 150 during attachment to help releasably yet securely retain the keeper 50 on the slide bearing 46. Such a snap 212 can be formed of a hook 214 integrally formed in the inner arm edge 210 at or adjacent the free end of each arm 180 and 182.
When the keeper 50 is attached, each arm 180 and 182 is received in a corresponding one of the retainer engagement channels 200 formed in opposite ends 194 and 196 of the slide bearing head 150 with the snap 212 of each arm 180 and 182 engaging one side 183 of the head 150. The inner edge 216 of the beam 184 is disposed alongside an opposite side 181 of the head 150. As is best shown in
The keeper 50 is advantageously quick and easy to attach to a slide bearing 46. During attachment, the keeper 50 is maneuvered relative to the slide bearing head 150 until each arm 180 and 182 is slidably received in a corresponding channel 200 before urging the keeper 50 toward the head 150 until the beam 184 stops against the abutment 201 on one side 181 and the snap 212 of each arm 180 and 182 clears the abutment 201 on the other side 183. Once each snap 212 clears adjacent abutment 201, the hook 214 of the snap 212 of each arm 180 and 182 releasably hooks against the adjacent abutment 201 preventing unintentional removal of the keeper 50.
The keeper 50 also is advantageously removable enabling relatively simple, quick and inexpensive servicing of the seat 44 to be performed. The keeper 50 is removably attached because the beam 184 can be grasped and pulled away from the slide bearing head 150 with enough force to cause the hook 214 of one or both arms 180 and 182 to cam along the adjacent abutment 201 spreading the arms 180 and 182 apart enough so the keeper 50 can be pulled completely free of the slide bearing head 150. One or both arms 180 and 182 can also flex or bend slightly during such application of keeper removal force to help facilitate removal.
With reference to
Such a keeper construction not only provides greater contact surface area with the anchor plate 90 (and/or with the seat bottom 48 where a cover or layer overlies the anchor plate 90) than between the retainer base 148 and anchor plate 90, it also functions as a spacer disposed between the seat bottom 48 and slide plate 42 having a generally flat or planar bearing surface 146 against which the slide plate 42 can slidably contact. Such a large contact surface area with the anchor plate 90 (and/or with the seat bottom 48 where a seat cover or layer overlies the anchor plate 90), helps the keeper 50 to more securely anchor the slide bearing 46 to the anchor plate 90. Such a large contact surface area also helps transmit and distribute forces encountered by the slide bearing 46 away from the slide bearing 46 and can help reduce forces transmitted by the slide plate 42 to the slide bearing 46.
Where the keeper 50 is disposed in slidable contact with the slide plate 42, such as shown in
With specific reference to
To help minimize profile height, the keeper 50 has a cross sectional thickness no greater than the width of the retainer engagement channel 200 where the retainer engagement channel width is defined as the distance between the upper and lower channel shoulders 204 and 206. With reference to
The slide plate 42 is also configured to minimize the profile or height of the seat position adjustment assembly 40 having a mounting section 59 between a pair of seat position adjustment direction extending slide bearing engaging flanges 96, e.g., fore-aft extending slide bearing flanges 96, each having at least one elongate seat position adjustment direction extending guide slot 100, e.g., fore-aft extending guide slot 100, formed therein that slidably receives the head 150 of a corresponding slide bearing 46 when the seat 44 is slidably coupled to the slide plate 42. The mounting section 59, e.g., mount, can be generally flat or planar such as is depicted in
In the preferred slide plate embodiment shown in
The slide plate 42 includes an offset 97 between each flange 96 and the mounting section 59 spacing the flanges 96 from the mounting section 59 providing enough clearance between the mounting section 59 and the seat bottom 48 to accommodate a seat position latch arrangement 52 that cooperates with both the anchor plate 90 and slide plate 42 enabling selectively releasable positioning of the seat 44 relative to mounting platform 45. The seat position latch arrangement 52 includes a pivotable latch handle 54 disposed between the anchor plate 90 and slide plate 42 that is biased by a biasing element, such as a coil spring 105, into releasable engagement with the slide plate 42 releasably locking the position of the seat 44 in a desired seat position. If desired, the latch handle 54 can pivotally engage the slide plate 42 and be urged by the spring 105 into releasable seat position locking engagement with the anchor plate 90 in another seat position latch arrangement embodiment.
With additional reference to
The pivotable guide coupling 110 of the latch handle 54 includes a generally L-shaped tongue 116 having a spacer 118 extending outwardly from the handle body 108 toward the anchor plate 90. The spacer 118 includes an outturned engagement lip 120 extending in a direction generally opposite to the handle body 108 that can be generally parallel to the handle body 108. The coupling 110 includes at least one guide tab 122 and preferably a pair of generally parallel guide tabs 122 transverse to spacer 118 that each extend outwardly from the handle body 108 toward the anchor plate 90.
Where the anchor plate 90 is covered by a seat cover 76, the cover 76 includes a latch handle seat window 114 exposing the latch handle seat 106 enabling attachment of the latch handle 54 to the anchor plate 90. The seat 106 includes a latch handle pivot slot 124 generally transverse to the seat position adjustment direction, e.g., fore-aft direction, that pivotally receives outturned lip 120 and part of spacer 118 in pivotally attaching the handle 54 to the anchor plate 90. The seat 106 also includes at least one latch handle guide slot 126 formed in the anchor plate 90 that is generally oriented in the seat position adjustment direction, e.g., fore-aft direction, which receives a guide tab 122 of the handle 54 when pivotally attached to the anchor plate 90. A preferred seat 106 has a pair of generally parallel guide slots 126 that receive a corresponding latch handle guide tab 122 constraining pivotal movement of the handle 54 relative to the anchor plate 90 toward or away from the plate 90 while transferring lateral forces encountered by the handle 54 to the plate 90 providing lateral latch handle support.
The latch handle seat 106 includes a spring land 128 disposed between the latch handle guide slots 126 alongside the latch handle pivot slot 124 capturing the spring 105 between the land 128 and the latch handle 54 when the handle 54 is pivotally attached to the anchor plate 90. A spring anchor 132, such as in the form of a rivet, can be used to fix one end of the spring 105 to a portion of the latch handle 54 between its guide tabs 122 with the other end of the spring 105 bearing against the spring land 128 when the handle 54 is pivotally engaged with the anchor plate 90.
To releasably engage the slide plate 42 to releasably retain the seat 44 in a desired seat adjustment position, the latch handle 54 has a plurality of spaced apart and generally parallel slide plate engaging teeth 134 extending outwardly in a direction opposite the guide tabs 122. As is best shown in
As is best shown in
In changing seat position, a seat occupant sitting in the seat 44 can reach down and lift the latch handle 54 upwardly disengaging its teeth 134 from the slide plate 42 enabling the seat 44 to be moved relative to the slide plate 42 between one of a plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three, seat positions. During seat movement, stop 93 limits seat movement in one seat position adjustment direction by abutting against one end of one of the guide slots 100 in the enlarged keyhole 102 of the slot 100 and the slide bearings 46 limit seat movement in an opposite seat position adjustment direction by abutting against an opposite end of each slot 100. When the seat 44 is moved to a desired position, the handle 54 is released causing the spring 105 to urge the teeth 134 into one of the plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three, of apertures 136a, 136b and 136c in the slide plate 42.
With reference to
During assembly of a seat position adjustment assembly 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention, a slide bearing 46 is inserted “head first” into each hole 138 in an anchor plate 90 that has been attached to the seat frame 62. The head 150 of each slide bearing 46 is inserted into its hole 138 until the retainer base 148 abuts against one side 139 of the anchor plate 90 and the head 150 extends outwardly from the hole 138 beyond the other side 141 of the plate 90.
Where the seat 44 includes a separate seat cushion, e.g., a foam seat cushion, the seat cushion 66 is assembled to the seat frame 62 with its channels 86 and 88 receiving and frictionally engaging corresponding frame tubes 82 and 84. When the cushion 66 is attached to the frame 62, its bottom 81 faces toward and can rest on the anchor plate 90 having clearance pockets 83 overlying the retainer base 148 of each slide bearing 46 mounted to the plate 90, such as is shown in
Where the seat 44 further includes a separate backrest cushion, e.g., a foam backrest cushion, the backrest cushion 70 is attached to the seat frame 62 in a similar manner with channels formed in the cushion 70 that receive and frictionally engage a corresponding frame tubes (not shown) of the frame 62. Where the seat 44 includes a seat cover 76, the cover 76 can be secured to the backrest cushion 70 and can include a form-fitting shroud 63 that fits over the seat cushion 66 having a bottom panel 78 overlapping the outside 141 of the anchor plate 90.
When all of the slide bearings 46 are seated in the anchor plate 90, a keeper 50 is removably attached to the head 150 of each slide bearing 46. In doing so, each keeper 50 is grasped and maneuvered so its arms 180 and 182 are received in a respective retainer engagement channel 200 of the head 150 of each slide bearing 46. Each keeper 50 is then urged toward the head 150 until its beam 184 contacts the abutment 201 on one side 181 or 183 of the head 150 and the hook 212 on each arm 180 and 182 each engages the abutment 201 on the other side 181 or 183 of the head 150.
When attached, each keeper 50 anchors the corresponding slide bearing 46 engaged by the keeper 50 to the anchor plate 90 with its arms 180 and 182 oriented generally transverse to the slide plate receiving channels 165 to prevent the keeper 50 from disengaging during seat position adjustment. Where the seat 44 includes a seat cover 76 with a bottom panel 78 overlapping the outside 141 of the anchor plate 90, each keeper 50 also functions as an upholstery retainer clip 178 that helps hold the bottom panel 78 against the outside 141 of the anchor plate 90.
In one embodiment, the seat cover 76 can include a form-fitting shroud 63 that fits over a seat cushion 66 disposed on the anchor plate 90 with the shroud 63 having a bottom panel 78 held in place against the anchor plate 90 by keepers 50 attached to slide bearings 46. In another embodiment, the keepers 50 anchor slide bearings 46 to an anchor plate 90 while also helping to hold a separate bottom panel 78 against the plate 90 before attaching the anchor plate 90 to part of the seat 44, such as by attaching the plate 90 to part of the seat frame 62, forming the seat bottom 48. If desired, one or more upholstery retainer clips 94 such as Christmas tree clips, can also be used between the keepers 50 to help hold the bottom panel 78 against the anchor plate 90.
Once the keepers 50 are attached, the seat 44 is maneuvered to insert the head 150 of each slide bearing 46 into the enlarged keyhole 102 of a corresponding guide slot 100 in the slide plate 42. When the head 150 each slide bearing 46 is received in the keyhole 102 of a corresponding slot 100, the seat 44 is then moved relative to the slide plate 42 to urge the head 150 of each slide bearing 46 along its corresponding guide slot 100 into slidable engagement with the slide plate 42 removably mounting the seat 44 to the slide plate 42. As the seat 44 is moved relative to the slide plate 42, the opposed edges 164 defining each slot 100 are slidably received in a corresponding slide plate receiving channel 165 of the head 150 of a respective slide bearing 46 causing the head 150 of each slide bearing 46 to slidably engage the slide plate 42.
Where the slide plate 42 is immovably fixed to a mounting platform 45 beforehand, the seat 44 can be removably mounted to the slide plate 42 without having to install fasteners from the seat bottom 48. During installation, the seat 44 is simply dropped onto the slide plate 42 and maneuvered to slidably engage the slide bearings 46 with the slide plate 42 before releasing the latch handle 54 so it releasably engages the slide plate 42 releasably locking the position of the seat 44.
Where equipped with a limiter 91, a stop 93 is removably attached to the limiter 91 in a manner that positions the stop 93 within one of the guide slots 100 between the head 150 of the slide bearing 46 received in the slot 100 and an end of the slot 100 that forms part of the slot keyhole 102. When the stop 93 is attached to the limiter 91 and disposed between head 150 and the end of the slot keyhole 102, abutment of the stop 93 against the end of the slot keyhole 102 prevents the head 150 of each slide bearing 46 from re-entering the keyhole 102 preventing detachment of the seat 44 from the slide plate 42.
A seat position adjustment assembly 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention advantageously employs non-metallic slide bearings 46 that do not rust removably anchored to the slide plate 90 by non-metallic keepers 50 that also do not rust. Such a non-rusting slide bearing assembly 218 advantageously helps prevent both the anchor plate 90 and the slide plate 42 from rusting by isolating and/or electrically insulating the plates 42 and 90 from one another. In addition, in contrast to conventional interlocking metallic seat slide assemblies, the plastic head 150 of each slide bearing 46 slidably received in a corresponding guide slot 100 formed in the slide plate 42 advantageously forms a self-cleaning seat position adjustment assembly 40 that prevents the accumulation of dirt and debris during use and operation.
Such a seat position adjustment assembly 40 is not only more economical than conventional interlocking metallic seat slide assemblies; it also is easier and more economical to service. Disassembly is not only easier, it is also faster with detachment of a seat 44 from the slide plate 42 only requiring removal of any stop 93 before the seat 44 is moved relative to the slide plate 42 until the head 150 of each slide bearing 46 reaches the keyhole section 102 of its respective slot 100 and then lifted upwardly from the slide plate 42. Seat removal can therefore advantageously be done without removing the slide plate 42. Removal or replacement of other parts of the seat 44, such as the seat cushion 66, the seat cover 76, e.g., bottom panel 78, one or more slide bearings 46, and/or frame 62, is also simple, quick and economical requiring removal of the latch handle 54 and each keeper 50.
When servicing is finished, the keepers 50 and latch handle 54 are reattached before the seat 44 is dropped down onto the slide plate 42 with its slide bearings 46 each in registry with the keyhole section 102 of a corresponding guide slot 100. The latch handle 54 is released and the seat 44 moved relative to the slide plate 42 until the head 150 of each slide bearing 46 is received in its respective guide slot 100 and the handle 54 engages the slide plate 42 before any stop 93 is reattached.
While the preferred embodiment of the seat position adjustment assembly 40 shown in the drawing figures is configured to permit selective adjustment of the position of the seat 44 in a fore-aft direction, it should be recognized that a seat position adjustment assembly 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention could be configured to allow selective adjustment of the position of the seat 44 in a different seat position adjustment direction. For example, a seat position adjustment assembly 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention could be configured to permit seat position adjustment in a direction generally perpendicular or transverse to the fore-aft direction or in a sideways direction, if desired.
Understandably, the present invention has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments and methods. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods which are within the scope of the present invention. Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/493,494, filed Jun. 11, 2012, issued Jan. 21, 2014 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,632,043, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/908,856, filed Mar. 5, 2008, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,887, issued Jun. 12, 2012.
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| Entry |
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| EP Communication Dated Jan. 28, 2015, in corresponding EP Application No. 06 739 499.9. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120318949 A1 | Dec 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11908856 | Mar 2008 | US |
| Child | 13493494 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13493494 | Jun 2012 | US |
| Child | 13599338 | US |
