US3788698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat recline mechanism
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1972-05-08
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A seat recline mechanism in which a fixed toothed sector connected to a seat back is engaged by a movable toothed locking member mounted on a mounting plate connected to a seat cushion. The teeth of the locking member are of substantially the same pitch as those of the fixed tooth sector and are positioned on an arc having a center of curvature outside the pivotal axes of the sector and the locking member.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman W Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/22; B60N2/235; B60N2/2352
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A seat recline mechanism having: a toothed sector fixed to a seat back mounting plate adapted to be connected to a seat back, a seat cushion mounting plate adapted to be connected to a seat cushion, pivot means pivotally mounting the sector and the seat back mounting plate on the seat cushion mounting plate, a toothed locking member, support means mounting the toothed locking member for pivotal and bodily shiftable movement on the seat cushion mounting plate, the toothed locking member being manually engaged with the sector and being pivotal about an axis substantially parallel to the pivotal axis of the sector, and a releasing device operable to move the pivotal axes of the sector and locking member apart to disengage the teeth of the sector and the teeth of the locking member and permit angular adjustment of the seat back mounting plate relative to the seat cushion mounting plate, wherein the improvement comprises the teeth of the locking member being of substantially the same pitch as those of the sector and positioned on an arc having a center of curvature outside the pivotal axes of the sector and the locking member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A seat recline mechanism having: a toothed sector fixed to a seat back mounting plate adapted to be connected to a seat back, a seat cushion mounting plate adapted to be connected to a seat cushion, pivot means pivotally mounting the sector and the seat back mounting plate on the seat cushion mounting plate, a toothed locking member, support means mounting the toothed locking member for pivotal and bodily shiftable movement on the seat cushion mounting plate, the toothed locking member being manually engaged with the sector and being pivotal about an axis substantially parallel to the pivotal axis of the sector, and a releasing device operable to move the pivotal axes of the sector and locking member apart to disengage the teeth of the sector and the teeth of the locking member and permit angular adjustment of the seat back mounting plate relative to the seat cushion mounting plate, wherein the improvement comprises the teeth of the locking member being of substantially the same pitch as those of the sector and positioned on an arc having a center of curvature outside the pivotal axes of the sector and the locking member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A seat recline mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which: a spring means urges the locking member towards an angular position in which its arcuate toothed portion is aligned for meshing engagement with the sector teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A seat recline mechanism as claimed in claim 2, in which: the locking member is mounted on an eccentric hub which is angularly movable to bring the locking member into and out of engagement with the sector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
183 words
A seat recline mechanism having: a toothed sector fixed to a seat back mounting plate adapted to be connected to a seat back, a seat cushion mounting plate adapted to be connected to a seat cushion, pivot means pivotally mounting the sector and the seat back mounting plate on the seat cushion mounting plate, a locking member having an arcuate toothed portion, support means mounting the toothed locking member for pivotal and bodily shiftable movement on the seat cushion mounting plate, the toothed locking member being manually engaged with the sector and being pivotal about an axis substantially parallel to the pivotal axis of the sector, and a releasing device operable to move the pivotal axes of the sector and locking member in a direction to disengage the teeth of the locking member from the teeth of the sector to permit angular adjustment of the seat back mounting plate relative to the seat cushion mounting plate, wherein the improvement comprises: the arcuate toothed portion of the locking member being concave with a radius of curvature greater than the radius of the toothed sector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
A seat recline mechanism having: a toothed sector fixed to a seat back mounting plate adapted to be connected to a seat back, a seat cushion mounting plate adapted to be connected to a seat cushion, pivot means pivotally mounting the sector and the seat back mounting plate on the seat cushion mounting plate, a locking member having an arcuate toothed portion, support means mounting the toothed locking member for pivotal and bodily shiftable movement on the seat cushion mounting plate, the toothed locking member being manually engaged with the sector and being pivotal about an axis substantially parallel to the pivotal axis of the sector, and a releasing device operable to move the pivotal axes of the sector and locking member in a direction to disengage the teeth of the locking member from the teeth of the sector to permit angular adjustment of the seat back mounting plate relative to the seat cushion mounting plate, wherein the improvement comprises: the arcuate toothed portion of the locking member being concave with a radius of curvature greater than the radius of the toothed sector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A seat recline mechanism as claimed in claim 4, in which: the locking member is mounted on an eccentric hub which is angularly movable to bring the locking member into and out of engagement with the sector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |