US3761730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic seat latch unlocking apparatus and circuit therefor
Assignee: Hi Ram Inc
•
Filing: 1972-07-10
•
Granted: 1973-09-25
•
Expires: 1992-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A solenoid having a pull-in coil and a hold-in coil is adapted to be mounted within the seat back of the front seat of a vehicle such that the plunger associated with the solenoid can be actuated to release the seat locking mechanism. As one of the doors of the vehicle is opened, the solenoid is actuated to unlock the seat-locking mechanism and maintain the mechanism unlocked to allow the seat backs to be moved forward. The pull-in coil is automatically actuated for a predetermined time sufficient to ensure the plunger has been moved to unlatch the locking mechanism after which the pull-in coil is deactuated. The hold-in coil is continuously actuated while the vehicle door is open.
Inventors
- 👤 T Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for automatically unlatching a seat back of a vehicle comprising: a locking mechanism adapted to be mounted within the seat back of a vehicle and which includes a release mechanism; a solenoid having a movable plunger adapted to be fitted within said seat back of said vehicle such that said movable plunger engages said release mechanism therein, said solenoid further comprising a pull-in coil and a hold-in coil; and control means for activating said pull-in coil by supplying current to said pull-in coil for a predetermined time to provide a pulling force on said plunger sufficient to unlatch said locking mechanism and then deactivating said pull-in coil while supplying current to said hold-in coil to provide a holding force on said movable plunger sufficient to hold said movable plunger in position to maintain said locking mechanism in its unlatched position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for automatically unlatching a seat back of a vehicle comprising: a locking mechanism adapted to be mounted within the seat back of a vehicle and which includes a release mechanism; a solenoid having a movable plunger adapted to be fitted within said seat back of said vehicle such that said movable plunger engages said release mechanism therein, said solenoid further comprising a pull-in coil and a hold-in coil; and control means for activating said pull-in coil by supplying current to said pull-in coil for a predetermined time to provide a pulling force on said plunger sufficient to unlatch said locking mechanism and then deactivating said pull-in coil while supplying current to said hold-in coil to provide a holding force on said movable plunger sufficient to hold said movable plunger in position to maintain said locking mechanism in its unlatched position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pull-in coil and said hold-in coil are formed from a single winding having terminals at either end thereof and having a tap terminal at a point between said end terminals, said pull-in coil being between one end terminal and said tap terminal, and said hold-in coil being between the other end terminal and said tap terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a source of operating potential and a time-delay relay coupled in series between Said pull-in coil and said source of operating potential for actuating said coil for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising means for actuating said control means when a door of said vehicle is opened.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said actuating means comprises a courtesy light switch mounted on said vehicle such that said switch is actuated when said vehicle door is opened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
A seat back release mechanism comprising: a vehicle having a releasable locking mechanism for locking a vehicle seat back in a predetermined position; a solenoid having a pull-in coil, a hold-in coil and a plunger, said plunger mechanically coupled to said locking mechanism such that when said plunger is moved by actuating said solenoid, said locking mechanism is unlocked thereby allowing said seat back to be moved; and a control circuit for applying current of a sufficient magnitude to said pull-in coil for a predetermined time, to apply a pulling force on said solenoid plunger sufficient to unlatch the releasable locking mechanism, said circuit additionally applying current to said hold-in coil sufficient to provide a lesser holding force to said plunger to maintain the locking mechanism in an unlocked position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
A seat back release mechanism comprising: a vehicle having a releasable locking mechanism for locking a vehicle seat back in a predetermined position; a solenoid having a pull-in coil, a hold-in coil and a plunger, said plunger mechanically coupled to said locking mechanism such that when said plunger is moved by actuating said solenoid, said locking mechanism is unlocked thereby allowing said seat back to be moved; and a control circuit for applying current of a sufficient magnitude to said pull-in coil for a predetermined time, to apply a pulling force on said solenoid plunger sufficient to unlatch the releasable locking mechanism, said circuit additionally applying current to said hold-in coil sufficient to provide a lesser holding force to said plunger to maintain the locking mechanism in an unlocked position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said vehicle includes an electrical switch operated by the opening of a door of said vehicle and said control circuit is coupled to said switch to be activated when said vehicle door is opened.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control circuit comprises a relay having a pair of contacts coupled in series between a source of operating potential and said pull-in coils, and a relay coil; a transistor having base, collector, and emitter terminals, said collector and emitter terminals coupled between said relay coil and said source of operating potential such that collector current in said transistor controls the closure state of said relay contacts; and time-delay means coupled to the base terminal of said transistor for controlling the conduction of said transistor such that said pull-in coil is activated for said predetermined time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said time-delay means comprises a resistor serially coupled to a capacitor, the combination coupled to said source of operating potential; and a second transistor having base, collector and emitter terminals, said collector terminal of said second transistor coupled to said base terminal of said transistor, said base terminal of said second transistor coupled to one terminal of said capacitor, and said emitter terminal of said second transistor coupled to the other terminal of said capacitor such that as said capacitor becomes charged, said second transistor conducts thereby causing said transistor to become nonconductive and said relay contacts to open thereby inactivating said pull-in coil after said predetermined time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3456164A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |