IP Library Granted Patent US 7,628,449
Granted Patent B2
US 7,628,449 · App. 11/816,579 · Granted Dec 8, 2009

Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,628,449
App. No.
11/816,579
Granted
Dec 8, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat is provided that includes a seat part structure ( 3 ), at least one backrest support ( 8 ) which is hingedly connected to the seat part structure ( 3 ) in a blockable manner by means of at least one fitting ( 7 ), and a backrest structure ( 4 ) that is hingedly connected to the backrest support ( 8 ) with the aid of a joint ( 18 ) and can be blocked along with the backrest support ( 8 ) by means of a blocking mechanism ( 22 ). The vehicle seat ( 1 ) can be transferred from an operative sitting position into a flat inoperative position by unblocking and swiveling the backrest support ( 8 ) and/or the backrest structure ( 4 ), the unblocked backrest structure ( 4 ) swiveling forward and the unblocked backrest support ( 8 ) swiveling rearward during the transition from the operative into the inoperative position. The backrest support ( 8 ) is unblocked in a force-controlled manner by swiveling the backrest structure ( 4 ).

Claims (66)

1. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seat part structure;

a fitting;

a backrest support pivotably attached to the seat part structure by means of the fitting;

a joint;

a backrest structure pivotably attached to the backrest support by means of the joint;

a locking device for locking the backrest structure to the backrest support, so that the vehicle seat can be converted from a seated use position to a flat non-use position by unlocking and pivoting the backrest support and/or the backrest structure the backrest structure pivoting forwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position and the unlocked backrest support pivoting backwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position, wherein when the transition is made from the use position to the non-use position, initially only the locking device is unlocked and the backrest structure pivots which, in an intermediate position in a certain pivot angle range, positively engages the fitting; and

positive control means for a positively controlled unlocking of the backrest support by the pivoting of the backrest structure.

2. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the positive control means comprises a coupling element provided between the backrest structure and a first actuating element of the fitting.

3. A vehicle seat according to claim 2 , wherein the coupling element provides a free travel path that is traversed in a certain pivot angle range of the backrest structure causing the coupling element to come into play.

4. A vehicle seat according to claim 3 , wherein in order to achieve the free travel path, the backrest structure or the first actuating element has a pin, and the coupling element has a slot cooperating therewith at the associated end.

5. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 , further comprising: springs and/or a geared connection for matching the movements of the unlocked backrest structure and of the unlocked backrest support to one another.

6. A vehicle seat according to claim 5 , wherein in a particular pivot angle range of the backrest structure one of the springs passes through a dead center position.

7. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein in the non-use position the joint is arranged at a lower point than the fitting.

8. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein in the non-use position a depression in the vehicle structure at least partially accepts a backrest comprising the backrest support, the backrest structure and the upholstery thereof.

9. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein in the use position, the inclination of the backrest structure can be adjusted by means of the fitting.

10. A vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the seat part structure comprises a seat cushion structure pivotable from a use position into a non-use position, relative to a base, by means of at least one rocker, or directly around a pivot axis.

11. A vehicle seat according to claim 10 , wherein the pivoting from the use position into the non-use position is accomplished by pretension that is built up by springs between the base and a seat cushion structure, as soon as the backrest structure has reached a certain intermediate position.

12. A vehicle and seat combination comprising:

a vehicle;

a seat connected to the vehicle, the seat comprising:

a seat part structure;

a fitting;

a backrest support pivotably attached to the seat part structure by means of the fitting;

a joint;

a backrest structure pivotably attached to the backrest support by means of the joint;

a locking device for locking the backrest structure to the backrest support, so that the vehicle seat can be converted from a seated use position to a flat non-use position by unlocking and pivoting the backrest support and/or the backrest structure the backrest structure pivoting forwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position and the unlocked backrest support pivoting backwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position; and

unlocking means for changing the connection state of the backrest support from a blocked state in the use position to an unblocked state allowing pivoting movement of the backrest support to the non-use position by the pivoting of the backrest structure, the unlocking means providing a controlled positive connection between the backrest structure and the backrest support, said unlocking means comprising a coupling element provided between the backrest structure and a first actuating element of the fitting, the actuating element of the fitting releasing the backrest support connection state from a blocked state in the use position to an unblocked state allowing pivoting movement of the backrest support, wherein when the transition is made from the use position to the non-use position, initially only the locking device is unlocked and the backrest structure pivots which, in an intermediate position in a certain pivot angle range, positively engages the fitting via the coupling element.

13. A vehicle and seat combination according to claim 12 , wherein the coupling element is mounted to provide a free travel path that is traversed in a certain pivot angle range of the backrest structure causing the coupling element to come into play, the backrest structure or the first actuating element has a pin, and the coupling element has a slot cooperating therewith at the associated end to define a free travel path.

