Patent ID: 7845732
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A vehicle armrest positioning assembly for supporting an armrest on a vehicle seat frame, comprising: a pivotal support arm for mounting within an armrest and having a support end for pivotally supporting the armrest about a pivotal axis on the vehicle seat frame to position the armrest with respect to the seat frame; an elongated adjuster including a housing mounted by the support arm, an elongated adjusting rod having one end supported by the housing and having an intermediate portion extending from the housing as well as having a distal end, the distal end of the adjusting rod cooperating with the seat frame to control the pivotal positioning of the armrest on the seat frame, a helical lock spring mounted within the housing and receiving the one end of the adjusting rod, the helical lock spring having a first end that is fixed to the housing and a second end that is movable with respect to the housing about the one end of the adjusting rod, the helical lock spring clamping about the one end of the adjusting rod to position the adjusting rod against movement inwardly or outwardly of the housing, and a release member mounted by the housing for rotation about the one end of the adjusting rod and having a connection to the second end of the helical lock spring; the adjuster housing including a bushing mounted on the support arm and having an opening through which the adjusting rod extends and is slidable, a sleeve mounted by the bushing and receiving the helical lock spring through which the adjusting rod extends, the first end of the helical lock spring being connected to the adjuster housing at the bushing, and the sleeve also receiving the release member to which the second end of the helical lock spring is connected; a bracket mounted on the support arm and having a mounting hole, the support arm and the bushing each also having a mounting hole, a pin extending through the mounting holes of the bracket, the support arm and the bushing to pivotally mount the bushing of the adjuster housing on the support arm, the bracket also having a flange which includes a pivot opening; and a release mechanism mounted on the support arm and having a release actuator for rotating the release member of the adjuster to move the second end of the helical lock spring and increase the diameter thereof so the adjusting rod can move inwardly or outwardly of the housing and thereby adjust the position of the armrest, the release mechanism including a pivotal connection having a pivot pin and also including a first class release lever having an intermediate portion pivotally mounted by the pivot pin on the bracket flange, and the release lever also having a first end that contacts the release member of the adjuster and a second end that is moved by the release actuator to thereby rotate the release member of the adjuster to move the second end of the lock spring and increase the diameter thereof so the adjusting rod can move inwardly or outwardly of the housing and adjust the position of the armrest.