Patent ID: 7165813
Filing Date: 2007-01-23
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A recliner assembly for use with a seat having a seat cushion and a seat back pivotal between a plurality of reclined positions with respect to the seat cushion, the recliner assembly comprising: a fixed plate adapted to be secured to the seat cushion; a mobile plate adapted to be secured to the seat back, the mobile plate coupled to the fixed plate for providing pivotal movement of the seat back through the plurality of reclined positions, the mobile plate including an annular rim defining an axis and a plurality of teeth extending along the annular rim; a plurality of sectors each having a rack of teeth coupled between the fixed and mobile plates, each sector movable between a locked condition having the rack of teeth engaged with the plurality of teeth of the mobile plate for maintaining the seat back in any of the plurality of reclined positions and an unlocked condition having the rack of teeth disengaged from the plurality of teeth of the mobile plate for allowing selective adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion; a cam extending about the axis and selectively engagable with each sector and rotatably supported between the fixed and mobile plates for moving each sector between the locked and unlocked conditions in response to rotation of the cam, the cam radially movable relative to each sector for preventing binding of the sectors during movement between the locked and unlocked conditions; and wherein the rack of teeth of at least one sector extends between opposing radially ends of the sector and wherein individual teeth at the ends of the sector are shorter radially compared to adjacent teeth between the ends of the rack of teeth.