초록 ▼

A compact latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly suitable for use in applications presenting a small design envelope, wherein one or more pawls are mounted on a seat-cushion member within an arcuate gear sector mounted on the other of the seat members so as to be simultaneously and sel

A compact latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly suitable for use in applications presenting a small design envelope, wherein one or more pawls are mounted on a seat-cushion member within an arcuate gear sector mounted on the other of the seat members so as to be simultaneously and selectively movable into and out of locking engagement with the gear sector so as to restrain pivotal folding of the backrest member relative to the seat-cushion member when secured in locking engagement, and so as to allow for pivotal folding of the backrest member relative to the seat-cushion member when removed out of locking engagement.

대표청구항 ▼

A latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another about a pivot axis between a folded and an unfolded operative position, the device comprising: a gear means comprising two circumferentially spaced gear sectors r

A latching device for use with a vehicle seat assembly having a first and a second seat member pivotally foldable relative to one another about a pivot axis between a folded and an unfolded operative position, the device comprising: a gear means comprising two circumferentially spaced gear sectors rigidly affixed to the first seat member so as to together define a first inturned arc whose notional axis is generally parallel to said pivot axis; a cam means journaled for rotation in the second seat member about a rotational axis arranged in generally parallel relation to said pivot axis and within said first inturned arc; two substantially congruent pawl actuator members each having first and second end portions, each pawl actuator member being pivotally mounted adjacent its first end portion on the second seat member, internal to said first inturned arc; each of the pawl actuator members being adapted to interact with the cam means upon controlled rotation of the cam means to selectively and simultaneously pivot the pawl actuator members between first and second limit positions; a rotational control means affixed to the cam means for effecting said controlled rotation thereof between a first and a second rotational orientation; a pawl means mounted on each pawl actuator member intermediate the respective first and second end portions of said pawl actuator member for movement therewith; whereby rotation of the cam means to the first rotational orientation causes the pawl actuator members to simultaneously pivot to their respective first limit positions whereat each respective pawl means lockingly engages a respective gear sector so as to restrain said pivotal folding of the first member relative to the second member; and, whereby rotation of the cam means to the second rotational orientation causes the pawl actuator members to simultaneously pivot to their respective said second limit positions, whereat the pawl means are disengaged from the respective gear sectors, so as to allow for pivotal folding of the first seat member relative to the second seat member.