Pivot pin retainer mechanism

A vehicle seat assembly 12 having a bracket assembly, the vehicle seat assembly 12 having a first seat back 22 having a seat frame member, and a second seat back 24 having a seat frame member, the bracket assembly having a first bracket 44 coupled to the first seat back 22, preferably the seat frame member, the first bracket 44 having an aperture 42, a second bracket 28 coupled to the second seat back 24, preferably the seat frame member, the second bracket 24 having a pivot pin 32 for insertion into the aperture 42 of the first bracket 22. The vehicle seat assembly 12 also including a retainer mechanism 34 for retaining the pivot pin 32 within the aperture 42 of the first bracket 22, the retainer mechanism 34 having a first bushing 40, a second bushing 36 and a retainer member 38.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of vehicle seating. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a pivot pin coupling for vehicle seat assemblies.

Conventional pivot pin couplings require significant amount of space to be installed and are typically difficult to manually install because of their complexity. Moreover, conventional pivot pin couplings require a customer to use a number of fasteners to assemble the vehicle seat which further adds to their complexity and cost.

There remains a significant need to provide a pivot pin coupling that occupies less space, can be more easily installed, and allows the seat row to be assembled without the use of fasteners.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, there is disclosed a vehicle seat having a first seat back having a seat frame member, a second seat back having a seat frame member and a bracket assembly adapted for connecting the first and second seat backs to the vehicle and for supporting the vehicle seat backs to pivot with respect to the vehicle. The bracket assembly of the disclosed exemplary embodiment preferably includes a first bracket having at least one aperture, the first bracket being adapted to be coupled to the seat frame member of the first seat back, and a second bracket adapted for being coupled to the seat frame member of the second seat back, the second bracket having a pivot pin for insertion into the at least one aperture of the first bracket. The bracket assembly, and a vehicle seat including the bracket assembly of the disclosed embodiments, further preferably include a retainer mechanism for retaining the pivot pin within the aperture of the first bracket, the retainer mechanism having a first bushing, a second bushing and a retainer member.

In another exemplary embodiment, a bracket assembly for supporting a pair of vehicle seat back frames is disclosed, the pivot bracket assembly including a bracket portion for connection to the vehicle, the bracket portion having a first pivot pin portion for connection with one seat back frame and a second pivot pin portion for connection with the other seat back frame; and wherein the first pivot pin portion is adapted to be coupled to the one seat back frame by a first bushing coupled with the first pivot pin and between a first side portion of the bracket and a first side portion of the one seat back frame and the second pivot pin portion is adapted to be coupled to the other seat back frame by a fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures and in particular toFIG. 1, a vehicle10is shown according an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle10includes one or more vehicle seats12provided for an occupant of the vehicle10. While the vehicle10shown is a 4-door sedan, it should be understood that the seat12may be used in a mini-van, sport utility vehicle or any other means in or by which someone travels or something is carried or conveyed for any market or application including everything from office seating and transportation to planes and space travel and everything in between. The vehicle seat12shown includes a seat back14and a seat base16. One exemplary embodiment of a seat structure12is shown inFIG. 2. The seat12may include a head restraint18and a seat base portion16. The head restraint18extends upward from the seat back14and is configured to restrain the head of an occupant during an impact. The seat base portion16may be configured to allow the seat12to be selectively positioned (manually or motor driven) relative to the vehicle interior.

FIG. 3A and 3Bshows a vehicle seat back assembly and more particularly, a 60-40 split seat back assembly20, according to an exemplary embodiment. The split seat back assembly20includes a first or right hand (RH) seat back structure22and a second or left hand (LH) seat back structure24. The LH seat back structure24makes up approximately sixty percent of the seat row assembly20and includes outboard and inboard floor attachment brackets26,28for attaching the LH seat back structure24to a vehicle10. The RH seat back structure22makes up approximately forty percent of the seat row assembly20and includes a RH outboard attachment bracket30for attachment to a vehicle10. The LH seat inboard floor attachment bracket28includes a free pivot pin32which allows both the RH an LH seat back22,24to rotate along its axis to a stowed position (alternatively, the free pivot pin32may be part of the RH or LH assembly22,24). The RH seat22includes a pivot pin retaining mechanism34. The pivot pin retainer mechanism34includes a bushing/retainer36, a retainer (e.g., spring, clip, etc.)38, and an inner bushing40mounted into an aperture42of a free pivot bracket44which is a part of the RH back structure22, as best shown assembled inFIG. 3B. The LH seat back structure24and the RH seat back structure22are aligned side by side laterally along their lengths and are coupled together via the pivot pin retainer mechanism34and supported by an inboard bracket28incorporating the pivot pin32and supported by the vehicle10.

Referring now toFIG. 4andFIG. 5A-5C, the pivot pin retainer mechanism34is shown in greater detail. According to an exemplary embodiment, the free pivot pin32has a generally cylindrical shape having a conical head portion46(other suitable shapes may be used) that facilitates insertion into the inner bushing40, the free pivot pin bracket aperture42, and the bushing/retainer36. The free pivot pin32also includes a circumferential collar48and circumferential groove50(e.g., indentation, notch or recess, etc.) both located distally from the head portion46. Whereas the inner bushing40is positioned onto the collar'48of the free pivot pin32, the retainer38(e.g., spring, clip, etc.) fits snugly into the groove50. The inner bushing40includes a pair of attachment tabs or barbs52(e.g., appendages, extensions, etc.) that flex/move into the bushing/retainer36and thereby, along with the retainer spring38, retain the free pivot pin32within the free pivot pin bracket44.

Referring now toFIGS. 6A-6F, the installation of the RH and LH seat back structures22,24into a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. At step1, the retainer spring38is coupled onto the bushing retainer36to form the bushing retainer spring assembly54, as shown inFIG. 6A. At step2, the RH seat back structure retainer mechanism34is installed, as shown inFIG. 6B. The inner bushing40is then inserted into the aperture42of the RH free pivot bracket44to snap into the bushing retainer and spring assembly54on the other side of the aperture42. Next, at step3, the inboard attachment bracket and pin assembly56is coupled to the LH back frame58via fastening means60(e.g., screws, bolts, etc.). The RH and LH seat back assemblies22,24are then completed with installation of foam, trim, and head restraint18, etc. At step4, the LH trimmed seat back62is inserted into a vehicle10and coupled (e.g., bolted, welded, etc.) to the vehicle10via the LH outboard attachment bracket26and the inboard bracket28. Next, at step5, the RH trimmed seat back64is inserted into the vehicle10and laterally aligned with the LH seat back structure62such that the free pivot pin32located on the inboard attachment bracket28slides into the inner bushing40and into the aperture42of the free pivot pin bracket44located on the RH seat back structure64. The free pivot pin32is then slid into the bushing/retainer36and locked into place via the retainer spring38. At step6, the RH seat back structure64is then coupled (e.g., bolted, welded, etc) to the vehicle10via the RH outboard attachment bracket30and thereby completing vehicle seat back installation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the retainer34is pre-assembled with the bushing(s)36,40and then installed into the bracket44at a JIT assembly plant. By pushing the free pivot pin32having the groove50thereon through the bushings36,40until the retainer spring38latches and secures the free pivot pin32into position, a customer is able to assemble the seat row without the use of fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, insertion fasteners, etc.). More particularly, the seat row12can be pre-installed and retained in position and function to couple seat backs14without using a screw/bolt-type fastener. The bushing(s)36,40provide for a smooth and reduced rattle and squeak rotation of the free pivot pin32relative to the bracket44. Moreover, the pivot pin retainer mechanism34can be installed in very limited space.

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.