Abstract:
An adjustable memory track assembly for a vehicle seat has a lower rail ( 18 ) adapted to be secured relative to a vehicle frame, and an upper rail ( 20 ) adapted to support the seat for fore/aft sliding movement relative to the lower rail ( 18 ). The adjustable memory track assembly ( 24 ) also has a track lock assembly ( 24 ) operable via a first actuator ( 28 ) between a locked, engaged state wherein relative movement between the lower ( 18 ) and upper rails ( 20 ) is resisted, and an unlocked, disengaged state wherein the seat can be slid to and then locked in a user-selected position. The adjustable memory track assembly ( 24 ) is characterized in that the memory module ( 24 ) is provided with a blocking element to prevent rearward movement of the seat past the user-selected position independent of the locking state of the track lock assembly ( 24 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/139,000, filed Dec. 19, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates in general to adjustable seats and in particular to vehicle seats whose position may be adjusted fore and aft. Vehicles such as passenger cars typically include seats for the use of the driver and other occupants. In many vehicles, the position of the seats may be adjusted for the comfort of the occupant. The options to adjust the position of a seat typically include the ability to move the seat in a fore and aft direction by operation of a track assembly which mounts the seat to the vehicle floor. 
         [0003]    Some vehicles include the option of moving the seats in the first row in order to facilitate access to the second row. This is known as an easy entry option and is commonly seen in two-door vehicles. The easy entry allows the generally upright back portion of the seat to be dumped, or pivoted from its normal use position to a more forward position, in order to facilitate access to the space behind the seat. Additionally, the track assembly may be actuated so that the seat may be moved forward. Often, the seat is moved to its most forward position. This allows a person to more easily gain access to the space located behind the seat. When the seat no longer has to be in the dumped position, the seat back may be raised to its use position, and the seat may be moved back from its most forward position. This allows an occupant to comfortably sit in the seat. 
         [0004]    An occupant of a seat will typically position that seat in the location that is most comfortable for him or her. When the seat is dumped, it is moved from that selected position. It is desirable that when the seat is raised from the dumped position that it return to the desired position that the user had previously selected. This way the seat is in the location that is most comfortable for the occupant without the occupant having to adjust the seat again. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention relates to an adjustable memory track assembly for a vehicle seat. The track assembly has a lower rail adapted to be secured relative to a vehicle frame, and an upper rail adapted to support the seat for fore/aft sliding movement relative to the lower rail. The adjustable memory track assembly also has a track lock assembly operable via a first actuator between a locked, engaged state wherein relative movement between the lower and upper rails is resisted, and an unlocked, disengaged state wherein the seat can be slid to and then locked in a user-selected position. A memory module is operable via a second actuator to record the user-selected position. The second actuator is also operatively connected to disengage the track lock assembly to allow forward movement of the seat from the user-selected location to a forward location, and thereafter allow rearward movement of the seat back to, but not past, the user-selected location. The adjustable memory track assembly is characterized in that the memory module is provided with a blocking element to prevent rearward movement of the seat past the user-selected position independent of the locking state of the track lock assembly. 
         [0006]    Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a bucket-type seat. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a seat track assembly of the seat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the seat track assembly of  FIG. 2 , showing a latch assembly and an easy entry assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a track lock engaged and a memory module disengaged. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the track lock disengaged and the memory module engaged. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the track lock engaged and the memory module engaged. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a comfort adjustment bar being used, the track lock disengaged, and the memory module disengaged. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the memory module of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the memory module of  FIG. 8 , with the view taken from the opposite direction to illustrate details on the opposite sides of some components. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the assembled memory module of  FIG. 9 , taken along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 . The memory module is shown in a zero position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in  FIG. 10 . The memory module is shown removed from the zero position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a perspective view of a bucket seat  10 . The illustrated bucket seat  10  is a type commonly installed as the front row of seats in passenger vehicles. The bucket seat  10  includes a seat portion  12  and a backrest  14 . The seat portion  12  and the backrest  14  are typically cushioned and upholstered for aesthetics and the comfort of seat occupants. The seat portion  12  and the backrest  14  may be upholstered with leather, fabric, or other desired materials. The bucket seat  10  is used for illustrative purposes only, and may be sized to accommodate any number of occupants or may be a bench-type seat. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a seat track assembly  16 . The seat track assembly  16  includes a pair of first rails  18  and a pair of second rails  20 . The first rails  18  are secured relative to a floor or a frame of a vehicle (not shown). The second rails  20  are mounted relative to the seat portion  12  of the bucket seat  10 . The seat track assembly  16  includes a catch assembly, indicated generally at  22 , mounted relative to one of the second rails  20 . The seat track assembly also includes a catch and memory assembly, indicated generally at  24 , mounted relative to the other of the second rails  20 . The catch assembly  22  and the catch and memory assembly  24  are operatively connected by a connection tube  26 . The catch assembly  22  and the catch and memory assembly  24  are also operatively connected by a comfort adjustment bar  28 . The second rails  20  are able to move relative to the first rails  18  in the directions indicated by arrows  30  and  30   a . This allows the bucket seat  10  to be moved fore-and-aft relative to the vehicle it is mounted in. The catch assembly  22  and the catch and memory assembly  24  are provided to lock the second rails  20  relative to the first rails  18 . The comfort adjustment bar  28  is a first actuator used to manually operate the catch assembly  22  and the catch and memory assembly  24 . The catch assembly  22  and the catch and memory assembly  24  will be described in detail below. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a detailed perspective view of the catch and memory assembly  24  is shown. The catch and memory assembly  24  includes a support bracket  32 . The illustrated support bracket  32  is made of steel and is welded to the second rail  20 ; however, the support bracket  32  may be made of other desired materials, and may be attached to the second rail  20  by other desired fasteners, such as by pins, rivets, adhesives, or threaded fasteners. The connection tube  26  is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the support bracket  32 . The catch and memory assembly  24  also includes an activation bracket  34 . The activation bracket  34  is fixed relative to the connection tube  26 . The activation bracket  34  may be fixed to the connection tube  26  by any desired fasteners, including welding, pins, rivets, adhesives, or threaded fasteners. The catch and memory assembly  24  includes a tube spring  36 . The tube spring  36  is supported by the support bracket  32  and the activation bracket  34  and provides a force to bias the activation bracket  34  in the direction indicated by arrow  38 . The catch and memory assembly  24  also includes a memory lock or memory sled  40 . The memory sled  40  is mounted for sliding movement relative to the support bracket  32 . The catch and memory assembly  24  includes a sled spring  42 . The sled spring  42  applies a force to bias the memory sled  40  in the direction indicated by the arrow  44 . 
         [0021]    The catch and memory assembly  24  is operatively connected to the backrest  14  by a Bowden cable  46 . The Bowden cable  46  is a second actuator used to operate the catch assembly  22  and the catch and memory assembly  24 . The Bowden cable  46  is supported by the support bracket  32  by a support flange  48 . When the backrest  14  is dumped, or pivoted from a generally upright use position to a more forward position adjacent the seat portion  10 , the Bowden cable  46  applies a force in the direction indicated by the arrow  50 . The force  50  applied by the Bowden cable  46  is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the tube spring  36 . Therefore, when the backrest  14  is dumped, the activation bracket  34  is rotated in an activation direction, indicated by arrow  52 . The effects of this will be explained in reference to the following figures. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a cross sectional view of the catch and memory assembly  24  is shown.  FIG. 4  illustrates the catch and memory assembly  24  when the backrest  14  is in its raised position. The activation bracket  34  is shown in a disengaged position. In addition to the components previously described, the catch and memory assembly  24  includes a track lock assembly, shown schematically at  54 . The track lock assembly  54  will not be described in detail, but may include any desired assembly that can releasably prevent relative movement between the first rail  18  and the second rail  20 . When the track lock assembly  54  is engaged, it prevents movement of the second rail  20  relative to the first rail  18 . The track lock assembly  54  includes a lock activation pin  56 . The lock activation pin  56  may be actuated to disengage the track lock assembly  54 . The track lock assembly  54  also includes a lock activation member  58  operatively connected to the comfort adjustment bar  28 . The lock activation member  58  may be actuated to disengage the track lock assembly  54 , thereby permitting fore and aft movement of the bucket seat  10 . The lock activation pin  56  and the lock activation member  58  are shown in their respective non-actuated positions in  FIG. 4 . Therefore, the track lock assembly  54  is engaged in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0023]    The catch and memory assembly  24  also includes a memory module, indicated generally at  60 . The memory module  60  includes a memory activation pin  62 . The memory activation pin  62  may be actuated to engage the memory module  60 . The operation of the memory module  60  will be described in detail below. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a cross sectional view similar to that shown in  FIG. 4  is illustrated. In the view shown in  FIG. 5 , the activation bracket  34  has been rotated in the activation direction  52 . The activation bracket  34  is shown in an engagement position. The activation bracket  34  includes a lock activation surface  64 . The lock activation surface  64  is adapted to engage the lock activation pin  56  when the activation bracket is in the engagement position. Thus, the lock activation surface  64  of the activation bracket  34  actuates the lock activation pin  56  causing the track lock assembly  54  to disengage. 
         [0025]    The activation bracket  34  also includes a sled engagement surface  66 . The sled engagement surface  66  is adapted to engage the memory sled  40  when the activation bracket  34  is in the engagement position. The sled engagement surface  66  applies a force to the memory sled  40  sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the sled spring  42  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Thus, the sled engagement surface  66  moves the memory sled  40  to a sled activated position, as indicated by the arrow  68 . 
         [0026]    The memory sled  40  includes a memory engagement surface  70 . The memory engagement surface is adapted to engage the memory activation pin  62  when the memory sled  40  is in the sled activation position. This causes the memory module  60  to move to a memory activation position, as indicated by the arrow  72 . The operation of the memory module  60  will be described in detail below. 
         [0027]    The memory sled  40  also includes a sled catch  74 . The sled catch  74  is adapted to interoperate with a sled lock  76 . The sled catch  74  includes a first catch surface  78 . When the memory sled  40  is moved from a sled deactivated position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to the sled activated position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), the first catch surface  78  engages with a first sled lock surface  80 . The first catch surface  78  and the first sled lock surface  80  are adapted so that this engagement of the surface provides a force in the unlocking direction indicated by the arrow  82 . The sled lock  76  is connected to the lock activation member  58 . The lock activation member  58  includes a lock activation spring  84 . The lock activation spring  84  provides a biasing force in the engagement direction indicated by the arrow  86 . The force applied on the sled lock  76  by the first catch surface  78  is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the lock activation spring  84 . Therefore, the sled lock  76  is moved in the unlocking direction  82 . This allows the memory sled to continue to move to the sled activated position, in the direction of the arrow  68 . When the memory sled  40  has moved to the sled activated position, the lock activation spring  84  will bias the sled lock  76  into a lock position, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a cross sectional view similar to that shown in  FIG. 5  is illustrated. In the view shown in  FIG. 6 , the activation bracket  34  has been rotated away from the activation direction  52  back to a rest or disengagement position. The lock activation surface  64  of the activation bracket  34  does not engage the lock activation pin  56  when the activation bracket  34  is in the disengagement position. Thus, the lock activation pin  56  is not actuated. This causes the track lock assembly  54  to engage and prevent relative movement between the first rail  18  and the second rail  20 . The sled engagement surface  66  does not engage the memory sled  40  when the activation bracket  34  is in the disengagement position. The memory sled  40  is biased in the direction  44  by the sled spring  42  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). However, the memory sled  40  is prevented from moving in the direction  44  by the sled lock  76 . The sled catch  74  has a second catch surface  88 . The sled lock has a second sled lock surface  90 . When the memory sled  40  is biased from the sled activated position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) to the sled deactivated position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), the second catch surface  88  engages with the second sled lock surface  90 . The second catch surface  88  and the second sled lock surface  90  are adapted so that this engagement does not provide a force in the unlocking direction sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the lock activation spring  84 . Therefore, the sled lock  76  prevents movement of the memory sled  40  to the sled deactivated position. 
