SINGLE CONTROL HANDLE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR USE WITH A VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract: A single control handle release mechanism for a vehicle seat hinge has a mounting plate attachable to a seat cushion, a sector plate pivotally mounted on the mounting plate for selective pivotal movement about a first lower pivot axis, and a rotational control plate pivotally mounted on the sector plate for selective pivotal movement about a second upper pivot axis and attachable to a seatback. The vehicle seatback is pivotally movable about the first lower pivot axis between a plurality of angular positions and forwardly foldable about the second upper pivot axis between a design position and a forwardly dumped position. The release mechanism comprises a primary latch that pivotally fixes the sector plate with respect to the mounting plate, and a secondary latch that pivotally fixes the rotational control plate with respect to the sector plate. A manually grippable handle effects latched and unlatched configurations of the primary latch. A link arm is operatively interconnected between the secondary latch and the seat cushion for movement of the secondary latch from a latched configuration to an unlatched configuration upon relative movement of the link arm and the secondary latch with respect to each other beyond a threshold position, thereby to release the vehicle seatback to be forwardly foldable over the vehicle seat cushion about the second upper pivot axis, as aforesaid.

Description: TITLE: SINGLE CONTROL HANDLE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR USE WITH A VEHICLE SEAT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to release mechanisms for use with vehicle seat hinges having two pivot axes to permit a seatback to recline and to forwardly fold to a horizontal forwardly dumped position, and more particularly to single control handle release mechanisms for use with such vehicle seat hinges . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Passenger vehicles, especially combined passenger and utility type vehicles, commonly have front and rear seats that both recline and fold forwardly to a substantially horizontally disposed forwardly dumped position, as selected by a user, in order to accommodate increasing demand for more functional vehicle interiors. Placing a vehicle seat in its forwardly folded dumped position allows for carrying of large or lengthy objects inside the vehicle and provides a convenient substantially horizontal flat surface for articles that might be used in a vehicle, such as briefcases, laptop computers, and also food and drinks. Various prior art vehicle seats exist, which vehicle seats fold forwardly to a substantially horizontally disposed forwardly dumped position. Such vehicle seats typically include a pair of vehicle seat hinges, with each hinge having a mounting plate securely attached to a vehicle seat cushion. A sector plate associated with the seatback is pivotally mounted on the mounting plate for pivotal movement about a lower pivot axis. A rotational control plate is pivotally mounted on the sector plate for pivotal movement about an upper pivot axis and is securely attached to a vehicle seatback. In such prior art vehicle seats, the seatback is selectively pivotally movable about the lower pivot axis between a plurality of angular positions, typically including a plurality of reclining positions and also a plurality of partially forwardly (of vertical) inclined positions. The seatback is also forwardly foldable about the upper pivot axis between a design position and a forwardly dumped position, whereat the rear surface of the seatback is substantially horizontally disposed. In the prior art, in order to permit selection and control of the reclining and forward folding of the vehicle seatback about two substantially parallel pivot axes, one or more manually manipulable handle release mechanisms are used. One single release mechanism for this purpose is disclosed in United States Patent No. 5,052,748 (Fourrey et al ) . As taught therein, when the seatback is in a rearwardly reclined position, a pawl mechanism locks out a portion of the seatback pivot mechanism, thus precluding forward dumping of the seatback over the seat cushion. When the seatback is in an upright design position, in order to forwardly fold the seatback over the seat cushion, a single manually actuatable lever arm is lifted, thus immediately and concurrently releasing the seatback for rotation, either forwardly about both the lower and upper pivot axes , or for reclining about the lower pivot axis . Such immediate and concurrent releasing is highly undesirable, as it precludes separate control of the reclining function. Another such release mechanism is shown in United States Patent 4,484,779 No. (Suzuki), wherein a conventional release mechanism is used to selectively release a seatback for reclining or initial forward folding with respect to a vehicle seat cushion. After initial forward folding of the seatback, an isolated pin on the seat cushion is engaged by a separate latch rotatably mounted on the seatback. In both of these prior art patents, there is no direct link or connection between the seat cushion and the upper pivot axis of the seatback, which is highly undesirable. Further, it is necessary to perform initial forwardly folded movement of the seatback forwardly of the design position in order to permit the seatback to be moved to the fully forwardly dumped position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a single control handle release mechanism for use with a vehicle seat hinge, which release mechanism is actuatable through manual manipulation of single control handle. It is another object of the present invention to provide a single control handle release mechanism for use with a vehicle seat hinge, which release mechanism is actuatable through manual manipulation of a single control handle without requiring significant initial forward folding of the seatback, forward of the design position. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a single control handle release mechanism for use with a vehicle seat hinge, which release mechanism is simple and inexpensive to manufacture . It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a single control handle release mechanism for use with a vehicle seat hinge, which release mechanism is intuitive to operate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed a single control handle release mechanism for use with a vehicle seat hinge having a mounting plate securely attachable to a vehicle seat cushion means, a sector plate pivotally mounted on the mounting plate for selective pivotal movement about a first lower pivot axis, and a rotational control plate pivotally mounted on the sector plate for selective pivotal movement about a second upper pivot axis and securely attachable to a vehicle seatback means . When the vehicle seat hinge is installed in a vehicle seat, the vehicle seatback means is pivotally movable with respect to the vehicle seat cushion means about the first lower pivot axis between a plurality of angular positions and forwardly foldable with respect to the vehicle seat cushion means about the second upper pivot axis between a design position and a forwardly dumped position. The single control handle release mechanism comprises a primary latch means operatively interconnected between the mounting plate and the sector plate so as to be selectively movable between a latched configuration whereat the mounting plate and the sector plate are pivotally fixed one with respect to the other, and an unlatched configuration whereat the mounting plate and the sector plate are free to pivot about the first lower pivot axis such that the vehicle seatback means is pivotally movable, as aforesaid, between the plurality of angular positions. A secondary latch means is operatively interconnected between the sector plate and the rotational control plate so as to be selectively movable between a latched configuration whereat the sector plate and the rotational control plate are pivotally fixed one with respect to the other, and an unlatched configuration whereat the sector plate and the rotational control plate are free to forwardly fold, as aforesaid, between the design position and the forwardly dumped position. A manually grippable handle means is rotatably mounted on the seat cushion means and operatively connected to the primary latch means, for movement from an initial position, corresponding to the latched configuration of the primary latch means and the latched configuration of the secondary latch means, to a first release position, at which first release position the manually grippable handle means effects the unlatched configuration of the primary latch means, thereby permitting pivotal folding, as aforesaid, of the vehicle seatback means about the first lower pivot axis between the plurality of angular positions. A link arm means is operatively interconnected between the secondary latch means and the vehicle seat cushion means for movement of the secondary latch means from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration upon relative movement of the link arm means and the secondary latch means with respect to each other beyond a threshold position, thereby to release the vehicle seatback means to be forwardly foldable over the vehicle seat cushion means about the second upper pivot axis, as aforesaid. Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the single control handle release mechanism for use with a vehicle seat hinge, according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front left of a first embodiment of a single control handle release mechanism according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front right of the embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment of single control handle release mechanism of Figure 1, with the single control handle release mechanism installed in a vehicle seat and with the seatback of the seat in an upright design position; Figure 4 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of Figure 3 ; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but with the seatback in a reclined position; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3, but with the seatback having been initially folded forwardly about the first lower pivot axis, and with the link arm means and the secondary latch means in a threshold position; Figure 6A is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 6, showing the secondary latch means in a latched configuration; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but with the seatback folded forwardly slightly more than Figure 6 about the first lower pivot axis; Figure 7A is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 7, showing the secondary latch means in an unlatched configuration; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, but with the seatback folded forwardly about the first lower pivot axis to a substantially horizontal forwardly dumped position; Figure 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 8, showing the secondary latch means in a latched configuration; Figure 9 is a perspective view from the front left of a second embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view from the front right of the second embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of Figure 10; Figure 11 is a left side elevational view of the second embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of Figure 9, with the single control handle release mechanism installed in a vehicle seat and with the seatback of the seat partially folded forwardly about the first lower pivot axis, and with the link arm means and the secondary latch means shown in a threshold position; Figure 11A is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 11, showing the secondary latch means in a latched configuration; Figure 12 is a perspective view from the front left of a third embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism according to the present invention; Figure 13 is a perspective view from the front right of the third embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a left side elevational view of the third embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of Figure 12, with the single control handle release mechanism installed in a vehicle seat and with the seatback of the seat in an upright design position; Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14, but with the seatback in a reclined position; Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15, but with the seatback partially folded forwardly about the first lower pivot axis, and with the link arm means and the secondary latch means in a threshold position; and, Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16, but with the seatback folded forwardly slightly more than Figure 16 about the first lower pivot axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to Figures 1 through 17 of the drawings, there is shown a first, second, and third embodiments of the single control handle release mechanism of the present invention, which embodiments will each be described separately in this specification. Common reference numerals are used in the Figures to denote like parts, from one embodiment to the next. Referring now to Figures 1 through 8A of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of the present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral 20. As can be best seen in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, the single control handle release mechanism 20 is for use with a vehicle seat hinge, as indicated by the general reference numeral 22, installed in a vehicle seat, as indicated by the general reference numeral 24. The vehicle seat hinge 22 has a mounting plate 30 securely attachable to a vehicle seat cushion means 26 (shown in dashed lining) by conventional fastening means (not shown), as is well known in the art. A sector plate 40 is pivotally mounted on the mounting plate 30, by means of a pin member 36, for selective pivotal movement about a first lower pivot axis "A" . A rotational control plate 50 is pivotally mounted on the sector plate 40 by a pin member 42 and is retained in place by a mounting bracket 44, for selective pivotal movement about a second upper pivot axis "B" as limited by a sectoral slot 52 in the rotational control plate 50 engaged by a stop pin 46 securely mounted on the sector plate 40. The rotational control plate 50 is securely attachable to a vehicle seatback means 28 (shown in dashed lining) by conventional fastening means (not shown) , as is well known in the art. When the vehicle seat hinge 22 is installed in the vehicle seat 24, the vehicle seatback means 28 is pivotally movable with respect to the vehicle seat cushion means 26 about the first lower pivot axis "A" between a plurality of angular positions, including return forwardly folding movement, as indicated by double ended arrow "C" in Figure 3, or return reclining movement, as indicated by double ended arrow "D" in Figure 3. Such angular positions include a substantially upright occupiable position, as can be best seen in Figures 3 and 4, various reclined positions, one of which reclined positions is shown in Figure 5, and also include partially forwardly angled positions, as can be best seen in Figures 6 and 7. The reclined positions and the partially forwardly angled positions are limited by a stop pin 47 securely mounted on the sector plate 40 so as to engage a sectoral slot 39 in the mounting plate 30. The vehicle seatback means 28 is also forwardly foldable with respect to the vehicle seat cushion means 26 about the second upper pivot axis "B" between a design position, as can be best seen in Figures 3 and 4, and a forwardly dumped position, as can be best seen in Figure 8. The single control handle release mechanism 20 comprises a primary latch means, as indicated by the reference numeral 60, operatively interconnected between the mounting plate 30 and the sector plate 40 and actuated by a manually grippable handle means 80. In the preferred embodiments as illustrated, the primary latch means 60 comprises a known reclining adjustment mechanism that has a cam (not shown) rotatable by manipulation of the handle means 80. The cam effects radially inward and outward movement of a plurality of toothed latching pawls (not shown) within the primary latching means 60 and associated with the seat cushion means 26 