Lead screw and gear box for use with a motorized adjustable seat back and exhibiting a nut and nylon spacer bushing in abutting engagement with a slotted catcher bracket for preventing end-play of the lead screw as well as buzz, squeak and rattle in tensile and compressive loading situations
US7188904B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60N2205/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A powered seat assembly for reducing end-play of an associated lead screw interconnecting a pivotally secured seat back to a motor gear box. A motor actuates the lead screw through an input to the motor gear box and in order to pivotally readjust the seat back. The seat assembly includes a base plate, the seat back pivotally securing to a forward location of the base plate, the motor gear box securing to a rearward location. A bracket secures to an intermediate location of the base plate, a slot defined in an extending portion of the bracket defining a passage therethrough for the lead screw. A spacer bushing is supported upon the lead screw and adheres against a face of the bracket opposite the pivotally secured seat back. The spacer bushing absorbs tensile loading forces applied axially along the lead screw and in a direction towards the seat back in order to prevent movement of the lead screw in and out of the motor gear box as well as preventing the occurrence of buzz, squeak and rattle noises accompanied by metal-to-metal contact within the assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.