US3602547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat back tilt control
Assignee: METEOR RES Ltd
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Filing: 1970-02-27
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1990-02-27
Abstract
Abstract The lower edge of a seat back rests on a fulcrum at the rear edge of a seat frame and has downwardly extending arms pivoted to crankpins journaled on the seat frame and the angular positions of which determine the tilt of the seat back. A cylinder fixed to the crankpins is embraced by a helical torsion spring having one end anchored to the frame and serving to lock the seat back, in an infinite number of positions, against rearward tilting. Manual means can selectively release the spring from the cylinder to permit tilting the seat back rearwardly.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul C Tabor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/22; B60N2/2213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A seat back tilt control mechanism comprising: a seat frame; a seat back having a lower edge portion resting loosely and tiltably on a fulcrum-defining rear portion of said seat frame for forward and rearward rocking movement; a downward extension on said seat back and having a lower end adjacent said seat frame; adjustable control means including a generally cylindrical rotary member on said seat frame and having a crankpin pivotally connected to said lower end; self-energizing friction means normally frictionally engaging said rotary member and being self-energizing to frictionally lock said rotary member against rotation in the one direction that would permit said seat back to tilt rearwardly but permitting forcible rotation thereof in the other direction; and selectively operable release means for releasing said selfenergizing friction means whereby said seat back may be tilted rearwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A seat back tilt control mechanism comprising: a seat frame; a seat back having a lower edge portion resting loosely and tiltably on a fulcrum-defining rear portion of said seat frame for forward and rearward rocking movement; a downward extension on said seat back and having a lower end adjacent said seat frame; adjustable control means including a generally cylindrical rotary member on said seat frame and having a crankpin pivotally connected to said lower end; self-energizing friction means normally frictionally engaging said rotary member and being self-energizing to frictionally lock said rotary member against rotation in the one direction that would permit said seat back to tilt rearwardly but permitting forcible rotation thereof in the other direction; and selectively operable release means for releasing said selfenergizing friction means whereby said seat back may be tilted rearwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A control mechanism as defined in claim 1 including return-spring means biasing said rotary member to rotate in a direction tending to tilt said seat back forwardly, said return-spring means being not sufficiently strong to overcome the normal frictional restraint provided by said self-energizing friction means preventing free rotation of said member in the other direction, whereby said return spring means tilts said seat back forwardly only upon operation of said release means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A control mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said self-energizing friction means comprises a helical torsion spring surrounding said member and being of a normal inner diameter less than that of said member; one end of said spring being fixed to said seat frame and other end thereof extending outwardly from said member and being free of securement to said member and frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A control mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said release means includes a movable element movable to swing the other end of said torsion spring to move said other end in a direction to unwind said torsion spring from said rotary member to release the normal frictional grip thereof on said rotary member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control mechanism as defined in claim 4 including yieldable means normally holding said release means free of engagement with said other end of said torsion spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A control mechanism as defined in claim 1 including cooperable positive stop means on said rotary member and said seat frame for limiting the rotary movement of said member to a predetermined angular range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A control mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said seat back is provided with one of said downward extensions at each lateral side thereof; said rotary member including a shaft portion extending laterally across said downward extensions, and an intermediate portion of said shaft being laterally offset from the axis thereof; said return-spring means being connected to said offset portion of said shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said fulcrum-defining portion is substantially rearward of said crankpin whereby said seat back may be manually swung forwardly about said crankpin through an angle greater than said predetermined angular range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control mechanism as defined in claim 1 including selectively releasable latch means normally holding said lower edge portion against upward separation from said fulcrum-defining portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |