US4382630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination adjustment seat back hinge fitting
Assignee: Atwood Automotive Inc
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Filing: 1981-05-06
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Granted: 1983-05-10
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Expires: 2001-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A hinge fitting for adjustably connecting a seat and a back rest, especially for motor vehicles, in which a pair of hinge members pivotally connected to each other have means for gradually continuously adjusting the angle of the hinge members and the elements fixed thereto relative to each other and in which supplemental means are provided for quick adjustment to any approximate angular relation within the total range of seat back adjustment subject to gradual adjustment to any desired precise seat back position.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen H. Weston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/02; B60N2/22; B60N2/235; B60N2/2352
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A hinge fitting for adjustably connecting a seat and a back rest comprising a seat hinge member, a back rest hinge member, a pivotal connection between said members, means limiting a range of adjustment for the operative relation of said members between maximum forward and maximum rearward positions of said back rest hinge member, manually releasable toothed ratchet and pawl means for permitting quick adjustment to an approximate fixed operative relation within said range, and manually adjustable taumel means for gradually effecting a precise fixed operative relation at any desired position, said respective means including in combination means accommodating quick adjustment from either extremity of said range to any intermediate or other extremity position regardless of the prevailing taumel adjustment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A hinge fitting for adjustably connecting a seat and a back rest comprising a seat hinge member, a back rest hinge member, a pivotal connection between said members, means limiting a range of adjustment for the operative relation of said members between maximum forward and maximum rearward positions of said back rest hinge member, manually releasable toothed ratchet and pawl means for permitting quick adjustment to an approximate fixed operative relation within said range, and manually adjustable taumel means for gradually effecting a precise fixed operative relation at any desired position, said respective means including in combination means accommodating quick adjustment from either extremity of said range to any intermediate or other extremity position regardless of the prevailing taumel adjustment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 1 wherein said toothed ratchet means includes ratchet teeth around a 360° circular perimeter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 1 including fixed positive stop means on said seat hinge member limiting said range of adjustment at both forward and rearward extremities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 3 including means for reaching either of said positive stop extremities through either release of said toothed ratchet and pawl means or through said taumel means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 1 including releasable latch means permitting forward pivoting of said back rest hinge member to a rear seat passenger accommodating position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 5 including said forward pivoting of said back rest hinge member about said adjustment pivotal connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 5 wherein said toothed ratchet means includes ratchet teeth around a 360° circular perimeter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 1 including a supplemental pivotal connection for said back rest hinge member independently of said first named pivotal connection and adjustment of the back rest hinge member relative thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 6 including manually releasable latch means for controlling said forward back rest dumping.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 6 including inertia latch means responsive to gravity release when said vehicle is stationary for permitting forward tilting of said back rest.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 1 including a manual release lever pivoted on said pivotal connection for said hinge members actuating said pawl means to a release position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 1 including a manual release lever pivoted on said pivotal connection for said hinge members actuating said pawl means to a release position, said lever having both occupant hand and rear passenger foot accessible extremities.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 1 including an intermediate plate between said seat and back rest hinge members having a common pivotal connection and forming one element of said taumel adjustment means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 13 including a ratchet plate forming a second element of said taumel adjustment means as well as a toothed ratchet element for said ratchet and pawl means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 14 including a cylindrical eccentric pivotal mounting for said ratchet plate having a pivotal axis common with the pivotal axis of said seat bracket, said intermediate plate and said back rest hinge element having a common pivotal axis eccentric to said cylindrical pivot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 15 wherein said ratchet plate has ratchet teeth extending around its entire outer perimeter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hinge fitting as set forth in claim 15 wherein said ratchet plate has ratchet teeth extending around its entire outer perimeter as well as external taumel gear teeth.
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) | 1986-05-09 | 1986-11-08 | 1987-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-09 | 1990-11-08 | 1991-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-09 | 1994-11-08 | 1995-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |