Abstract:
A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes a seat track assembly for securing the seat in the vehicle. A seat cushion is supported by the seat track assembly and a seat back is pivotally secured to the seat track assembly and pivotal between one of a plurality of reclining positions and a forward dumping position. A linear actuator selectively adjusts the seat back between the plurality of reclining positions. A locking member intercoupled between the linear actuator and the seat back operatively locks the seat back in one of the plurality of reclining positions and a seat back releasing member is coupled to the locking member for releasing the locking member from the seat back and allowing the seat back to pivot from the reclining position to the dumping position while the linear actuator retains the previously adjusted reclining position of the seat back. A track locking member selectively locks the seat track assembly and seat in one of a plurality of fore and aft seat adjustment positions. A transmission member interconnects the seat back and the track locking member for automatically unlocking the seat track in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from the reclining position to the dumping position to allow access to the area behind the seat.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/074,300, filed on Feb. 11, 1998 and entitled “Vehicle Seat with a Linear Reclining Mechanism and an Easy Entry Latch with Memory”. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly having a linear seat back recliner and an easy entry latch mechanism with memory feature of the seat back recliner position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Vehicle seat assemblies commonly includes a seat track assembly for slidably mounting the seat to the floor of the vehicle. A seat cushion is supported by the seat track assembly and a seat back is pivotally supported by the seat cushion or seat track assembly. It is often desirable to adjust the angular or reclining position of the seat back with respect to the seat cushion for user comfort and safety. It is also often desirable to pivot the seat back fully forward, to a dumped position to allow easier access to the area behind the seat assembly. However, once the seat back has been pivoted fully forward to the dumped position, the previously adjusted reclining position is lost and the seat back must again be adjusted to the desired seat back reclining position. 
     Further, the seat track assembly is often unlocked or released when the seat back is pivoted to the dumped position allow forward sliding movement of the entire seat assembly and provide even greater access to the area behind the seat assembly. The release of both the seat back and seat track causes even further difficulty in retaining the previously adjusted reclining position of the seat back upon return from the dumped position. 
     Therefore, it remains desirable to provide a mechanism which allow release of the seat back for pivotal movement from the adjusted reclining position to the dumped position, while retaining, or memorizing, the previously adjusted reclining position upon return of the seat back. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A vehicle seat assembly including a seat mounting assembly for securing the seat in a vehicle. A seat cushion is supported by the seat mounting assembly and a seat back is pivotally secured to the seat mounting assembly and pivotal between one of a plurality of reclining positions and a forward dumping position. A linear actuator selectively adjusts the seat back between the plurality of reclining positions. A locking member intercoupled between the linear actuator and the seat back operatively locks the seat back in one of the plurality of reclining positions and a seat back releasing member is coupled to the locking member for releasing the locking member from the seat back and allowing the seat back to pivot from the reclining position to the dumping position while the linear actuator retains the previously adjusted reclining position of the seat back. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of a vehicle seat with a linear reclining mechanism and an easy entry latch with memory embodying the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view looking downwardly at the left side of a portion of the frame structure of a vehicle seat with a linear reclining mechanism and an easy entry latch with memory embodying the principles of the present invention as configured in the normal generally erect position; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the latching assembly of a vehicle seat with a linear reclining mechanism and an easy entry latch with memory shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary left side profile view of the latching assembly of a vehicle seat with a linear reclining mechanism and an easy entry latch with memory embodying the principles of the present invention as configured in the normal generally erect position; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the position of the latching assembly components after the seat back actuating mechanism has been moved into the operative position; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the track structure lock releasing mechanism of a vehicle seat with a linear reclining mechanism and an easy entry latch memory embodying the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary profile view of a track structure lock releasing mechanism for a vehicle seat with a linear reclining mechanism and an easy entry latch with memory embodying the principles of the present invention as configured in a locked position; 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the position of the track structure lock releasing mechanism after the seat back actuating mechanism has been moved into the operative position; 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary left profile view of the latching assembly of a vehicle seat with a linear reclining mechanism and an easy entry latch with memory embodying the principles of the present invention as configured in the generally reclined position; and 
     FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the position of the latching assembly components after the seat back actuating mechanism has been moved into the operative position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-10, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a vehicle seat, generally indicated at  2 , which includes a seat cushion assembly, generally indicated at  4 , mounted on the vehicle floor for fore and aft movements by a seat mounting assembly, generally indicated at  6 . The seat assembly  2  also includes a seat back cushion assembly, generally indicated at  8 , mounted on the seat cushion assembly  2  for forward dumping movement, and for rearward reclining movements by a seat back mounting assembly, generally indicated at  10 . Embodied within the seat back mounting assembly is an easy entry control assembly, generally indicated at  12 , having a linear reclining function with memory after dumping in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     The seat cushion assembly  4  excluding the seat mounting assembly  6  may be of any well known construction which includes a rigid frame constructed and arranged to carry a seat cushion of foamed polyurethane or the like which has on its exterior a cover of suitable material. Similarly, the seat back cushion assembly  8  may be of any well known construction including a frame structure constructed and arranged to support a seat back cushion which has on its exterior a cover of suitable material. The seat mounting assembly  6  of the seat cushion assembly  4  includes two transversely spaced pairs of cooperating track assemblies, generally indicated at  14 . The seat back mounting assembly  10  includes a pair of seat back support members  16  which are fixed on opposite sides of the frame structure of the seat back cushion assembly  8 . Each seat back support member  16  is rotatably mounted on a seat back support base structure  18 , fixedly mounted with respect to the frame of the seat cushion assembly  4 . 
     As best shown in FIGS. 2-5 and  9 - 10 , the control assembly  12  controls the pivotal movement of the seat back cushion assembly  8  with respect to the seat cushion assembly  4  provided by virtue of the pivotal connections between the seat back support members  16  and base structures  18 . In order to control the reclining movements, the control assembly  12  includes a linear actuator assembly, generally indicated at  20 , which is pivotally connected to one of the cooperating pairs of track assemblies  14 . A seat back releasing member, generally indicated at  22 , is pivotally attached to the rearward end of the linear actuator assembly  20  and engages and releases the seat back support member  16  to allow easy access and return to the same reclining position. A linear actuator assembly support structure  24  is provided for supporting the end of the linear actuator assembly  20  during easy access and return. As shown, the support structure  24  is pivoted at its upper end to the pivot pin  25 , which pivotally connects the associated support member  16  and base structure  18 , and at its lower end to the rearward end of the linear actuator assembly  20 . An operation transmission member  26 , at its most rearward end, is rotatably mounted at a position proximate to the middle portion of the support member  24 . An operation linking member, generally indicated at  28 , is rotatably mounted at its lower-most end to the forward end of the operation transmission member  26 . The operation linking member  28  is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 to extend up and over the track assembly  14  to terminate at an integral rotating contact structure  29 . A lock release coordinating structure, generally indicated at  30 , is rotatably attached at each end respectively to one of the pairs of track assemblies  14 . 
     The seat cushion mounting assembly  6  of the seat cushion assembly  4  may include in addition to the pairs of track assemblies  14  a spring bias to a forward-most position to facilitate access. The seat back cushion mounting assembly  10  is preferably also provided with a spring bias for the seat back cushion assembly to tend toward a generally erect position constituting the forward most position in the range of reclining positions provided. 
     While the preferred embodiment shown contemplates an access position of the vehicle seat  2  wherein the seat back cushion assembly  8  is pivoted forwardly into a dump position overlying the seat cushion assembly  4  and the seat cushion assembly  4  is moved forwardly from its operating position into an access position, the principles of the present invention are applicable to seats wherein the seat back cushion assembly  8  is moved forwardly into a dumping position but there is no forward movement of the seat to an access position. Moreover, while the forward access movement of the seat which is provided by the illustrated preferred embodiment does not include a memory function, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to seats which have this memory function built on in any known manner. 
     The pair of track assemblies  14  as shown are constructed in accordance with the disclosures contained in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,286,076 and 5,741,000, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present specification. Each pair of track assemblies  14  includes a fixed track member  32  which is fixedly secured to the floor of the vehicle and a movable track member  34  which is fixed to the frame of the seat cushion assembly  4  so as to form a part thereof. 
     As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, each fixed track member  32  provides a pair of longitudinally aligned guide portion  38  defining a series of locking openings  40 . The movable track member  34  is of a cross-sectional configuration such as to present center-facing, opposing, top-connected, C-shaped end portions  42 . As best shown in FIG. 6, an inboard surface  44  of each movable track member  34 , defines a locking member portal  46  disposed adjacent to the series of locking openings  40  which are presented on the guide portion  38  of the associated fixed track member  32 . A track locking member, generally indicated at  48 , is sized and configured to freely enter each locking member portal  46 . The locking member  48  is adapted to selectably and releasably interlock with selected sections of the guide portion  38  which define the series of locking openings  40 . In the fully assembled operational state, the locking member  48  is positioned within the locking member portal  46  and in vertical alignment with the guide portion  38  of the fixed track  32 . A portion of the track locking member projection  48  extends outwardly through the locking member portal  46  and is integral with a spring biased plate member  50 . The spring biased plate member  50  is upwardly spring biased by a spring structure  52  which is secured at each end to the inboard surface  44  of the movable track member  34  by a spring securing member  54 . The outer surface of the spring biased plate member  50  defines an elongated plate member slot  56 . 
