Apparatus for positioning the backrest of a vehicle seat
US4615551A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 1984 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/214
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for positioning the backrest of a vehicle seat to facilitate an occupant's entry and exit from the vehicle. The apparatus includes a seat frame mounted on the floor of a vehicle and a backrest frame pivotally connected to the seat frame. A pawl member releasably engages the seat frame from teeth on the backrest frame and is controlled by an operating lever to adjust the pivotable position of the backrest. A support member slidably positions the seat frame along the vehicle and includes a pair of spaced lower rails and a pair of complimentary upper rails slidably mounted on the lower rails. A locking device mounted on the upper rail prevents sliding movement between the upper and lower rails. A cable means extending between the backrest and the locking device releases the locking device to enable sliding movement between the upper and lower rails when the backrest is pivoted beyond a predetermined position. The backrest, which is biased toward the front of the vehicle, cannot be pivoted back to its original position until a positioning lever engages a cam surface mounted on the lower rail to disengage a restricting arm engaged within a groove on the backrest.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.