         [0029]    Because the memory sled  40  remains in the sled activated position, the memory activation pin  62  remains actuated by the memory sled  40 . Therefore, the memory module remains in the memory activation position. Operation of the memory module  60  will be described in detail below. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross sectional view similar to that shown in  FIG. 6  is illustrated. In the view shown in  FIG. 7 , the comfort adjustment bar  28  has been actuated in order to allow adjustment of the position of the bucket seat  10 . When the comfort adjustment bar  28  is actuated, the lock activation member  58  is moved against the biasing force of the lock activation spring  84 . This causes the sled lock  76  to move in the unlocking direction  82 . This also disengages the track lock assembly  54 . When the sled lock  76  is moved in the unlocking direction  82 , it does not prevent movement of the memory sled  40  to the sled deactivated position. The memory sled  40  remains biased in the direction  44  by the sled spring  42  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Therefore, the memory sled  40  is moved in the direction  44  to the sled deactivated position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0031]    When the memory sled  40  moves to the sled deactivated position, it no longer engages the memory activation pin  62 . This causes the memory module  60  to move to a memory deactivation position, as indicated by the arrow  92 . The operation of the memory module  60  will be described in detail below. 
         [0032]    Referring back to  FIG. 4 , when the comfort adjustment bar  28  is no longer actuated, the lock activation spring  84  will bias the lock activation member  58  in the engagement direction  86 . This will cause the track lock assembly  54  to engage. This will also cause to the sled lock  76  to move in a locking direction, indicated by the arrow  94 . It should be appreciated that at this point the catch and memory assembly  24  is in the state depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an exploded, perspective view of the memory module  60 . The memory module  60  includes a memory mounting bracket  96 . The memory mounting bracket  96  is attached to the second rail  20  by rivets  98 . The memory mounting bracket  96  may be attached to the second rail  20  by other desired fasteners, such as by pins, adhesives, threaded fasteners, or by welding. The memory module  60  also includes a memory arm  100 . The memory arm  100  is attached for pivoting movement relative to the memory mounting bracket  96  by a pivot shaft  102 . The memory module  60  includes a memory spring  104 . The memory spring  104  biases the memory arm  100  in the memory deactivation direction, indicated by the arrow  92 . The illustrated memory spring  104  is a coil spring disposed around a sleeve  108  and around the pivot shaft  102 . It should be appreciated that the memory spring  104  may be any desired biasing member, such as a resilient member or a counter weight. 
         [0034]    The aforementioned memory activation pin  62  is attached to the memory arm  100 . It should be appreciated that when the memory sled  40  is moved to the sled activation position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) the memory arm  100  is moved to the memory activation position (as indicated by the arrow  72  in  FIG. 5 ) over the biasing force of the memory spring  104 . Further, when the memory sled  40  is moved to the sled deactivation position (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) the biasing force of the memory spring  104  moves the memory arm  100  to the memory deactivation position, as indicated by the arrow  92 . 
         [0035]    In further reference to  FIG. 8 , the memory module  60  includes a memory wheel  110 . The memory wheel  110  is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the memory arm  100 . The memory wheel includes a plurality of teeth  112 . The illustrated memory wheel  110  is a metal wheel with a plastic over mold. This reduces the noise made by the memory wheel  110 . It should be appreciated that the memory wheel  110  may be made of other desired materials. 