     Proximate to each end of the lock release coordinating structure  30  is a lock coordinating projection member  58  which is adapted to fit within and serves to transmit vertical motion of the lock coordinating projection member  58  to the plate member slot  56  of the spring biased plate member  50 . The plate member slot  56  is configured so as to retain but also permit limited motion of the lock coordinating projection member  58 . 
     The two movable track assemblies  34  when referred to individually hereinafter will be referred to as a first movable track assembly  60  and a second movable track assembly  62 . Fixedly attached and proximate to the end of the lock release coordinating structure  30  which is adjacent the first movable track assembly  60  is an outer plate member  66 , best shown in FIGS. 6-8. A link abutment surface  68  is defined on an upper portion of the outer surface of the outer plate member  66 . The lock release coordinating structure  30 , proximate to each end thereof, is pivotally mounted near the center section of the inboard surface  44  of the pair of movable track assemblies  34  by a coordinating member pivot structure  70 . 
     The back support members  16  are each pivotally mounted to the upper portions of their respective base structures  18  by a back support pivot member  25 . The control assembly  12  is mounted proximate to the base structure  18  on first movable track assembly  60 . The linear actuator assembly  20  includes a linear actuator extension member locking assembly  74  which is mounted on the outboard side of the first movable track assembly  60 . Passing through and extending rearwardly is a releasably attached elongated extension member  76  which terminates in an abutting structure  78 . A seat back locking member  80  is pivotally mounted to the abutting structure  78  such that its uppermost portion can be selectively rotated by operation of the seat back releasing member  22  against a spring bias into (1) an open position above the abutting structure  78  as shown in FIG. 10 or (2) can be returned by action of the spring bias to a closed position rearward of the abutting structure  78  as shown in FIG.  9 . The abutting structure  78  abuts against and serves to prevent forward motion of a seat back support locking pin structure  82  which is fixedly attached on the outboard surface of the lower portion of the seat back support member  16 . 
     In operation, a linear actuator releasing member  84  when placed in an unlocked position by an operator acts on the locking assembly  74 , in a manner as is well known in the art, to release the extension member  76  allowing the extension member  76  to move forward or rearward as desired by the operator. As best shown in FIGS. 4,  5 ,  9  and  10  the seat back support locking pin  82 , being abutted against the rearward surface of the abutting structure  78  will be displaced rearward by the rearward movement of the abutting structure  78 . The seat back locking member  80  being spring biased to a closed position, rearward of the abutting structure  78 , is normally in a locked position against the rear surface of the seat back support locking pin structure  82 . Thus, in the normal locked position of the seat back locking member  80 , the seat back locking pin structure  82  is secured between the abutting structure  78  and the seat back locking member  80 . Therefore, when the linear actuator releasing member  84  is placed in the unlocked position and the extension member  76  is freed to move forward or rearward, the back support locking pin structure  82 , which is secured between the abutting structure  78  and the pivotally mounted seat back locking member  80 , follows forward or rearward, thereby adjusting the position of the seat back cushion assembly  8 . The operator&#39;s use of the linear actuator releasing member  84  to effect an adjustment of the degree of forward or rearward recline of the seat back has no effect on the position of the track assemblies  14 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the seat back releasing member  22  is pivotally mounted to and extends rearwardly generally parallel to the first movable track assembly  60 . As best shown in FIGS. 4,  5 ,  9  and  10 , a seat back releasing member slot  86  is defined in the lower middle portion of the seat back releasing member  22  and slidably receives therein a seat back locking member contact structure  88  which projects from the lower portion of the seat back locking member  80 . The releasing member slot  86  and the locking member contact structure  88  are configured such that upon upward rotational movement of the seat back releasing member  22  by an operator, the locking member contact structure  88  will be urged in a rearward direction by interaction with the releasing member slot  86 , and as a result of the pivotal mounting of the seat back locking member  80  to the abutting structure  78 , the seat back locking member  80  will pivot upward against the spring bias to the open position, thereby releasing the seat back locking pin structure  82 . Upon such release, the seat back locking pin structure  82  and the fixedly attached lower portion of the seat back support member  16  will be free to pivotally rotate rearwardly about the seat back support pivot member  25 , thereby allowing the seat back cushion assembly  8  to pivoted forwardly. Forward rotation of the seat back locking pin structure  82  is still prohibited by the position of the abutting structure  78 . 
     As the seat back cushion assembly  8  rotates forwardly, the abutting structure  78  remains in its last position prior to movement of the seat back support member  16 . By remaining in its last position, the abutting structure  78  maintains a memory of the last position of the seat back support member  16  and the seat back cushion assembly  8  prior to actuation of the seat back releasing member  22 . Upon actuation of the seat back releasing member  22 , the operation transmission member  26 , being pivotally mounted to the lower portion of the seat back support member  16 , will be pulled rearwardly as the seat back cushion assembly  8  is moved forwardly. 
