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US20080231102A1 - Seat track assembly with load pins - Google Patents

Seat track assembly with load pins Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080231102A1
US20080231102A1 US12/052,576 US5257608A US2008231102A1 US 20080231102 A1 US20080231102 A1 US 20080231102A1 US 5257608 A US5257608 A US 5257608A US 2008231102 A1 US2008231102 A1 US 2008231102A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
track
mounting plates
pair
rearward
seat mounting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/052,576
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English (en)
Inventor
Paul A. Elio
Hari Sankara Iyer
Robert E. Glaspie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US12/052,576 priority Critical patent/US20080231102A1/en
Publication of US20080231102A1 publication Critical patent/US20080231102A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/07—Slide construction
    • B60N2/0722—Constructive details
    • B60N2/073—Reinforcement members preventing slide dislocation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to vehicular seating devices.
  • the present invention relates to track mounted seats for adjustment or movement.
  • the present invention concerns adjustable track mechanisms for vehicular seats.
  • Vehicular seating devices generally include a seat bottom and a seat back (referred to hereinafter collectively as a “seat”) attached together either in a fixed or an adjustable position.
  • a seat includes automobiles, buses, trucks, airplanes, and the like.
  • One or more of the seating devices are generally mounted on the floor of the vehicle, depending upon the type of vehicle, by tracks that allow forward and rearward adjustment or movement
  • the tracks include longitudinally (i.e. forward and rearward) extending sets of tracks attached to opposite sides of the seat, hereinafter referred to as inboard and outboard tracks.
  • Each set of tracks includes an inner or lower track typically attached to the floor and an upper or outer track that is typically coupled to the seat.
  • the outer track is constructed to at least partially surround the inner track and to be reciprocally movable along the inner track by employing some type of seat adjustment mechanism.
  • the outer track In previous tracks of this type, the outer track needs to be sufficiently strong to prevent failure.
  • the outer track is peeled from the inner track (deformation and disengagement of the outer track from the inner track) upon the application of substantial forces.
  • Substantial forces arise from events such as collisions wherein an individual sitting in the seat is thrown against the seat back in a rear end collision, or against a restraining device in a front end collision. The forces generated by these events are transmitted through the seat to the tracks. If the force is great enough, failure occurs, with undesirable results to the occupant.
  • the outer track is fabricated of heavier, thicker material.
  • the problem with simply increasing the strength of the outer track to any desired level is the resulting compliance issues. Greater strength results in inner compliance impairing the ability of the vehicle manufacturer to install the tracks and adversely affecting the movement of the outer rail on the inner rail. Thus, a compromise must be achieved between strength and compliance.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vehicular seat track assembly with high moment strength and a design that substantially reduces or eliminates peal.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vehicular seat track assembly that does not require heavy, thick upper tracks and does not impair the ability of vehicle manufacturers to install the tracks.
  • an assembly for mounting a seat on a track in a vehicle including inboard and outboard parallel spaced apart track portions with each track portion including a lower track affixed to the vehicle and an upper track at least partially enclosing the lower track and reciprocally movable therealong.
  • the assembly includes a pair of seat mounting plates associated with each inboard and outboard track portion with each pair including parallel spaced apart plates affixed to the seat and formed to partially enclose the associated track portion.
  • a set of load pins is associated with each pair of seat mounting plates and extends between the associated seat mounting plates with one load pin of the set positioned below the lower track and another load pin of the set positioned above the upper track.
  • the set of load pins includes a pair of rearward load pins and a pair of forward load pins.
  • the pair of rearward load pins includes a first rearward load pin positioned below the lower track proximate a forward end of the associated seat mounting plates and a second rearward load pin positioned above the upper track proximate a rearward end of the associated seat mounting plates and the pair of forward load pins includes a first forward load pin positioned below the lower track proximate a rearward end of the associated seat mounting plates and a second forward load pin positioned above the upper track proximate a forward end of the associated seat mounting plates.
  • the second rearward load pin and the second forward load pin extend through an upwardly extending portion of the upper track and at least partially support the seat.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat frame including seat track adjustment apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a single adjustable seat track with load pins according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the track mechanism of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a seat 10 (without padding, etc. for an improved view) of a seat mechanism for use in vehicles or the like.
  • Seat 10 is coupled to a seat supporting track assembly 12 .
  • Track assembly 12 has an inboard portion 13 and an outboard portion 14 .
  • portions 13 and 14 are substantially identical with regard to the construction and operation of the present invention, only one (outboard portion 14 ) will be described in detail.
  • Outboard portion 14 includes an inner track 15 (lower track), typically coupled to a floor of the vehicle, and an outer track 16 (upper track), typically coupled to seat 10 .
  • Outer track 16 is constructed to be reciprocally movable along inner track 15 by employing a seat adjustment mechanism 18 . Reciprocal movement of outer track 16 and the use of adjustment mechanism 18 in combination with track assembly 12 permits adjustment of seat 10 and outer track 16 along inner track 15 .
  • the adjustment mechanism whether manual or motorized, can be substantially any mechanism known to those skilled in the art such as provided by a movable rod interlocking in one of a series of linearly displaced holes, a detent type arrangement, comb style mechanism, or an adjustment mechanism as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,457 entitled “Continuous Seat Adjustment Mechanism”, issued 18 May 2004, herein incorporated by reference and used in the preferred embodiment.
  • outer track 16 rides on and encloses a substantial portion of inner track 15 for relative longitudinal movement therealong.
  • the outer track needs to be sufficiently strong to prevent failure.
  • the outer track is peeled from the inner track (deformation and disengagement of the outer track from the inner track) upon the application of substantial forces.
  • Substantial forces arise from events such as collisions wherein an individual sitting in the seat is thrown against the seat back in a rear end collision, or against a restraining device in a front end collision. The forces generated by these events are transmitted through the seat to the tracks. If the force is great enough, failure occurs, with undesirable results to the occupant.
  • the outer track is fabricated of heavier, thicker material.
  • the problem with simply increasing the strength of the outer track to any desired level is the resulting compliance issues. Greater strength results in inner compliance impairing the ability of the vehicle manufacturer to install the tracks and adversely affecting the movement of the outer rail on the inner rail. Thus, a compromise must be achieved between strength and compliance.
  • outer track 16 is not structural, that is, it does not receive the forces from an event such as a collision, and therefore will not fail.
  • Outer track 16 simply acts as a guide on inner track 15 and supports adjustment mechanism 18 .
  • a pair of seat mounting plates, 22 and 24 positioned in parallel spaced apart orientation on opposing sides of outboard portion 14 of track assembly 12 , is positioned so as to substantially overlie and enclose a portion of outer track 16 .
  • Seat mounting plates 22 and 24 are further constructed to mount adjustment mechanism 18 and support the seat.
  • seat mounting plates 22 and 24 have a forward end 25 (a direction toward the front of the vehicle on which they are mounted) and a rearward end 26 (a direction toward the rear of the vehicle).
  • each seat mounting plate 22 and 24 has a lower portion 23 and an upper portion 27 with the upper portions 23 offset toward each other to substantially form a channel between lower portions 27 that receives and encloses upper rail 16 .
  • Upper portions 27 are formed to receive and support the seat bottom and back.
  • Seat mounting plates 22 and 24 may be at least partially mounted and supported on portion 14 of track assembly 12 by load pins extending between lower portions 23 . It will be understood that mounting plates 22 and 24 may be attached to upper rail 16 in a variety if different configurations and the load pins may or may not be included in the actual mounting.
  • upper rail 16 includes front and rear laterally spaced apart, upwardly extending pairs of ears 17 and 19 , respectively, positioned to receive therethrough load pins, as explained in more detail below.
  • a set of rearward load pins 28 and 29 extend laterally between seat mounting plates 22 and 24 with load pin 28 positioned above outer track 16 and extending through ears 19 , proximate rearward end 26 , and load pin 29 positioned under inner track 15 , proximate forward end 25 .
  • This arrangement results in load pins 28 and 29 absorbing forces from rearward loading.
  • rearward loading occurs when an occupant of the seat is forced rearwardly against the seat back, such as in a rear end collision. The rearward loading tends to rotate the seat in a clockwise or rearward direction which is prevented by load pin 28 positioned above portion 14 of track assembly 12 and load pin 29 positioned below portion 14 of track assembly 12 .
  • Another set of forward load pins 30 and 32 can be optionally employed in any specific application, particularly when there is a potential for a front loading force to be applied to the seat back.
  • load pins 30 and 32 aid in balancing the seat during normal usage.
  • a front loading force can occur when a restraint device such as a seatbelt is at least partially anchored to the seat back and a front end collision or the like occurs.
  • Load pins 30 and 32 extend laterally between seat mounting plates 22 and 24 with load pin 32 positioned above outer track 16 and extending through ears 17 , proximate forward end 25 , and load pin 30 positioned under inner track 15 , proximate rearward end 26 .
  • forward loading occurs when an occupant of the seat is forced forwardly against a restraint device at least partially anchored to the seat back, such as in a front end collision.
  • the forward loading tends to rotate the seat in a counterclockwise or forward direction which is prevented by load pin 32 positioned above portion 14 of track assembly 12 and load pin 30 positioned below portion 14 of track assembly 12 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
US12/052,576 2007-03-20 2008-03-20 Seat track assembly with load pins Abandoned US20080231102A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/052,576 US20080231102A1 (en) 2007-03-20 2008-03-20 Seat track assembly with load pins

