Patent · US Expired

Eccentric gear backlash take-up mechanism for seat latches

US5322346A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
13References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 19, 1993
Grant dateJun 21, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 19, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60N2/2352
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicular seat back recliner hinge comprises first and second hinged members that are mutually rotatably arranged about a common pivot. The first member has a gear rack arranged thereon which is adapted to be engaged by a pinion spur gear. The pinion spur gear is fixed on an adjacent ratchet wheel spur gear in mutually dependent rotatable relation about a common concentric shaft secured on a second hinged member. A selected one of the above-mentioned shaft and pivot are eccentrically mounted on a rotatable bushing arranged on a corresponding one of the members. The bushing is operable to selectively position the pinion gear and the rack in first mutually proximal and second mutually spaced positions. A locking pawl arranged on a second of the members is adapted to lockingly engaged with and unlockingly disengage from the ratchet wheel spur gear, and the locking pawl is operably positionable in selected first locking and second unlocking positions corresponding to concurrent first mutually proximal and second mutually spaced positions of the rack and pinion mentioned above. In this way, the backlash between the rack and pinion is reduced when the locking pawl, the ratchet wheel sp…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.