         [0036]    The memory module  60  also includes a face place  114 . A first side  116  of the face plate  114  includes an axle  118  and a stub  120 . The axle  118  is adapted to be held in an axial opening  122  defined on the memory arm  100 . The stub  120  is adapted to held in a stub opening  124  defined on the memory arm  100 . Therefore, the face plate  114  is fixed relative to the memory arm  100 . 
         [0037]    A first side  126  of the memory wheel  110  includes a spring space  128 . A wheel hub  130  is located at the axis of the memory wheel  110  within the spring space  128 . As shown in reference to  FIG. 9 , a second side  132  of the face plate  114  includes a face plate hub  134 . The face plate hub  134  is adapted to cooperate with the wheel hub  130  to allow the memory wheel  110  to rotate relative to the face plate  114  when the memory module  60  is assembled. The face plate  114  fits onto the memory wheel  110  such that the face plate  114  covers the spring space  128 . 
         [0038]    The memory wheel  110  also includes a clock spring  136 . The clock spring  136  is located within the spring space  128 . The clock spring  136  includes a first end  138  and a second end  140 . The first end  138  of the clock spring  136  is fixed relative to the memory wheel  110  at a wheel attachment point  142 . The second end  140  of the clock spring  136  is fixed relative to the face plate  114  at a face plate attachment point  144 . The operation of the clock spring  136  will be described in detail below. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a second side  146  of the memory wheel  110  includes threaded axle  148 . The threaded axle  148  is coaxial with the center of the memory wheel  110 . The second side  146  of the memory wheel  110  also includes a wheel end stop  150 . The wheel end stop  150  is a raised face generally perpendicular to the second side  146  of the memory wheel  110 . The wheel end stop  150  is generally parallel with the axis of the memory wheel  110 . It should be appreciated that the wheel end stop  150  may have a different configuration or orientation from that illustrated. Also, the memory wheel  110  may include more than one wheel end stop  150 . For example, there may be two wheel end stops located generally at opposite sides of the second side  146  of the memory wheel  110 . The function of the memory wheel end stop  150  will be described below. 
         [0040]    Referring back to  FIG. 8 , the memory module  60  also includes a memory nut  152 . The memory nut  152  is a piece of stamped steel, but may be made of other desired material and methods. The memory nut  152  includes a threaded opening  154 . The threaded opening is adapted to fit onto the threaded axle  148  of the memory wheel  110 . The memory nut  152  also includes a stop opening  156 . The stop opening  156  is adapted to fit onto a stop shaft  158 . The memory nut  152  is able to slide freely along the stop shaft  158 . The stop shaft  158  is adapted to be fixed relative to the memory arm  100  at a stop mount  160 . 
         [0041]    The memory nut  152  also includes a nut end stop  162 . The nut end stop  162  is a raised face generally perpendicular to memory nut  152 . The nut end stop  162  is generally parallel with the axis of the threaded opening  154 . It should be appreciated that the nut end stop  162  may have a different configuration or orientation from that illustrated. Also, the memory nut  152  may include more than one nut end stop  162 . There may be one nut end stop  162  to complement each wheel end stop  150 , although this is not required. The function of the nut end stop  162  will be described below. 
