Abstract:
A track release system for a vehicle seat includes a device for selectively engaging a track to prevent sliding movement of a vehicle seat, a cable coupled to the device, and a track release mechanism coupled to the cable for actuating the device. The track release mechanism includes a drive arm configured for movement between a first position and a second position. The drive arm is configured to cause the device to disengage the track when moved from the first position to the second position. The track release mechanism also includes a trigger arm configured for rotational movement and configured to cause the device to engage the track when the drive arm is in the second position. The trigger arm is configured to reset the track release system such that sliding movement of the vehicle seat is prevented when the drive arm is in the second position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/636,313 filed on Dec. 15, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle seats. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a manual track release that automatically resets. 
         [0003]    It is known to provide seats for vehicles (i.e., automobiles) that include seat backs that are able to be reclined by a user. Such seats may be configured for movement along a track in a fore and aft direction (e.g., forward towards the front of the vehicle and back towards the rear of the vehicle). 
         [0004]    In certain applications, a vehicle seat back may be configured to fold downward toward the seat base. For example, a rear seat in a truck or van may be rotated toward the seat base to provide a larger cargo area in the rear of the vehicle. Where the seat is configured for movement along a track, rotation of the seat back toward the seat base may enable free movement of the seat along the track (i.e., the rotation of the seat back may disengage a locking mechanism that secures the seat in place along the track, which in turn allows the folded seat to move freely along the track). However, in order to lock the folded seat in place relative to the track (i.e., to prevent free movement along the track), the user must manually lock the seat in place using, for example, a latching mechanism or the like. One disadvantage of such an arrangement is that locking the seat in place is relatively cumbersome and generally requires two-handed operation (e.g., one hand to move the seat and another to engage the locking mechanism). 
         [0005]    It would be advantageous to provide a vehicle seat that is configured for movement relative to a track in the folded position and which may be locked in place relatively easily and with less effort than is known with respect to conventional vehicle seats. It would also be advantageous to provide a track release mechanism for a vehicle seat that may be manually operated and that may manually reset itself to allow the user to relatively simply lock the seat in place along the track. It would be desirable to provide a vehicle seat that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features as will be apparent from the following description. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a track release system for a vehicle seat that includes a device for selectively engaging a track to prevent sliding movement of a vehicle seat, a cable coupled to the device, and a track release mechanism coupled to the cable for actuating the device. The track release mechanism includes a drive arm configured for movement between a first position and a second position. The drive arm is configured to cause the device to disengage the track when moved from the first position to the second position. The track release mechanism also includes a trigger arm configured for rotational movement and configured to cause the device to engage the track when the drive arm is in the second position. The trigger arm is configured to reset the track release system such that sliding movement of the vehicle seat is prevented when the drive arm is in the second position. 
         [0007]    Another exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a track release mechanism for a vehicle seat, with the vehicle seat coupled to a track system having a lower track secured to a vehicle and an upper track slidingly attached to the lower track. The track release mechanism includes a base comprising two substantially parallel arms, a center shaft extending between the arms of the base, a drive arm module provided on the center shaft between the arms of the base, and a cable coupled to the drive arm module and to a track latch device, the track latch device configured to prevent sliding movement of the vehicle seat by selectively engaging the lower track. The drive module includes (a) a drive arm configured to support a locking block and biasing member, with the drive arm positioned between a cable shell having a cable notch and an outer cable shell having a guide pin; (b) a reset spring provided on the center shaft and coupled to the cable shell; and (c) a trigger arm provided on the center shaft and defining a guide slot configured to receive the guide pin, with the trigger arm biased on the center shaft by a trigger spring. Folding the vehicle seat to a stowed position causes the track latch device to disengage the lower track to allow sliding movement of the vehicle seat. The trigger arm is configured to engage a tab provided on the lower track when the vehicle seat is moved along the track system in the stowed position to cause the latch device to engage the lower track and prevent movement of the vehicle seat along the track system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side plan view of a seat including a track release mechanism mounted in a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a partial side view of the seat illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective front view of the seat illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective front view of the seat illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partial front plan view of the seat illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a partial side plan view of the seat illustrated in  FIG. 1  and indicating one motion of the front seat support member. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective rear view of several components of a track release mechanism for a seat according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7B  is a plan view a portion of a track release mechanism according to another exemplary embodiment that includes a locking block and its biasing member aligned at an angle other than 90° to the center shaft. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective front view of several components of a track release mechanism for a seat according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a track release mechanism for a seat according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an exploded illustration of a track release mechanism for a seat according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 11A-11G  are side plan views of a track release mechanism for a seat according to an exemplary embodiment illustrating the operation of the track release mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle seat is provided that includes a track release mechanism that is relatively simple to operate and that may be reset by movement of the seat along the vehicle track. The track release mechanism may be configured to engage or interact with a feature provided, for example, along the track that may operate to reset the track release mechanism such that the vehicle seat may be locked in place at a predetermined location along the track without the need to manually reset the track release mechanism. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle seat  10  for use in a vehicle  5  and which includes a seat to cushion or base  11  and a seat back  13 . It should be noted that while a particular configuration is illustrated for the seat  10 , the various concepts described herein may be used in conjunction with seats having any of a variety of configurations, whether now known or that may be developed in the future. 
         [0022]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the seat cushion  11  and seat back  13  are independently, pivotably connected to seat support members. As shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 , the seat cushion  11  is coupled to a rear seat support member  12  and a front seat support member  15  (which is in turn coupled to a second front seat support member  17 ), and the seat back  13  is coupled to the rear seat support member  12 . Similar seat support members may be provided on both the left and right sides of the seat  10 ; for brevity, both seat support members on the right and left sides of the seat  10  will be referred to using identical reference numerals (e.g., a seat support member  12  may be provided at both the left and right rear of the seat  10 ). 
         [0023]    The seat back is configured for rotation between an upright position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a stored or folded position in which the seat back  13  is rotated toward the seat cushion  11 . The seat back  13 , seat support members  12 ,  15 , and  17 , and support frames can be composed of any suitable material such as metal (steel for example) or an engineered plastic of suitable strength (composite materials for example). 
         [0024]    The seat  10  can be either a manually adjustable seat or may be provided with electric motors to provide automated adjustment and electronic control of the seat  10 . Such manipulation can be accomplished by the use of a change of position mechanism coupled to the seat back  13  and the seat cushion  11 . It is also contemplated that two separate mechanisms may be used to provide flexibility in seat configuration. The change of position mechanism may provide for a back frame to move in proportional relation to the seat cushion  11  at a predetermined ratio. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the seat  10  is coupled by way of the seat support members  12 ,  15 , and  17  to a seat track system  16  that includes an upper track  18 , a lower track  20  and a track latch  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper track  18  may be configured for movement relative to the lower track  20 , which may be secured to the vehicle  5  using fasteners such as screws, bolts, or the like. Because the seat support members  12  and  17  are coupled to the upper track  18 , the seat  10  may be moved forward and backward in the vehicle  5  by moving the upper track  18  and attached vehicle seat  10  relative to the lower track  20 , which is fixed within the vehicle. 
         [0026]    A track release mechanism  40  is coupled to one of the seat support members. As shown in  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment, the track release mechanism  40  is coupled to the seat support member  17 . It should be understood, however, that the track release mechanism  40  can be mounted in any convenient location associated with the vehicle seat  10 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a track latching mechanism or device  30  (e.g., a track latch) is coupled to the upper track  18 , and includes an operating member  32  that includes a plurality of extensions or teeth  34  that are configured to engage apertures or holes (e.g., windows, openings, etc.) provided in the lower track  20 . The track latch  30  may be operated to move the extensions  34  between a first position in which they engage the apertures in the lower track  20  (to lock the upper track  18  in place relative to the lower track  20 ) and a second position in which they do not engage the apertures in the lower track  20  (to allow the upper track  18  to move freely relative to the lower track  20 ). It should be noted that the configuration of the operating member  32  and extensions may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and may include a greater or lesser number of extensions that illustrated in the accompanying FIGURES. 
         [0028]    The track release mechanism  40  is coupled to the track latch  30  by a cable or wire  42  (the track release mechanism  40 , track latch  3 . 0 , and cable  42  may collectively be referred to as a track release system). Movement of the cable  42  may act to operate the track latch  30  to cause the operating member  32  to either engage or disengage the apertures provided in the lower track  20 . In this manner, the track release mechanism  40  may be utilized to either lock the seat in position along the track system  16  or to unlock the seat  10  to allow it to move along the track system  16 . 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , coupled to one of the seat support members of the vehicle seat  10  (e.g., seat support member  15 ) is an extension  14  having a rod or pin  19  extending therefrom at substantially a right angle. According to other exemplary embodiments, the pin may extend from the seat support member  15  or from another structure. The pin  19  is configured to contact a portion of the track release mechanism  40  (e.g., a drive arm  58  of the track release mechanism  40 , as shown in  FIG. 6 ) when the seat back  13  is folded to a stowed position. Rotation of the seat back  13  causes the seat support member  15  to rotate downward toward the track system  16  as shown in  FIG. 6 , at which time the pin  19  will contact the arm  58 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 7-10  illustrate in greater detail the features of the track release mechanism  40 , with  FIG. 10  shown as an exploded view of the various components thereof. The track release mechanism  40  includes a base  44  configured with two substantially parallel arms or extensions  46 . The base  44  can be made of a metal such as steel or aluminum or can be made of a composite material of suitable strength. 
         [0031]    The base  44  supports the other components of the track release mechanism  40  and is used to couple the track release mechanism  40  to the vehicle seat  10  (e.g., the base  44  of the track release mechanism  40  is coupled to the upper track  18 , which in turn is coupled to the seat cushion  11  by way of seat support members  12 ,  15 , and  17 ). The base  44  can be coupled to the vehicle seat  10  by any convenient method such as welding, adhesives, or fasteners. 
         [0032]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the arms  46  of the base  44  each define a bore  48  (e.g., an aperture, hole, opening, etc.). The bores  48  are coaxial with each other, and a center shaft  50  is configured to extend through each bore  48 . The drive shaft  50  can be made of a metal such as steel or aluminum. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 7A , a drive module  52  is mounted on the center shaft  50  between the arms  46  of the base  44 . The drive module  52  includes a drive arm  58  configured to support a locking block  60  and a biasing member  62  (e.g., a compression spring, a leaf spring, or the like). The drive arm  58  is positioned between a cable shell  54  having a cable notch  56  and an outer cable shell  64  having a guide pin  66 . 
         [0034]    According to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 7A , the locking block  60  is aligned radially to the center shaft  50 . According to another exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 7B ; the locking block  60  is aligned at an angle other than 90° to the center shaft  50  (e.g., the locking block  60  may be pivotably connected to a base  63  and a biasing member  62  such as a spring may be provided to bias the locking block  60  away from the base  63 ). 
         [0035]    The center shaft  50  also supports a reset spring  68  mounted on the center shaft  50  and coupled to the cable shell  54 : A trigger arm  70  is mounted on the center shaft  50  and defines a guide slot  72  which is configured to receive the guide pin  66  of the outer cable  64 . The trigger arm  70  is biased on the center shaft  50  by a trigger spring  74 . The reset spring  68  and the trigger spring  74  can be torsion springs as illustrated in the figures any other type of suitable biasing member. 
         [0036]    A tab or extension  22  (also referred to as a profile or protrusion) is provided on the lower track  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the tab  22  is configured to engage the trigger arm  70  when the seat is moved along the track, as will be described in greater detail below. It should be noted that the size, shape, and configuration of the tab  22  may differ according to other exemplary embodiments from that shown in the accompanying FIGURES. 
         [0037]    The operation of the track release mechanism will be described with respect to  FIGS. 11A through 11G . For simplicity, the rotation of the arms will be described as “clockwise” or “counterclockwise” as those directions are shown in  FIGS. 11A through 11G . 
         [0038]      FIG. 11A  illustrates the track release mechanism  40  in a locked position. In this position, seat back  13  is in the upright position and the track latch  30  operates to lock the seat  10  in place such that the extensions  34  of the operating member  32  engage apertures in the track (as shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0039]    When the seat back  13  is folded down toward the seat cushion  11 , the pin  19  coupled to the seat support member  15  contacts the drive arm  58 , which rotates counterclockwise about the center shaft  50  (as shown in  FIG. 11B ). A corresponding rotation of the trigger arm  70  also results, such that the trigger arm  70  is oriented generally perpendicular or normal to the track (i.e., the trigger arm  70  is oriented in a generally vertical position). Additionally, the cable  42  is moved during the rotation to cause the track latch  30  to disengage the track (i.e., the extensions  34  of the operating member  32  disengage the apertures in the track to allow the seat to move freely along the track). 
         [0040]    After folding the seat back  13  downward, the seat  10  is moved forward along the track as shown in  FIG. 11C . When the vehicle seat  10  moves forward along the track system  16 , the, trigger arm  70  contacts the tab  22  that is coupled to the lower track  20 . The trigger arm  70  moves in a counter-clockwise direction as the trigger arm  70  moves over the tab  22 . The movement of the trigger arm  70  at this time is a free (uninhibited) swing (the pin  66  moves within the slot  72  as the trigger arm  70  is rotated counterclockwise). After the trigger arm  70  moves past the tab  22  as shown in  FIG. 11D , the trigger arm  70  swings back to its vertical orientation prior to its engagement with the tab  22 . 
         [0041]    When the vehicle seat  10  slides back along the track from the forward position, the trigger arm  70  contacts the tab  22  once more as shown in  FIG. 11E . The outer shell  64  is forced to rotate in a clockwise direction, which causes the locking block  60  to pull out of engagement with the cable shell  54 . That motion causes the track cable  42  to move the track latch  30  to cause the operating member  32  to lock the vehicle seat  10  in the seat track system  16 . That is, when the trigger arm  70  engages the tab  22  when it is moved back along the track, the track release mechanism is reset, along with the track latch  30 . As a result, the extensions  34  of the spring-loaded track latch  30  will engage the first set of openings in the lower track  20  they reach to lock the seat in place. 
         [0042]    In essence, such a configuration allows one-handed locking of a folded seat along a track. For example, the user may move the seat forward such that the trigger arm  70  moves past the tab  22 , after which the seat may be locked in place simply by moving the seat backward along the track until the trigger arm once more engages the tab  22  (and without the need to manually reset the track release mechanism  40  with a lever or the like). 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 11F , however, the track release mechanism  40  does not automatically reset itself once the trigger arm moves past the tab  22 . After moving past the tab  22 , the trigger arm  70  swings freely back toward the vertical position. However, the drive arm  58  is held by the pin  19  since the seat back  13  is still folded at this time. The track release mechanism  40  thus cannot reset until the pin  14  is released (moved off of the drive arm  58  when the seat back  13  is moved from the folded or stowed position to the upright seating position). However, the vehicle seat  10  can still be moved along the vehicle track system  16  by unlocking the vehicle track system  16  by operation of a remote handle  80  coupled to a release cable  82  which is coupled to the track latch  30 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 11G , when the pin  19  is moved off of the drive arm  58 , the track release mechanism  40  is reset to its original position. The reset spring  68  rotates the drive arm  58 , outer shell  654 , and trigger arm  70  back to their original position (as shown in  FIG. 11A ). The locking block  60  is returned to the locked position by the biasing member  62 , and the track release mechanism  40  is ready for the next cycle. 
         [0045]    As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a track release mechanism for a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat is coupled to a track system having a lower track secured to a vehicle, an upper track slidingly attached to the lower track, and a track latch configured to lock the seat with an operating member in a preselected position along the lower track. The track release mechanism includes a base configured with two substantial parallel arms, with each arm defining a bore with the bores coaxial. A center shaft is configured to engage in each bore. A drive arm module is mounted on a center shaft between the arms of the base. The drive module includes the drive arm configured to support a locking block and a biasing member. The drive arm is positioned between a cable shell having a cable notch and an outer cable shell having a guide pin. A reset spring is Mounted on the center shaft and coupled to the cable shell. A trigger arm is mounted on the center shaft in defining a guide slot configured to receive the guide pin. The trigger arm is biased on the center shaft by a trigger spring. A tab is coupled to the lower track and configured to move the trigger arm. A cable is coupled to the drive arm module and the track latch. The movement of the vehicle seat along the track system causes the track release mechanism to reset as a trigger arm being moved by the tab. Another embodiment of the track release mechanism includes a remote handle and release cable coupled to the track latch; wherein the remote handle is operated unlocking the track latch. 
         [0046]    There is also provided a method for automatic reset of a track release module coupled to a vehicle seat mounted in a vehicle on a track system. The vehicle seat includes a track latch and a seat support member having a mechanical arm (e.g., a pin coupled to a seat support member). The method comprises the steps of providing a cable of predetermined length and coupling one end of the cable to the track release module. Another end of the cable is coupled to the track latch, and the track release module moves from a tripped position to a reset position as the seat is moved from a forward position to a rear position along the track system. Another embodiment of the method includes the step of providing a remote handle and release cable coupled to the track latch, wherein the remote handle and release cable releases the track latch when the track release module is still in the tripped position. 
         [0047]    The foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate to seats or chairs particularly adapted for use in motor vehicles such as cars, SUV&#39;s, vans, trucks, busses and the like. It will be appreciated by those reviewing this disclosure, however, that the various exemplary embodiments described herein may also be applicable to seating used in aircrafts, railroad vehicles, nautical vehicles, and in other environments. Such seats may be configured as split seats or a bench-type seats, and may have any of a wide variety of configurations. 
         [0048]    For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components or the two components and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. 
         [0049]    It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the vehicle seats and track release mechanisms as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Additionally, while certain mechanical systems are described to move seat components to achieve certain results, other mechanisms (either manual or powered) could be substituted therefor (e.g., various mechanical equivalents may be substituted for the seat contours, including, but not limited to, fore-bar linkages, air or hydraulic cylinders, air bladders, rack and pinion systems, cans and cables, gears, etc.). Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions as expressed in the appended claims.