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US89580007P 2007-03-20 2007-03-20
US12/052,576 US20080231102A1 (en) 2007-03-20 2008-03-20 Seat track assembly with load pins

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080231102A1 true US20080231102A1 (en) 2008-09-25

Family

ID=39766470

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/052,576 Abandoned US20080231102A1 (en) 2007-03-20 2008-03-20 Seat track assembly with load pins

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20080231102A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008116112A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100253123A1 (en) * 2009-04-01 2010-10-07 E.V.S. Ltd. Vehicle Seat Assembly
US20150175041A1 (en) * 2012-07-31 2015-06-25 Johnson Controls Gmbh Unlocking unit for a vehicle seat, and vehicle seat

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2292718A (en) * 1939-05-15 1942-08-11 Ryerson & Haynes Inc Seat adjustment structure
US3507472A (en) * 1967-05-16 1970-04-21 Howell Ind Inc Seat mounting with telescopically arranged slide means
US4154422A (en) * 1976-12-29 1979-05-15 Keiper Automobiltechnik Gmbh & Co Kg Adjustable and automatically locking motor-vehicle seat mounting assembly
US4381096A (en) * 1980-07-30 1983-04-26 Rockwell International Corporation Seat positioner
US4969621A (en) * 1988-05-04 1990-11-13 Keiper Recaro Gmbh & Co. Apparatus for adjusting seats in motor vehicles
US5950978A (en) * 1996-11-12 1999-09-14 Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd. Power seat slide device for motor vehicle
US6070938A (en) * 1998-06-05 2000-06-06 Elio Engineering Inc. Adjustable support apparatus and architecture for adjusting support apparatus
US6312052B1 (en) * 1999-01-25 2001-11-06 Elio Engineering Inc. Adjustment mechanism
US6736457B2 (en) * 2002-06-07 2004-05-18 Elio Engineering Inc. Continuous seat adjustment mechanism

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3111343B2 (ja) * 1995-02-28 2000-11-20 池田物産株式会社 座席支持装置
US5711577A (en) * 1995-12-01 1998-01-27 Fisher Dynamics Corporation Pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat
US6000757A (en) * 1997-08-14 1999-12-14 Track Corp. Vehicle seat adjuster
US6227619B1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2001-05-08 Daimlerchrysler Corporation Seat riser fold and tumble mechanism with rollers and skid plate

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2292718A (en) * 1939-05-15 1942-08-11 Ryerson & Haynes Inc Seat adjustment structure
US3507472A (en) * 1967-05-16 1970-04-21 Howell Ind Inc Seat mounting with telescopically arranged slide means
US4154422A (en) * 1976-12-29 1979-05-15 Keiper Automobiltechnik Gmbh & Co Kg Adjustable and automatically locking motor-vehicle seat mounting assembly
US4381096A (en) * 1980-07-30 1983-04-26 Rockwell International Corporation Seat positioner
US4969621A (en) * 1988-05-04 1990-11-13 Keiper Recaro Gmbh & Co. Apparatus for adjusting seats in motor vehicles
US5950978A (en) * 1996-11-12 1999-09-14 Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd. Power seat slide device for motor vehicle
US6070938A (en) * 1998-06-05 2000-06-06 Elio Engineering Inc. Adjustable support apparatus and architecture for adjusting support apparatus
US6330994B1 (en) * 1998-06-05 2001-12-18 Elio Engineering Adjustable support apparatus and architecture for adjusting support apparatus
US6312052B1 (en) * 1999-01-25 2001-11-06 Elio Engineering Inc. Adjustment mechanism
US6736457B2 (en) * 2002-06-07 2004-05-18 Elio Engineering Inc. Continuous seat adjustment mechanism

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100253123A1 (en) * 2009-04-01 2010-10-07 E.V.S. Ltd. Vehicle Seat Assembly
US8998326B2 (en) 2009-04-01 2015-04-07 E.V.S. Ltd. Vehicle seat assembly
US9004586B2 (en) 2009-04-01 2015-04-14 E.V.S. Ltd. Vehicle seat assembly
US20150175041A1 (en) * 2012-07-31 2015-06-25 Johnson Controls Gmbh Unlocking unit for a vehicle seat, and vehicle seat
US9440565B2 (en) * 2012-07-31 2016-09-13 Johnson Controls Gmbh Unlocking unit for a vehicle seat, and vehicle seat

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008116112A1 (fr) 2008-09-25

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STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION