Track adjuster

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10744908-B2
Application number	US-201815877923-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 23, 2018
Priority date	Mar 23, 2017
Publication date	Aug 18, 2020
Grant date	Aug 18, 2020

Abstract

A track adjuster includes a first pair of tracks, a first lockset that may be configured to selectively restrict movement of the first pair of tracks, a second pair of tracks, and a second lockset configured that may be configured to selectively restrict movement of the second pair of tracks. The first lockset may be a first type of lockset and the second lockset may be a second type of lockset. The first lockset may include a positive engagement locking lockset. The second lockset may include a pawl-type lockset.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A track adjuster, comprising:
a first pair of tracks;
a first lockset configured to selectively restrict movement of the first pair of tracks;
a second pair of tracks; and
a second lockset configured to selectively restrict movement of the second pair of tracks;
wherein the first lockset is a first type of lockset having a first set of pins moveable in a transverse direction to the first pair of tracks and the second lockset is a second type of lockset having a plurality of lock plates moveable about a longitudinal axis of the second pair of tracks
wherein the second lockset is coupled with a first track of the second pair of tracks;
wherein a first track of the first pair of tracks and the first track of the second pair of tracks include a first set of positions and a second set of positions relative to a second track of the first pair of tracks and a second track of the second pair of tracks, respectively;
wherein engagement recesses of the second track of the second pair of tracks are configured such that in the first set of positions, the plurality of lock plates of the second lockset are aligned to engage the second track of the second pair of tracks, and, in the second set of positions, the plurality of lock plates of the second lockset are not aligned to engage the second track of the second pair of tracks; and
wherein the first lockset is configured such that in the second set of positions, the first track of the first pair of tracks is permitted to shift to an adjacent position in the first set of positions to align the plurality of lock plates for engagement with the second track of the second pair of tracks.

2. The track adjuster of claim 1 , wherein the first lockset includes a positive engagement locking lockset.

3. The track adjuster of claim 1 , wherein the first set of pins includes a tapered configuration and a second set of pins of the first lockset includes a straight configuration.

4. The track adjuster of claim 3 , wherein the second set of pins includes a first pin and a second pin; and the first set of pins includes a tapered pin disposed between the first pin and the second pin.

5. The track adjuster of claim 4 , wherein the first set of pins includes a second tapered pin disposed between the first pin and the second pin.

6. The track adjuster of claim 1 , wherein the first lockset includes a housing and a bracket connecting the housing with a movable track of the first pair of tracks.

7. The track adjuster of claim 6 , wherein each pin of the first set of pins and a second set of pins of the first lockset are disposed at least partially in a recess of the bracket.

8. The track adjuster of claim 7 , wherein each pin of the first set of pins and the second set of pins are disposed at least partially in an aperture of the housing.

9. The track adjuster of claim 1 , including a cross member configured to actuate the first lockset and the second lockset, wherein the cross member includes a connecting member and is connected to a movable track of the second pair of tracks via a mounting bracket; and the mounting bracket includes a first connector, a second connector, a first aperture for receiving a bearing to facilitate rotation of the cross member, and a second aperture for receiving the connecting member to limit rotation of the cross member.

10. The track adjuster of claim 1 , wherein each pin of the first set of pins and a second set of pins of the first lockset is configured to move independently of each other pin.

11. The track adjuster of claim 1 , wherein the first lockset includes a plurality of biasing members, each biasing member configured to bias a respective pin of the first set of pins and a second set of pins of the first lockset.

12. The track adjuster of claim 1 , wherein the second lockset includes a pawl-type lockset.

13. The track adjuster of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lock plates each have a plurality of teeth.

14. A track adjuster, comprising:
a first pair of tracks;
a first lockset configured to selectively restrict movement of the first pair of tracks;
a second pair of tracks;
a second lockset configured to selectively restrict movement of the second pair of tracks; and
a cross member configured to actuate the first lockset and the second lockset,
wherein the first lockset is a first type of lockset having a first set of pins moveable in a transverse direction to the first pair of tracks and the second lockset is a second type of lockset having a plurality of lock plates moveable about a longitudinal axis of the second pair of tracks;
wherein the cross member is connected to a movable track of the second pair of tracks via a mounting bracket; the mounting bracket includes a substantially horizontal portion connected to the movable track; the mounting bracket includes a substantially vertical portion extending from the substantially horizontal portion; the substantially vertical portion includes a first aperture for receiving a bearing and a second aperture through which a connecting member of the cross member extends; and the mounting bracket includes a flange configured to limit rotation of the cross member.

15. A track adjuster, comprising:
a first pair of tracks;
a first lockset configured to selectively restrict movement of the first pair of tracks;
a second pair of tracks including a bracket having a first aperture and a second aperture;
a second lockset configured to selectively restrict movement of the second pair of tracks; and
a cross member connected to the first and second apertures of the bracket,
wherein the first lockset is a first type of lockset and the second lockset is a second type of lockset.

16. The track adjuster of claim 15 , wherein the second lockset is coupled with a first track of the second pair of tracks.

17. The track adjuster of claim 16 , wherein a first track of the first pair of tracks and the first track of the second pair of tracks include a first set of positions and a second set of positions relative to a second track of the first pair of tracks and a second track of the second pair of tracks, respectively.

18. The track adjuster of claim 17 , wherein engagement recesses of the second track of the second pair of tracks are configured such that in the first set of positions, a plurality of lock plates of the second lockset are aligned to engage the second track of the second pair of tracks, and, in the second set of positions, the plurality of lock plates of the second lockset are not aligned to engage the second track of the second pair of tracks.

19. The track adjuster of claim 18 , wherein the first lockset is configured such that in the second set of positions, the first track of the first pair of tracks is permitted to shift to an adjacent position in the first set of positions.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Laumeier Marc
• Wojatzki Michael
• Gam Wee Tzee
• Farquhar Mark A
• Wroblewski Krzysztof

Classifications

• B60N2/06 Primary

  slidable (B60N2/12 {, B60N2/2209} take precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/0825

  outside the rail · CPC title

• B60N2/929

  linear · CPC title

• B60N2/0881

  Activation of the latches by the control mechanism · CPC title

• B60N2/08 Primary

  characterised by the locking device · CPC title