         [0042]    When the memory module  60  is assembled, the face plate  114  is secured relative to the memory arm  100  by the axle  118  and the stub  120 . The memory wheel  110  is connected for rotational movement relative to the face plate  114  by the cooperation of the wheel hub  130  and the face plate hub  134 . An outer end  164  of the threaded axle  148  is supported by rotational movement by the memory arm  100 . The memory nut  152  is supported by the threaded axle  148  and the stop shaft  158 . Because the memory nut  152  is supported by the stop shaft  158 , it is unable to rotate with the memory wheel  110 . Therefore, as the memory wheel  110  rotates the memory nut  152  slides along the stop shaft  158 , moving farther from or closer to the memory wheel  110  depending on which direction the memory wheel  110  is turning. The memory nut  152  is able to approach the memory wheel  110  until the nut end stop  162  engages the wheel end stop  150 . The engagement of these two faces prevents the memory nut  152  from moving any closer to the memory wheel  110 . It should be appreciated that this also prevents further rotation of the memory wheel  110  in the direction that would cause the memory nut  152  to approach the memory wheel  110 . Therefore, the memory nut  152  acts as a blocking mechanism to prevent rotation of the memory wheel  110  in a particular direction beyond a particular point. When the nut end stop  162  engages the wheel end stop  150 , the memory module  60  is said to be in the zero position. The clock spring  136  is pre tensioned when the memory module is in the zero position, although this is not necessary. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a cross sectional view of the memory module  60 . The cross section in  FIG. 10  is taken along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 7 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the memory module  60  is in the zero position. When the memory module  60  is activated, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the memory wheel  110  is moved so that the teeth  112  engage with openings in a track  166 . The location at which the teeth  112  engage the track  166  is the memory point. The track  166  is mounted relative to the first rail  18 . When the second rail  20  is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow  30 , the engagement of the teeth  112  with the track  166  causes the memory wheel  110  to rotate. The rotation of the memory wheel  110  causes rotation of the threaded axle  148 . The memory nut  152  is unable to rotate, and so it moves along the threaded axle  148  and the stop shaft  158 . The farther the second rail  20  is moved in the direction  30 , the farther the memory nut  152  will move from the memory wheel  110 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a cross sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 10 , but with the memory nut displaced a distance from the memory wheel. It should be appreciated that the memory wheel  110  is also rotating relative to the face plate  114 . As a result, the clock spring  136  is wound more tightly as the memory nut  152  is moved further from the memory wheel  110 . 
         [0044]    When the second rail  20  is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow  30 , the engagement of the teeth  112  with the track  166  causes the memory wheel  110  to rotate. The memory nut  152  will move along the threaded axle  148  back toward the memory wheel  110 . When the memory module reaches  60  the memory point, the wheel end stop  150  will engage the nut end stop  162 . The engagement of the two end stop will prevent further rotation of the memory wheel  110 . Since the memory wheel  110  is prevented from rotating, the engagement of the teeth  112  with the track  166  will prevent further movement of the second rail  12  in the direction  30   a.  Therefore, an operator of the seat will be able to identify the memory point, since it is the point at which the bucket seat  10  can no longer be moved in the direction  30   a.  It should be appreciated that the direction  30   a  will generally be the aft direction in a passenger vehicle. It should also be appreciated that the memory wheel  110  is also rotating relative to the face plate  114 . As a result, the clock spring  136  is wound less tightly as the memory nut  152  is moved closer to the memory wheel  110 . 
         [0045]    It should be appreciated that the back rest  14  of the bucket seat  10  may be moved from the dumped position to the raised position while the bucket seat  10  is not at the memory point. It that situation, the memory module  60  is not in the zero position and the wheel end stop  50  is not engaged with the nut end stop  162 . It should further be appreciated that the catch and memory assembly  24  will be in the condition illustrated in  FIG. 6 . When the comfort adjustment bar  28  is moved to adjust the bucket seat  10 , the memory module  60  will move to the memory deactivation position, as previously described in reference to  FIG. 7 . When the memory module  60  moves to the memory deactivation position, the teeth  112  of the memory wheel  110  no longer engage the track  166 . The clock spring  136  provides a biasing force between the memory wheel  110  and the face plate  114 . When the teeth  112  are no longer engaged with the track  116 , the force provided by the clock spring  136  will cause the memory wheel  110  to rotate relative to the face plate  114 . The rotation of the memory wheel  110  will cause the memory nut  152  to move closer to the memory wheel  110  until the wheel end stop  150  engages the nut end stop  162 . When the wheel end stop  150  engages the nut end stop  162 , the force provided by the clock spring  136  will not be able to rotate the memory wheel  110  any further. At this point the memory module  60  is in the zero position. 
