Patent Publication Number: US-2003234552-A1

Title: Adjustable striker wheel

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to adjustable striker mechanisms and more particularly to an improved adjustable striker mechanism for seat assemblies.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] In automotive applications, it is increasingly desirable that a vehicle be capable of accommodating varying requirements, such as cargo carrying and the like. It is further desirable that a vehicle be capable of accommodating varying requirements with respect to occupant comfort. To that end, reconfiguration of the vehicle seating system plays a significant role. Generally speaking, articulation of a seatback enables a vehicle interior to be configurable for accommodating cargo-carrying needs and to provide occupant comfort. Latching mechanisms are often used to selectively anchor a seatback to a stationary striker assembly, thereby securing the seat back to a vehicle structure. In such a system, a conventional latching mechanism cooperates with a stationary striker to provide the seat back with one of either a latched position or an unlatched position. In the latched position the seat back is secured to the vehicle structure in a fixed relationship. In the unlatched position the seat back is free to be dumped forward or folded flat. Current striker assemblies suffer from the disadvantage that they only allow for the seat back to be latched in a single position, thereby hampering occupant comfort.  
       [0003] In addition to limiting occupant comfort, stationary striker assemblies also limit the flexibility of a cargo area of a vehicle located behind a vehicle seat. Current seating systems accommodate large cargo by folding the seat back in a substantially fold flat position such that the seat back is generally parallel to the seat bottom. In other current systems, the seat back is again folded flat, and together with the seat bottom, the seat back is articulated or dumped forward, thereby increasing the cargo area of the vehicle. Current systems, while adequately providing for increased cargo areas in a vehicle, do not provide for occupant use of a seat when increased cargo capacity is required.  
       [0004] Therefore a striker assembly that provides for angular adjustment of a seat back in a plurality of positions relative to the seat bottom and securely latches a seat to a vehicle structure when in a latched position is desirable in the industry. Furthermore, providing increased cargo-carrying capability in the cargo area of a vehicle while still maintaining use of the vehicle seat is also desirable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides an adjustment mechanism, comprising a main pivot adapted for attachment to a vehicle body, a body rotatably supported by the main pivot, a locking assembly operably supported by the body, a cam plate rotatably supported by the main pivot and in operable communication with the locking assembly to selectively lock the body in a plurality of positions relative to the main pivot.  
       [0006] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
     [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustment mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
     [0009]FIG. 2 a  is an exploded view of the adjustment mechanism of FIG. 1;  
     [0010]FIG. 2 b  is a more detailed exploded view of certain components of FIG. 2 a;    
     [0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustment mechanism with part of a body removed to show the internal components of the adjustment mechanism in the locked position;  
     [0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustment mechanism with part of a body removed to show the internal components of the adjustment mechanism in the locked position;  
     [0013]FIG. 5 is a side view of the adjustment mechanism with part of a body removed to show the adjustment mechanism in a first locked position;  
     [0014]FIG. 6 is a side view of the adjustment mechanism with part of a body removed to show the adjustment mechanism in an unlocked position;  
     [0015]FIG. 7 is a side view of the adjustment mechanism with part of a body removed to show the adjustment mechanism in a second locked position;  
     [0016]FIG. 8 is a side view of the adjustment mechanism in a seat assembly;  
     [0017]FIG. 9 is a side view of the adjustment mechanism in a first locked position and a seat assembly in a first position;  
     [0018]FIG. 10 is a side view of the adjustment mechanism in a second locked position and a seat assembly in a second position; and  
     [0019]FIG. 11 is a side view of the adjustment mechanism in a third locked position and a seat assembly in a third position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0020] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
     [0021] With reference to the drawings, an adjustment mechanism  10  is provided and includes a cam plate  12 , a locking assembly  14 , a main pivot  16  and a body  18 . The locking assembly  14  and cam plate  12  are in operable communication with one another and are supported by the body  18  and the main pivot  16 . The body  18  includes first and second striker plates  20 , 22  between which the various components are disposed.  
     [0022] An actuation member  24  is provided to selectively actuate the cam plate  12 , in turn selectively actuating the locking assembly  14 . The actuation member  24  includes first and second faces  26 , 28  and a plurality of engagement arms  30 . The first face  26  includes centrally disposed axial recess  32  having an attachment aperture  34  formed therethrough for receiving a cover bolt  36 . The second face  28  includes an inner extrusion  38  having a reaction face. In the preferred embodiment, the actuation member  24  includes three engagement arms  30  extending therefrom, each having an engagement face along its length for interaction with the body  18  as will be discussed further below.  
     [0023] The cam plate  12  is in operable communication with the actuation member  24  and the locking assembly  14  and includes an attachment aperture  40 , a spring aperture  42  for attachment of a cam return spring  44 , a cam slot  46 , and an engagement face  48  disposed generally opposite the attachment aperture  40 . As best shown in FIG. 4, the cam slot  46  is a generally L-shaped slot and includes a first and second end  50 , 52 , each having a reaction face. The attachment aperture  40  is received by the main pivot  16  for rotational attachment thereto.  
     [0024] The cam return spring  44  biases the cam plate  12  into positioning the locking assembly  14  in a locked position as described in more detail below. The cam return spring  44  includes a first and second end  54 , 56  having attachment posts  58 , 60  integrally formed thereon. As best shown in FIG. 3, the first end  54  includes the first attachment post  58  for attachment to the spring aperture  42  of the cam plate  12  while the second end  56  includes the second attachment post  60  for attachment to a spring anchor  62 .  
     [0025] The spring anchor  62  is a substantially cylindrical member having coaxial first and second cylindrical sections  64 , 66  while the second cylindrical section  66  matingly receives the main pivot  16 , the first cylindrical section  64  has a constant cross-section along its length and receives a first bushing  68  for interaction with the second striker plate  22 . The second cylindrical section  66  includes an axial flange  70  and integral feet  74 , 76 . The axial flange  70  has a spring aperture  72  formed therethrough for receiving the second post  60  of the cam return spring  44 . The integral feet  74 , 76  extending laterally from the cylindrical section  66  for interaction with the main pivot  16 .  
     [0026] The locking assembly  14  is in operable communication with the cam plate  12  and the body  18  and generally includes a slider plate  78  and a sector plate  80 . The slider plate  78  includes a slider post  82 , a locking flange  84 , and an attachment aperture  86  formed therethrough. The attachment aperture  86  is received by the main pivot  16  for slidable attachment thereto and includes first and second reaction surfaces  88 , 90  and first and second engagement faces  91 , 92 . The slider post  82  is a substantially cylindrical member disposed generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of slider plate  78 , includes a bearing surface  93 , and is integrally formed on the slider plate  78 . While the present invention discloses a slider post  82  integrally formed on the slider plate  78 , it should be noted that a slider post  82  and slider plate  78  as separate members fixedly assembled by suitable means should be considered within the scope of the invention. The locking flange  84  is disposed adjacent the base of the slider post  82  and includes an engagement face  94 .  
     [0027] As best seen in FIG. 2 b,  the sector plate  80  is a generally flat plate having attachment apertures  96  and a central aperture  98  formed therethrough. Attachment rivets  100  are provided and are received through the attachment apertures  96  for fixedly attaching the sector plate  80  to the first striker plate  20 . The inner diameter surface of the sector plate  80  defining the central aperture  98  includes a plurality of locking recesses  102 , each having an engagement face  104 . Further, the inner diameter surface defining the central aperture  98  includes a plurality of intermediate surfaces  106  each having a reaction surface  108 .  
     [0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b,  the main pivot  16  is an elongate body having a generally cylindrical shape and supports the body  18 , locking assembly  14  and actuation member  24  thereon. The main pivot  16  further includes first and second ends  110 , 112 , and first  114 , second  116 , third  118 , fourth  120 , and fifth  122  cylindrical sections.  
     [0029] The first end  110  of the main pivot  16  includes an axial flange  124  for engagement with a striker mounting bracket  126 . In one embodiment, the striker mounting bracket  126  is a circular disk with a central recess  128  having a central aperture  130  formed therethrough for mating engagement with the first cylindrical section  114 . The axial flange  124  of the main pivot  16  is received into the axial recess  128  of the striker mounting bracket  126 , whereby the aperture  130  of the mounting bracket  126  matingly receives the first cylindrical section  114  of the main pivot  16 . The first cylindrical section  114  of the main pivot  16  includes flats  132 , 134  for mating engagement with flats  136 , 138  of the striker mounting bracket  128  to prevent relative rotation thereof. While the present invention discloses a striker mounting bracket  126  as a separate member, the striker mounting bracket  126  may be integrally formed on the main pivot  16  for attachment to a vehicle or other structure.  
     [0030] The second cylindrical  116  section of the main pivot  16  is disposed between the first and third cylindrical sections  114 , 118 , having a smaller cross-sectional diameter than that of the first cylindrical section  114  and a larger cross-sectional diameter than that of the third cylindrical section  118 , and serves to provide clearance between the first striker plate  20  and the striker mounting bracket  126 . The difference in cross-sectional diameter between the second and third cylindrical sections  116 , 118  forms a ridge  140  at their junction to create an engagement surface  144  for receiving a second bushing  142 .  
     [0031] The fourth cylindrical section  120  of the main pivot  16  includes two flats  146 , 148  having reaction faces  150 , 152  for slidable engagement with the slider plate  78 . Flats  146 , 148  further engage feet  74 , 76  of spring anchor  62  to prevent rotation of the spring anchor  62  relative to the main pivot  16 . The fourth cylindrical section  120  also includes first and second arcuate surfaces  154 , 156  having bearing surfaces  158 , 160  for rotational engagement with the cam plate  12 . The fourth cylindrical section  120  is disposed between the third cylindrical section  118  and the fifth cylindrical section  122 , having a smaller cross-sectional diameter than that of the third cylindrical section  118  and a larger cross-sectional diameter than that of the fifth cylindrical section  122 . The difference in cross-section between the fourth and fifth cylindrical sections  120 , 122  forms a ridge  162  at their junction for receiving and supporting the spring anchor  62 .  
     [0032] The fifth cylindrical section  122  of the main pivot  16  has a uniform cross-section along its length and mounts the spring anchor  62  thereon. The fifth cylindrical section  122  is disposed at the second end  112  of the main pivot  16  and includes a threaded bore  164  for mating engagement with a cover bolt  36 .  
     [0033] The body  18  includes first and second striker plates  20 , 22 , strikers  180 , and sector rivets  100 . In one embodiment, the first striker plate  20  has three extensions  168 , 170 , 172  having varying lengths and engagement faces radiating from a main pivot aperture  174 . Further, the first striker plate  20  includes striker apertures  176  disposed at a distal end of each extension  168 , 170 , 172  and attachment apertures  178  formed around the main pivot aperture  174 .  
     [0034] The first striker plate  20  is fixedly attached to the second striker plate  22  by strikers  180  with the locking assembly  14 , cam plate  12 , spring anchor  62 , and cam return spring  44  disposed therebetween. Each striker  180  includes a central cylindrical bearing surface  182  flanked by two cylindrical sections  184 , 186  received into striker apertures  176  of the first and second striker plates  20 , 22  respectively. The first striker plate  20  includes the second bushing  142  and is rotatably received by the third cylindrical section  118  of the main pivot  16 . The second bushing  142  interfaces between the main pivot aperture  174  of the first striker plate  20  and the main pivot  16 . The second striker plate  22  is similarly attached to the fifth cylindrical section  122  of the main pivot  16  and includes the first bushing  68  for interaction between the main pivot aperture  188  of the second striker plate  22  and the first cylindrical section  64  of the spring anchor  62 . Further, the main aperture  188  of the second striker plate  22  rotatably receives the inner extrusion  38  of the actuation member  24  with a washer  190  disposed therebetween. The second striker plate  22  is substantially similar to the first striker plate  20  whereby like components have been identified in the description and in the drawings with like reference numerals.  
     [0035] With particular reference to FIGS.  5 - 7 , the operation of the adjustment mechanism  10  will be described in detail. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism  10  allows for three rotational positions of the body  18  relative to the main pivot  16  and is selectively actuated by a force applied to the actuation member  24  of the adjustment mechanism  10  to toggle the adjustment mechanism  10  between an locked and an unlocked position.  
     [0036] Applying a force to the actuation member  24  causes the actuation member  24  to rotate in a second rotational direction (forward direction) about the fifth cylindrical section  122  of the main pivot  16 , subsequently causing the engagement face of the inner extrusion  38  to react with the engagement face  48  of the cam plate  12 . Further rotation of the actuation member  24  induces rotation of the cam plate  12  about the fourth cylindrical section  120  of the main pivot  16 , causing the cam plate  12  to be biased by the cam return spring  44  in a first rotational direction and causing the cam slot  46  to rotate such that the slider post  82  moves away from engagement with the first end  50  of the cam slot  46 . Continued rotation of the cam plate  12  forces the slider post  82  to travel along the cam slot  46  until sufficiently rotated such that the slider post  82  contacts the second end  52  of the cam slot  46 .  