14. A vehicle and seat combination according to claim 13 , further comprising: springs and/or a geared connection for matching the movements of the unblocked backrest structure and of the unlocked backrest support to one another wherein in a particular pivot angle range of the backrest structure one of the springs passes through a dead center position.

15. A vehicle and seat combination according to claim 12 , wherein the vehicle comprises a structure surface defining a depression and wherein in the non-use position the depression at least partially accepts a portion of one or more of the backrest support, the backrest structure and the upholstery thereof.

16. A vehicle and seat combination according to claim 12 , wherein the seat part structure comprises a seat cushion structure pivotable from a use position into a non-use position, relative to a base, by means of at least one rocker, or directly around a pivot axis.

17. A vehicle and seat combination according to claim 16 , wherein the pivoting from the use position into the non-use position is accomplished by pretension that is built up by springs between the base, and a seat cushion structure, as soon as the backrest structure has reached a certain intermediate position.

18. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seat part structure;

a fitting;

a backrest support pivotably attached to the seat part structure by means of the fitting;

a joint;

a backrest structure pivotably attached to the backrest support by means of the joint;

a locking device for locking the backrest structure to the backrest support, so that the vehicle seat can be converted from a seated use position to a flat non-use position by unlocking and pivoting the backrest support and/or the backrest structure, the backrest structure pivoting forwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position and the unlocked backrest support pivoting backwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position; and

positive control means for a positively controlled unlocking of the backrest support by the pivoting of the backrest structure, said positive control means comprising a coupling element provided between the backrest structure and a first actuating element of the fitting, said coupling element providing a free travel path that is traversed in a certain pivot angle range of the backrest structure causing the coupling element to come into play.

19. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seat part structure;

a fitting;

a backrest support pivotably attached to the seat part structure by means of the fitting;

a joint;

a backrest structure pivotably attached to the backrest support by means of the joint;

a locking device for locking the backrest structure to the backrest support, so that the vehicle seat can be converted from a seated use position to a flat non-use position by unlocking and pivoting the backrest support and/or the backrest structure, the backrest structure pivoting forwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position and the unlocked backrest support pivoting backwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position;

springs and/or a geared connection for matching the movements of the unlocked backrest structure and of the unlocked backrest support to one another, wherein in a particular pivot angle range of the backrest structure one of the springs passes through a dead center position; and

positive control means for a positively controlled unlocking of the backrest support by the pivoting of the backrest structure.

20. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seat part structure;

a fitting;

a backrest support pivotably attached to the seat part structure by means of the fitting;

a joint;

a backrest structure pivotably attached to the backrest support by means of the joint;

a locking device for locking the backrest structure to the backrest support, so that the vehicle seat can be converted from a seated use position to a flat non-use position by unlocking and pivoting the backrest support and/or the backrest structure, the backrest structure pivoting forwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position and the unlocked backrest support pivoting backwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position, wherein in the non-use position the joint is arranged at a lower point than the fitting; and

positive control means for a positively controlled unlocking of the backrest support by the pivoting of the backrest structure.

21. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seat part structure, said seat part structure comprising a seat cushion structure pivotable from a use position into a non-use position, relative to a base, by means of at least one rocker, or directly around a pivot axis;

a fitting;

a backrest support pivotably attached to the seat part structure by means of the fitting;

a joint;

a backrest structure pivotably attached to the backrest support by means of the joint, wherein the pivoting from the use position into the non-use position is accomplished by pretension that is built up by springs between the base and said seat cushion structure, as soon as the backrest structure has reached a certain intermediate position;

a locking device for locking the backrest structure to the backrest support, so that the vehicle seat can be converted from a seated use position to a flat non-use position by unlocking and pivoting the backrest support and/or the backrest structure, the backrest structure pivoting forwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position and the unlocked backrest support pivoting backwards, in an unlocked state in transition from the use position to the non-use position; and

positive control means for a positively controlled unlocking of the backrest support by the pivoting of the backrest structure.

Assignments (8)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2023
From: CNI ENTERPRISES, INC.; ADIENT US LLC
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063085/0391 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN IP Recorded Nov 17, 2022
From: ADIENT US LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061956/0301 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2022
From: ADIENT GLOBAL HOLDINGS LTD.
To: ADIENT US LLC
Reel/Frame 059086/0636 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2022
From: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
To: ADIENT GLOBAL HOLDINGS LTD.
Reel/Frame 058751/0678 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS METALS HOLDING LTD. & CO. KG
To: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A R.L.
Reel/Frame 055170/0455 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 11, 2021
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS METALS HOLDING LTD. & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 055001/0193 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 25, 2020
From: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 054700/0367 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2007
From: HARTH, DIETER
To: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 019712/0063 →