Easy operational seat with dual direction torsion bar

A vehicle seat bar assembly having a seat with first and second engagement members. A rear seat bracket extends between the first and second engagement members of a seat. A torsion bar extends between the first and second engagement members and is operably engaged therewith. The torsion bar includes an intermediate bracket engagement portion and a first and second linear portion that extends between the first engagement member and the intermediate bracket engagement portion and the second engagement member and the intermediate bracket engagement portion. The torsion bar also includes a first and second distal end configured to engage the first and second engagement members, respectively, which induces a torsional resistance in the torsion bar when the seatback is at a fully reclined position and when the seatback is at a fully folded position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle seat bar assembly, and more particularly to an easy operational seat with a dual direction torsion bar for a vehicle seat bar assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spring assemblies are generally utilized in vehicles to assist in movement of seatbacks from reclining to folding flat or facilitating the seatback returning to its original position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seat bar assembly having a seat having first and second engagement members. A rear seat bracket extends between the first and second engagement members. A torsion bar extends between the first and second engagement members and is operably engaged therewith. The torsion bar includes an intermediate bracket engagement portion and first and second linear portions extending between the first engagement member and the intermediate bracket engagement portion and the second side member and the intermediate bracket engagement portion. The torsion bar also includes first and second distal ends configured to engage the first and second side members, respectively, which induces a torsional resistance in the torsion bar when the seatback is at a fully reclined position and when the seatback is at a fully folded position.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seat bar assembly having a seatback with a rear seat bracket extending between first and second engagement members of a seat. A torsion bar extends between and is engaged with the first and second engagement members such that a torsional resistance is induced when the seatback is in one of a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position relative to the seat.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seat bar assembly having a seat with first and second engagement members. A rear seat bracket extends between the first and second side members and a torsion bar extends between the first and second engagement members and is operably engaged therewith. The torsion bar includes an intermediate bracket engagement portion and first and second distal ends configured to engage the first and second engagement members, respectively.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method of making a seat bar assembly, that includes fixedly coupling a first and second distal end of a torsion bar to a first and second engagement member of a seat, respectively, and pivotally coupling an intermediate bracket engagement portion of the torsion bar to a rear seat bracket of a seatback to induce a torsional resistance in the torsion bar when the seatback is in one of a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position relative to the seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIGS. 1-2, and3A-3B, the reference numeral10generally designates a vehicle seat bar assembly including a first engagement member12aand a second engagement member12b. Engagement member12ais coupled to a first lower arm engagement14aand engagement member12bis coupled to a second lower arm engagement14b. Lower arm engagement14ais part of a first lower arm16aand lower arm engagement14bis part of a second lower arm16band lower arms16aand16bare typically disposed within a seat18of a vehicle seat assembly17that also includes a seatback20. The lower portion of seatback20is placed proximal to the seat18and includes a first side member22acoupled to lower arm engagement14avia a first upper arm23aand a second side member22bcoupled to lower arm engagement14bvia a second upper arm23b, and a rear seat bracket24that extends between side members22aand22band is typically molded to the same.

Vehicle seat bar assembly10also includes a torsion bar26that extends between engagement members12aand12band is operably engaged therewith. The torsion bar26includes an intermediate bracket engagement portion28that is elongate having a substantially U-shaped end and extending upwardly between a first and second linear portion30a,30bthat extend horizontally with respect to the seat18. Intermediate bracket engagement portion28is pivotally coupled to the rear seat bracket24via a sleeve32mounted to the rear seat bracket24such that at least a portion of intermediate bracket engagement portion28engages the sleeve30when seatback20is folded or reclined. Linear portions30aand30beach include a distal end34a,34b, respectively. Distal ends34aand34bare disposed to extend orthogonally outward with respect to linear portions30aand30band point in different directions with respect to one another. In addition, distal ends34aand34bare each coupled to a fastener36, which in turn couples distal ends34aand34bto engagement members12aand12b, respectively. In this manner, distal ends34aand34bare configured to engage engagement members12aand12b, respectively, such that a torsional resistance is induced in torsion bar26when the seatback20is at a fully reclined position and when the seatback20is at a fully folded position.