     [0037] Movement of the slider post  82  from the first end  50  of the cam slot  46  to the second end  52  of the cam slot  46  causes the slider plate  78  to slide along the flats  146 , 148  of the fourth cylindrical section  120  of the main pivot  16  until the first reaction surface  88  of the slider plate  78  contacts the first arcuate surface  154  of the fourth cylindrical section  120  of the main pivot  16 . Movement of the slider plate  78  to a position such that the slider plate  78  contacts the first arcuate surface  154  of the fourth cylindrical section  120  of the main pivot  16  disengages the engagement face  94  of the locking flange  84  from a reaction face  104  of one of the locking recesses  102  of the sector plate  80 , thereby disengaging the slider plate  78  from the sector plate  80 , and allowing the body  18  to rotate relative to the main pivot  16  and the slider plate  78 .  
     [0038] Rotation of the body  18  is now allowed and is accomplished through further rotation of the actuation member  24  in the second rotational direction (forward direction). Once the slider plate  78  is disengaged from the sector plate  80 , further rotation of the actuation member  24  in the second rotational direction causes the engagement faces of the engagement arms  30  to contact the engagement faces of the first and second striker plates  20 , 22  and further causes the inner extrusion  38  of the actuation member  24  to disengage the cam plate  12  thereby allowing the cam return spring  44  to bias the cam plate  12  in the first rotational direction. Further rotation of the actuation member  24  in the second rotational direction will now cause the first and second striker plates  20 , 22  to rotate, subsequently rotating the body  18  and the sector plate  80  relative to the slider plate  78  and the main pivot  16 .  
     [0039] Rotation of the body  18  causes the locking flange  84  to move from a position just under a locking recess  102  to engagement with one of the intermediate surfaces  106  of the sector plate  80  as best shown in FIGS.  5 - 7 . The locking flange  84  is held in slidable engagement with the intermediate surface  106  of the sector plate  80  due to the bias of the cam return spring  44  on the cam plate  12 . Further rotation of the actuation member  24  in the second rotational direction causes the body  18  to rotate until the locking flange  84  is a again in a position to engage a locking recess  102  of the sector plate  80 . At this point, the cam return spring  44  again biases the cam plate  12  in the first rotational direction and subsequently causes the cam plate  12  to rotate, thereby causing the slider post  82  to disengage from the second end  52  of the cam slot  46  and to travel along the cam slot  46  to the first end  50  of the cam slot  46 . The movement of the slider post  82  in the cam slot  46  causes the slider plate  78  to again slide along the flat sides  146 , 148  of the fourth cylindrical section  120  of the main pivot  16  until the second reaction surface  90  contacts the second arcuate surface  156  of the fourth cylindrical section  120 . At this point, the engagement face  94  of the locking flange  84  is again in contact with an engagement face  104  of one of the locking recesses  102 . At this point, the adjustment mechanism  10  is returned to a locked position.  
     [0040] In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism  10  is an adjustable striker assembly  200  including a body  18  having a plurality of extensions  168 , 170 , 172 , each having a different length, thereby providing for a plurality of striker locations through rotation of the body  18  relative to the main pivot  16 . As shown in FIG. 8, the adjustable striker assembly  200  is fixedly attached to a vehicle structure  204  through the striker mounting bracket  126 . Further, a seat  206  is provided having a seat bottom  208 , a seat pivot  210 , and a seat back  212  having a latch mechanism  214  mounted thereto. The adjustable striker assembly  200  provides a means for the latch mechanism  214  to attach to the vehicle structure  204 .  
     [0041] The bearing surfaces  182  of the strikers  180  interact with the latch mechanism  214  to selectively attach the seat back  212  to the vehicle structure  204 . As best shown in FIGS.  9 - 11 , the adjustable striker assembly  200  provides for a plurality of seatback  212  positions relative to the seat bottom  208 . Rotation of the seat back  212  relative to the seat bottom  208  is achieved through rotation of the seat back  212  about the seat pivot  210 . The adjustable striker assembly  200  allows the seat back  212  to be selectively positioned in a number of angled positions as shown in FIGS.  9 - 11  and indicated by α, β, and, ψ respectively. Each position of the seat back  212  is achieved through different positions of the adjustable striker assembly  200  while adjustment of the striker  180  position is achieved through rotation of the body  18  as described above, until the desired extension  168 , 170 , 172  length is achieved. In one embodiment, the adjustable striker assembly  200  provides for three different striker  180  positions as achieved by the varying lengths of the striker extensions  168 , 170 , 172 . While the present invention provides three adjustment positions, it should be noted that an increase or decrease of the number of adjustment positions is anticipated and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0042] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.