into engagement and out of engagement with a co-operating annular ring gear (not shown) also within the primary latching means 60 and associated with the seatback means 28. Examples of modern versions of such a primary latch means 60 can be found in United States Patent No. 5,526,970 (Kienke et al ) and European Patent No. 808,742 (Rohee) . The primary latch means 60 is selectively movable between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration. In the latched configuration, the mounting plate 30 and the sector plate 40 are pivotally fixed one with respect to the other, and the seatback means 28 is precluded from pivotal movement about the first lower pivot axis "A", as aforesaid. In the unlatched configuration, the mounting plate 30 and the sector plate 40 are free to pivot about the first lower pivot axis "A" such that the vehicle seatback means 28 is pivotally movable, as aforesaid, between the plurality of angular positions, as can be best seen in Figures 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , and 7. A secondary latch means designated by the general reference numeral 70 is operatively interconnected between the sector plate 40 and the rotational control plate 50 so as to be selectively movable between a latched configuration, as can be best seen in Figures 1 through 6, and an unlatched configuration, as can be best seen in Figures 7 through 8. When the secondary latch means 70 is in the latched configuration, the sector plate 40 and the rotational control plate 50 are pivotally fixed one with respect to the other. When the secondary latch means 70 is in the unlatched configuration, the sector plate 40 and the rotational control plate 50 are free to forwardly fold about the second upper pivot axis "B" , as aforesaid, between the design position, as can be best seen in Figures 1 through 6, and the forwardly dumped position, as can be best seen in Figure 8. In the first embodiment, the secondary latch means 70 essentially comprises a cam member 72 rotatably mounted on the sector plate 40 by a pin member 74, and retained in place by the mounting bracket 44, for pivotal movement between a latched configuration, as can be best seen in Figures 1 through 6, and especially Figure 6A, and an unlatched configuration, as can be best seen in Figures 7 and 8, and especially Figure 7A. The cam member 72 is spring biased toward its latched configuration by a spring member 76 having a first end 76a mounted on a lug 45 formed on the mounting bracket 44 and a second end 76b mounted on a post 78 projecting outwardly from the cam member 72. The pivotal movement of the cam member 72 is limited by a sectoral slot 53 in the rotational control plate 50 engaged by a stop pin 79 securely mounted on the cam member 72. The latched configuration of the cam member 72 corresponds to the latched configuration of the secondary latch means 70 and the unlatched configuration corresponds to the unlatched configuration of the secondary latch means 70. In the latched configuration of the cam member 72, a camming surface 71 on the cam member 72 latchingly engages a co-operating cam receiving surface 54 on the rotational control plate 50. In the unlatched configuration of the cam member 72, the camming surface 71 is removed from being latchingly engaged with the cam receiving surface 54. The secondary latch means 70 further comprises means for releasably locking the vehicle seatback means 28 in the forwardly dumped position shown in Figure 8. In the first embodiment, the means for releasably locking the vehicle seatback means 28 in the forwardly dumped position comprises a notch 56 disposed in the rotational control plate 50 and a projecting tooth member 77 disposed on the cam member 72 for co-operative interlocking with the notch 56 when the vehicle seatback means 28 is in the forwardly dumped position. As can be best seen in Figure 8A, the co- operating profiles of the notch 56 and the tooth member 77 are shaped such that lifting of the seatback means 28 with only slightly more than a minimal force in a rotational direction opposite to that of arrow "K" in Figure 8, causes unlocking of the notch 56 and the tooth member 77 with respect to each other, thus permitting the seatback to be pivoted about the second upper pivot axis "B", in the same rotational direction, so as to be returned from its forwardly folded position to its design position, as can be best seen in Figure 6. The manually grippable handle means 80 is mounted on the seat cushion means 26 via the pin member 36 so as to cause rotation of the pin member 26 upon rotation of the handle means 80. Such rotation of the pin member 36 causes selective latching and unlatching of the primary latch means 60, as is generally known in the art. The manually grippable handle means 80 is mounted for rotatable movement with the pin member, as indicated by arrows "E" , "F", and "G" in Figures 3, 4, and 5, respectively, from an initial position, as is shown in solid lining in Figures 3, 4, and 8, and as is shown in dashed lining in Figure 5, to a first release position, as is shown in solid lining in Figures 5 through 7, and as is shown in dashed lining in Figure 8. The manually grippable handle means 80 is thus used to selectively move the primary latch means 60 from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration, thus permitting reclining of the vehicle seatback means 28, as indicated by arrow "H" in Figure 5, or to permit initial forward folding of the vehicle seatback means 28, as indicated by arrows "I" and "J" in Figures 6 and 7, respectively. The manually grippable handle means 80 is preferably spring biased towards its initial position by internal springs (not shown) positioned within the primary latch means 60. A clock spring 37 interconnected between the pin member 47 on the sector plate 40 and the pin member 36 spring biases the sector plate 40, and thus the seatback means 28, toward the forwardly folded position. The manually grippable handle means 80 is operatively connected to the primary latch means 60 via the pin member 36. If desired, a slave cable (not shown) may be interconnected between the manually grippable handle means 80 and a primary latch means (not shown) on a second vehicle seat hinge (not shown) associated with the opposite other side vehicle seat 24, so as to translate motion of the handle means 80 to such other primary latch means (not shown) . Such use of a slave cable mechanism to translate actuatory motion to a second vehicle seat hinge means is well known in the art. The first release position of the manually grippable handle means 80 corresponds to the latched configuration of the primary latch means 60 and the latched configuration of the secondary latch means 70. In the first release position, the manually grippable handle means 80 effects the unlatched configuration of the primary latch means 60, thereby permitting pivotal folding, as aforesaid, of the vehicle seatback means 28 about the first lower pivot axis "A" between the plurality of angular positions. An elongate link arm means 90 is operatively interconnected between the secondary latch means 70 and the vehicle seat cushion means 26. In the first embodiment as illustrated, the link arm means 90 has a first end 91 pivotally connected to the vehicle seat cushion means 26 by means of a mounting pin 35 secured to the mounting plate 30, as can be sen in Figures 3, 5, 6 , 7, and 8, and as can be best seen in Figure 4. The second end 92 of the link arm means 90 further comprises an elongated slot 94 having a proximal end 94a disposed toward the first end 91 of the link arm means 90 and a distal end 94b disposed toward the second end 92 of the link arm means 90. As can be best seen in Figure 4, the second end 92 of the link arm means 90 is operatively connected to the secondary latch means 70 by means of the pin member 79 mounted on the cam member 72, which pin member 79 engages the elongated slot 94 in lost-motion sliding relation to effect the operative connection between the link arm means 90 and the secondary latch means 70. The elongated slot 94 is positioned and dimensioned such that at the threshold position of the link arm means 90 and the secondary latch means 70, as is illustrated in Figures 6 and 6A, the pin member 79 is disposed at the distal end 94b of the elongated slot 94 in load bearing relationship to effect the movement of the secondary latch means 70 to the unlatched configuration as shown in Figure 7. The elongate link arm means 90 is operatively interconnected between the secondary latch means 70 and the vehicle seat cushion means 26 as described, for movement of the secondary latch means 70 from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration upon relative movement of the link arm means 90 and the pin member 79 of the secondary latch means 70 with respect to each other beyond the threshold position illustrated in Figure 6. In the first embodiment, the relative movement of the link arm means 90 and the secondary latch means 70 with respect to each other occurs upon forwardly folded pivotal movement of the vehicle seatback means 28 about the first lower pivot axis "A" following the movement of the handle means 80 to the first released position. In this manner, the vehicle seatback means 28 is released so as to be forwardly foldable over the vehicle seat cushion means 26 about the second upper pivot axis "B", as aforesaid, to a forwardly dumped position, as can be best seen in Figure 8. In use, in order to position the vehicle seatback means 28 in its forwardly dumped position, as can be best seen in Figure 8, the handle means 80 is rotated from an initial position, as can be best seen in Figures 3 and 4, by being manually lifted, as indicated by arrows "E" and "F", to the first release position, as can be best seen in Figures 6 and 7 , to thereby unlatch the primary latch means 60. The vehicle seatback means 28 is then initially folded forwardly by hand to the position shown in Figure 6, as indicated by arrow "I". During this initial forward folding of the vehicle seatback means 28, the pin member 79 engages the elongated slot 94 in lost-motion sliding relation until it reaches the threshold position, as described above, and as can be best seen in Figures 6 and 6A. The vehicle seatback means 28 is then folded forwardly even more by the user to the position shown in Figure 7, as indicated by arrow "J", to effect the operative connection between the link arm means 90 and the secondary latch means 70, thus unlatching the secondary latch means 70. The vehicle seatback means 28 may then be further forwardly folded, as indicated by arrow "K" in Figure 8, to the substantially horizontal forwardly dumped position, as defined by the stop pin 46 engaged in the sectoral slot 52. The vehicle seatback means 28 is locked in the substantially horizontal forwardly dumped position by means of cooperative interlocking of the projecting tooth member 77 with the notch 56. The handle means 80 is then released and returns under the influence of the previously mentioned internal spring biasing (not shown) of the primary latch means 60 to its initial position, as indicated by arrow " " in Figure 8. The vehicle seatback means 28 may be released from being locked in the forwardly dumped position by mere lifting by the use of the seatback means 28 with only slightly more than a minimal force, as discussed above, due to the co-operating profiles of the notch 56 and the tooth member 77. Referring now to Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings, there is shown a second embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of the present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral 20' . The second embodiment single control handle release mechanism 20' is structurally and functionally similar to the first preferred embodiment single control handle release mechanism 20, except for the specific interconnection and operation of the link arm means 90' . The first end 91' of the link arm means 90' is pivotally connected to the vehicle seat cushion means 26 by means of a mounting pin 35 secured to the mounting plate 30, forwardly of the first lower pivot axis "A" . The second end 92 ' of the link arm means 90' is operatively connected to the pin member 79 mounted on the cam member 72', which pin member 79 engages the elongated slot 94' in lost-motion sliding relation to effect the operative connection between the link arm means 90' and the secondary latch means 70. The elongated slot 94' is positioned and dimensioned such that, at the threshold position of the link arm means 90' and the secondary latch means 70, as is illustrated in Figures 11 and 11A, the pin member 79 is disposed at the proximal end 94a' of the elongated slot 94 in load bearing relationship to effect the movement of the secondary latch means 70 to the unlatched configuration upon continued forward folding of the vehicle seatback means 28. Referring now to Figures 12 through 16 of the drawings, there is shown a third embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism of the present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral 20' ' . The third embodiment single control handle release mechanism 20' ' is structurally and functionally similar to the second preferred embodiment single control handle release mechanism 20', except for the specific interconnection and operation of the link arm means 90' ' . The first end 91 ' ' of the link arm means 90' ' is pivotally connected to the vehicle seat cushion means 26 via the manually grippable handle means 80, by means of a mounting pin 35 secured to the handle means 80, such that the link arm means 90 ' ' moves in concert with movement of the manually grippable handle means 80. The second end 92'' of the link arm means 90' ' is operatively connected to the pin member 79 mounted on the cam member 72 ' , which pin member 79 engages the elongated slot 94 ' ' in lost-motion sliding relation to effect the operative connection between the link arm means 90'' and the secondary latch means 70' ' . As in the second embodiment of the single control handle release mechanism 20' of the present invention, the manually grippable handle means 80 is mounted for rotatable movement, as indicated by arrow "M" , and "N" in Figures 14, and 15, respectively, from an initial position, as is shown in solid lining in Figure 14 and as is shown in dashed lining in Figure 15, to a first release position, as is shown in solid lining in Figures 15 and as is shown in dashed lining in Figure 16. The manually grippable handle means 80 is (as previously described) used to selectively move the primary latch means 60 from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration, thus permitting reclining of the vehicle seatback means 28, as indicated by arrow "H" in Figure 15, to a reclined position as shown, or to permit initial forward folding of the vehicle seatback means 28, as indicated by arrow "P" in Figure 16. As can be best seen in Figure 16, the manually grippable handle means 80 is further movable, as indicated by arrow "Q", from the first release position, as shown in dashed outline, through a threshold handle position, as shown in solid lining, whereat the link arm means 90' ' has been carried by movement of the handle means 80 to the threshold position of the link arm means 90' ' and the secondary latch means 70' ' . At the threshold position of the link arm means 90' ' and the secondary latch means 70' ', the pin member 79 is disposed at the proximal end 94a' ' of the elongated slot 94 ' ' in load bearing relationship to effect the movement of the secondary latch means 70'' to the unlatched configuration. The manually grippable handle means 80 is still further movable, as indicated by arrow "R" in Figure 17, to a second release position, as is shown in solid lining in Figure 17, beyond the threshold position of the link arm means 90' ' and the secondary latch means 70'', so as to effect the movement of the secondary latch means 70'' to the unlatched configuration, as aforesaid. Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A single control handle release mechanism for use with a vehicle seat hinge having a mounting plate securely attachable to a vehicle seat cushion means, a sector plate pivotally mounted on said mounting plate for selective pivotal movement about a first lower pivot axis, and a rotational control plate pivotally mounted on said sector plate for selective pivotal movement about a second upper pivot axis and securely attachable to a vehicle seatback means, wherein, when said vehicle seat hinge is installed in a vehicle seat, said vehicle seatback means is pivotally movable with respect to said vehicle seat cushion means about said first lower pivot axis between a plurality of angular positions and forwardly foldable with respect to said vehicle seat cushion means about said second upper pivot axis between a design position and a forwardly dumped position, said single control handle release mechanism comprising: a primary latch means operatively interconnected between said mounting plate and said sector plate so as to be selectively movable between a latched configuration whereat said mounting plate and said sector plate are pivotally fixed one with respect to the other, and an unlatched configuration whereat said mounting plate and said sector plate are free to pivot about said first lower pivot axis such that said vehicle seatback means is pivotally movable, as aforesaid, between said plurality of angular positions; a secondary latch means operatively interconnected between said sector plate and said rotational control plate so as to be selectively movable between a latched configuration whereat said sector plate and said rotational control plate are pivotally fixed one with respect to the other, and an unlatched configuration whereat said sector plate and said rotational control plate are free to forwardly fold, as aforesaid, between said design position and said forwardly dumped position; a manually grippable handle means rotatably mounted on said seat cushion means and operatively connected to said primary latch means, for movement from an initial position, corresponding to said latched configuration of said primary latch means and said latched configuration of said secondary latch means, to a first release position, at which first release position said manually grippable handle means effects said unlatched configuration of said primary latch means, thereby permitting pivotal folding, as aforesaid, of said vehicle seatback means about said first lower pivot axis between said plurality of angular positions; and, a link arm means operatively interconnected between said secondary latch means and said vehicle seat cushion means for movement of said secondary latch means from said latched configuration to said unlatched configuration upon relative movement of said link arm means and said secondary latch means with respect to each other beyond a threshold position, thereby to release said vehicle seatback means to be forwardly foldable over the vehicle seat cushion means about said second upper pivot axis, as aforesaid. 2. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 1, wherein said link arm means is elongate and has a first end pivotally connected to said vehicle seat cushion means and a second end operatively connected to said secondary latch means . 3. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 2, wherein said first end of the link arm means is pivotally connected to said mounting plate and wherein said relative movement of said link arm means and said secondary latch means with respect to each other occurs upon forwardly folded pivotal movement of said vehicle seatback means about said first lower pivot axis following said movement of the handle means to said first released position. 4. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 3, wherein the second end of said link arm means further comprises an elongated slot having a proximal end disposed toward said first end of said link arm means and a distal end disposed toward said second end of said link arm means, and wherein said secondary latch means includes a pin member, which pin member engages said elongated slot in lost-motion sliding relation to effect said operative connection between said link arm means and said secondary latch means . 5. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 4, wherein said elongated slot is positioned and dimensioned such that, at said threshold position of said link arm means and said secondary latch means, said pin member is disposed at said proximal end of said elongated slot in load bearing relationship to effect said movement of the secondary latch means to said unlatched configuration . 6. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 5, wherein said secondary latch means essentially comprises a cam member having a camming surface, said cam member being mounted on said sector plate for pivotal movement between a latched configuration corresponding to said latched configuration of said secondary latch means, whereat said camming surface latchingly engages a cam receiving surface on said rotational control plate, and an unlatched configuration corresponding to said unlatched configuration of said secondary latch means, whereat said camming surface is removed from being latchingly engaged with said cam receiving surface. 7. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 6, wherein said cam member is spring biased toward its latched configuration . 8. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 7, wherein said primary latch means comprises a known reclining adjustment mechanism. 9. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 8, wherein said secondary latch means further comprises means for releasably locking said vehicle seatback means in said forwardly dumped position. 10. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 9, wherein said means for releasably locking said vehicle seatback means in said forwardly dumped position comprises a notch disposed in said rotational control plate and a projecting tooth member disposed on said cam member for co-operative interlocking with said notch when said vehicle seatback member is in said forwardly dumped position. 11. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 4, wherein said elongated slot is positioned and dimensioned such that at said threshold position of said link arm means and said secondary latch means, said pin member is disposed at said distal end of said elongated slot in load bearing relationship to effect said movement of the secondary latch means to said unlatched configuration . 12. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 11, wherein said secondary latch means essentially comprises a cam member having a camming surface, said cam member being mounted on said sector plate for pivotal movement between a latched configuration corresponding to said latched configuration of said secondary latch means, whereat said camming surface latchingly engages a cam receiving surface on said rotational control plate, and an unlatched configuration corresponding to said unlatched configuration of said secondary latch means, whereat said camming surface is removed from being latchingly engaged with said cam receiving surface. 13. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 12, wherein said cam member is spring biased toward its latched configuration . 14. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 13 , wherein said primary latch means comprises a known reclining adjustment mechanism. 15. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 14, wherein said secondary latch means further comprises means for releasably locking said vehicle seatback means in said forwardly dumped position. 16. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 15, wherein said means for releasably locking said vehicle seatback means in said forwardly dumped position comprises a notch disposed in said rotational control plate and a projecting tooth member disposed on said cam member for co-operative interlocking with said notch when said vehicle seatback member is in said forwardly dumped position. 17. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first end of said link arm means is pivotally connected to said vehicle seat cushion means via the manually grippable handle means for movement with said handle means, and wherein said manually grippable handle means is further movable from said first release position through a threshold handle position whereat said link arm means has been carried by the handle means to said threshold position of said link arm means and said secondary latch means, to a second release position beyond said threshold position of said link arm means and said secondary latch means, so as to effect said movement of said secondary latch means to said unlatched configuration, as aforesaid. 18. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 17, wherein the second end of said link arm means further comprises an elongated slot having a proximal end disposed toward said first end of said link arm means and a distal end disposed toward said second end of said link arm means, and wherein said secondary latch means includes a pin member, which pin member engages said elongated slot in lost-motion sliding relation to effect said operative connection between said link arm means and said secondary latch means . 19. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 18, wherein said elongated slot is positioned and dimensioned such that, at said threshold position of said link arm means and said secondary latch means, said pin member is disposed at said proximal end of said elongated slot in load bearing relationship to effect said movement of the secondary latch means to said unlatched configuration . 20. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 19, wherein said secondary latch means essentially comprises a cam member having a camming surface, said cam member being mounted on said sector plate for pivotal movement between a latched configuration corresponding to said latched configuration of said secondary latch means, whereat said camming surface latchingly engages a cam receiving surface on said rotational control plate, and an unlatched configuration corresponding to said unlatched configuration of said secondary latch means, whereat said camming surface is removed from being latchingly engaged with said cam receiving surface. 21. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 20, wherein said cam member is spring biased toward its latched configuration . 22. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 21, wherein said primary latch means comprises a known reclining adjustment mechanism. 23. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 22, wherein said secondary latch means further comprises means for releasably locking said vehicle seatback means in said forwardly dumped position. 24. The single control handle release mechanism of claim 23, wherein said means for releasably locking said vehicle seatback means in said forwardly dumped position comprises a notch disposed in said rotational control plate and a projecting tooth member disposed on said cam member for co-operative interlocking with said notch when said vehicle seatback member is in said forwardly dumped position.

Inventors: SMUK WOJCIECH, SMUK, WOJCIECH
Applicants: BERTRAND FAURE COMPONENTS LTD, SMUK WOJCIECH, BERTRAND FAURE COMPONENTS LTD., SMUK, WOJCIECH
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B60N2
IPC codes: B60N2