Referring now toFIG. 4, the vehicle seat bar assembly10is generally designed to be positioned between the seat18and the seatback20. Intermediate bracket engagement portion28is engaged to sleeve32and distal ends34aand34bare each inserted through an opening38formed in each side member22a,22b. Distal ends34aand34bare each fixedly engaged to their respective fasteners36, which in turn are fixedly engaged to engagement members12aand12b. Opening40ais formed in each engagement member12a,12band engagement members12aand12bare positioned adjacent to and between corresponding lower arm engagements14aand14bsuch that the opening40aof each engagement member12a,12bis aligned with a complimentary opening40bformed on each lower arm engagement14a,14b. Engagement members12aand12bare fixedly engaged to lower arm engagements14aand14bby screws42. Upper arms23aand23bare positioned adjacent to the outside of corresponding lower arm engagements14aand14band an opening40cthat complements openings40aand40bis formed in each upper arm23a,23b. Opening40cof each upper arm23a,23bis aligned with opening40aand40bof each corresponding lower arm engagement14a,14band upper arms23aand23bare each pivotally coupled to corresponding lower arm engagements14aand14bvia a pivoting post44that extends through openings40a,40b, and40cand is engaged to a washer46that prevents pivoting post44from slipping out of the openings40a,40b,40c. Additionally, upper arms23aand24bare fixedly engaged to corresponding side members22aand22bvia screws48.

Thus, in the embodiment ofFIG. 4, distal ends34aand34bare stationary during all stages of directional movement of the seatback20while the intermediate bracket engagement portion28pivots in conjunction with the seatback20due to being pivotally coupled to the rear seat bracket24via sleeve32. As a result, this causes linear portions30aand30bto twist in the direction of motion, thereby inducing some torsional resistance in the torsion bar26that biases the torsion bar26to a neutral position50, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 5A.

InFIGS. 5 and 5A, the torsion bar26is not typically experiencing torsional resistance and does not act on the seatback20. When the seatback20is placed in motion, however, the weight of the seatback20is sufficient to overcome the torsional resistance of the torsion bar26and drives the seatback20to one of a first and second predetermined position52,54, which correspond to a fully folded and fully reclined position, respectively.

When the seatback20is moved to the first predetermined position52, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 6A, linear portions30aand30bof torsion bar26are twisted in a forward direction as shown by arrow56. As a result, torsional resistance is induced in the torsion bar26. Specifically, intermediate bracket engagement portion28is acting on the sleeve32in the direction of arrow58to, at least partially, balance the weight of the seatback20. In this manner, with the help of the torsional resistance of the torsion bar26, a user can more easily pivot the seatback20to a different position such as the neutral position50or the second predetermined position54.

With particular reference toFIGS. 7 and 7A, the seatback20is shown fully reclined in the second predetermined position54. In predetermined position54, linear portions30aand30bof torsion bar26are twisted in a rearward direction as shown by arrow60, thereby inducing torsional resistance in the torsion bar26. Specifically, torsion bar26is acting on the sleeve32in the direction of arrow62to, at least partially, balance the weight of the seatback20. In this manner, with the help of the torsion resistance of the torsion bar26, a user can more easily pivot the seatback20to a different position such as the neutral position50.

Accordingly, a vehicle bar assembly10has been advantageously shown and described herein. The vehicle bar assembly10includes a torsion bar and the torsional resistance properties associated with the torsion bar may be utilized when pivoting a seatback relative to a seat. It is to be understood that the torsion bar may take on various characteristics. The characteristics of the torsion bar will dictate the shear and/or torsional resistance properties of the torsion bar and are determined by a variety of factors such as length, shape, and/or material, and should be considered alongside the properties of the vehicle seat assembly, for which the vehicle bar assembly is adapted to be used.