     Upon return of the seat back cushion assembly  8  and the attached seat back support members  16  to the original position, the seat back locking pin structure  82  will initially strike against the rearward surface of the spring biased seat back locking member  80 . As best shown in FIGS. 4-5 and  9 - 10 , the rearward surface of the seat back locking member  80  is configured such as to allow the seat back locking pin structure  82  to urge the seat back locking member  80  against the spring bias until the locking pin structure  82  reaches the point where it is recaptured between the seat back locking member  80  and the abutting structure  78 . Because the abutting structure  78  was maintained in its original position by the linear actuator support member  24 , the seat back support structures  16  and the attached seat back cushion assembly  8  are, by the memory feature of the invention, held in the same position as they were prior to the actuation of the seat back releasing member  22 . The linear actuator releasing member  84 , when used by the operator to change the degree of erectness or recline of the seat back cushion assembly  8 , also serves to reset the memory feature of the invention by repositioning the abutting structure  78 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2,  7  and  8 , the pivotally mounted operation linking member  28  will be rotated by the rearward motion of the pivotally connected operation transmission member  26  in such a manner as to cause downward rotation of the integral rotating contact structure  29 . The rotating contact structure  29  when rotated downward abuts against the outer plate link abutment surface  68  forcing the outer plate member  66  and the fixedly attached lock release coordinating structure  30  downward. The spring biased plate member  50  follows downward as a result of interaction through its plate member slot  56  with the coordinating member projection  58 . Downward rotational movement of the end portion of the coordinating member  30  at the first movable track assembly  60  is transmitted across to the second movable track assembly  62  and is thus simultaneously accomplished at both movable track assemblies  34 . Simultaneous downward motion of both spring biased plate members  50  results in the downward motion of the respective integral track locking members  48 . The track locking members  48  are thus released from an interlocking engagement with the guide portions  38  of the fixed track assemblies  32 , thereby allowing movement of the movable track assemblies  34 . Conventionally, the seat cushion mounting assembly  6  provides a spring bias for the movable track assemblies  34  to move forward when the movable track assembly is unrestrained. Thus, by operating the seat back releasing member  22 , the seat back cushion assembly  8  has been freed to pivotally rotate forwardly in an overlying relation to the seat cushion assembly  2  while simultaneously freeing the movable track assemblies  34  in a coordinated fashion such that the seat can be moved forward to provide greater ease of access to a rear seat passenger area. 
     Importantly, although a downward push against the link abutment surface  68  from the rotating contact structure  29  will effect the release of the movable track assembly  34 , there is no direct linkage between the rotating contact structure  29  and the link abutment surface  68  of the outer plate member  66 . When an operator selectively pulls upward on the lock release coordinating structure  30 , the outer plate member  66  and its link abutment surface  68  move downward to release the movable track assemblies  34  from the fixed track assemblies  32 . However, because there is no direct linkage between the link abutment surface  68  and the rotating contact structure  29 , there is no responsive movement of the rotating contact structure  29 . Thus, the release of the movable track assembly  34 , when effected by an operator selectively using the lock release coordinating structure  30 , does not result in any release or adjustment to the degree of recline of the seat back cushion assembly  8 . 
     The memory feature of the invention is most clearly demonstrated by comparison of FIGS. 4,  5 ,  9  and  10 . The operation of the control assembly  23  upon movement of the seat back cushion assembly  8  from the normal generally erect position to the forward dump position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when compared to the operation of the control assembly  12  when the operation is initiated from the generally reclined position to the forward dump position, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, clearly shows that the linear actuator assembly  20 , in conjunction with the linear actuator assembly support member  24 , provides a memory feature of the invention by retaining the abutting structure  78  in previously adjusted position when the seat back cushion assembly  8  is pivoted rearwardly from the forward dump position. Upon return of the seat back support members  16  to a locked position the degree of seat back recline or erectness as earlier selected by operation of the linear actuator releasing member  84  will be preserved. 
     The invention thus allows operation of the lock release coordinating structure  30  and release of the movable track assemblies  34  without effect on the selected and locked recline position of the seat back cushion assembly  8 . Further, upon operation of the seat back releasing member  22 , the invention provides a coordinated dual action release of the seat back support members  16  and the movable track assemblies  34 . Throughout this dual action operation of the invention, the linear actuator assembly  20  is retained in the last selected position by the memory feature of the invention such that upon returning the seat back to a generally erect or reclined position, the seat back locking pin structure  82  will be recaptured in the same location from which it was earlier released without further adjustment. 
     The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.