         [0046]    Operation of the bucket seat  10  will now be described in order to clarify the operation of the seat track assembly  16  and the catch and memory assembly  24 . An occupant of the bucket seat  10  may use the comfort adjustment bar  28  to release the track lock assembly  54  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). This allows the occupant to move the bucket seat  10  fore and aft to a user-selected position. Use of the comfort adjustment bar  28  also releases the memory sled  40 , and sets the memory module  60  to the zero position. When the bucket seat  10  is at the user-selected position, the comfort adjustment bar  28  is released and the track lock assembly  54  engages. 
         [0047]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the illustrated bucket seat  10  includes a number of handles  168 . The handles  168  are included for illustrative purposes only, and are representative of various non-limiting options for actuating the mechanism (not shown) used to move the backrest to the dumped position. When a user wishes to gain access to the space behind the bucket seat  10 , one of the handles  168  may be used to actuate the easy entry. The handle  168  releases the backrest  14 , allowing it to move from its use position to a more forward, easy entry position. It should be appreciated that the backrest  14  may be biased toward the easy entry position, or may require the user to move it manually to the easy entry position. The movement of the backrest  14  to the easy entry position causes the Bowden cable  46  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) to apply a force to the activation bracket  34 . This force causes the activation bracket  34  to rotate in the direction  52 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the activation bracket  34  is shown in this rotated state. Rotation of the activation bracket  34  depresses the lock activation pin  56 , which disengages the track lock assembly  54 . This allows the bucket seat  10  to be moved fore and aft. It should be appreciated that the bucket seat  10  may be biased in a forward direction, in order to facilitate access to the space behind the bucket seat  10 . Rotation of the activation bracket  34  also moves the memory sled  40  in the direction  68 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The memory sled  40  activates the memory module  60  by causing the memory wheel  110  to engage the track  166 . The activation of the memory module  60  records the user-selected position of the bucket seat  10 . The bucket seat  10  may now be moved in the forward direction, indicated by arrow  30 . 
         [0049]    When it is desired to return the bucket seat  10  to its original posture, the backrest  14  is raised to its use position. When the backrest  14  is raised to its use position, the Bowden cable  46  no longer applies a force on the activation bracket  34 . Because the activation bracket  34  is biased by the tube spring  36 , it will rotate back to the position shown in  FIG. 6 . The activation bracket  34  is no longer depressing the lock activation pin  56 , and the track lock assembly  54  engages, preventing movement of the bucket seat  10 . 
         [0050]    Refer now back to  FIG. 10  regarding the specific operation of the memory module  60 . When the bucket seat  10  is at the user selected position and the easy entry is actuated, the memory module  60  is in the zero position, shown in  FIG. 10 . When the bucket seat  10  is moved forward of the user-selected position, the memory wheel  110  rotates, and the memory nut  152  is moved away from the memory wheel  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0051]    After easy entry is complete and the user wants to return the bucket seat  10  back to the user-selected position, the bucket seat  10  may be manually moved in the aft direction, as indicated by the arrow  30   a.  When the bucket seat  10  is moved in the aft direction, the memory nut  152  is moved back toward the memory wheel  110 , until the memory module  60  is at the zero position, illustrated in  FIG. 10 . At this point, the nut end stop  162  has engaged the wheel end stop  150  and the memory nut  152  cannot move any further toward the memory wheel  110 . This acts as the blocking mechanism to prevent further rotation of the memory wheel  110 . A rearward force applied to move the bucket seat  10  in the aft direction will be resisted by the memory module  60 . Because the teeth  112  of the memory wheel  110  are engaged with the track  166 , the rearward force will be supported by the teeth of the memory wheel. It should be appreciated that the memory module  60  only prevents rearward movement past the user-selected position, and the bucket seat  10  may be moved forward of the user-selected position, and rearward up to the user-selected position, without that movement being prevented by the memory module  60 . 
         [0052]    It should be appreciated that while the memory module  60  and the catch and memory assembly  24  have been described for use with a particular seat track assembly, the memory module  60  or the catch and memory assembly  24  may be used with any desired seat track assembly. 
         [0053]    The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.