Release handle and integrated warning device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10843590-B2
Application number	US-201916247878-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 15, 2019
Priority date	Jan 15, 2018
Publication date	Nov 24, 2020
Grant date	Nov 24, 2020

Abstract

A release lever assembly configured to unlock a lock mechanism of a seat assembly is provided. The release lever assembly may include a lever arm, a cable, and an indicator device. The lever arm may be pivotally connected to the seat assembly. The cable may include a first end that is configured to be fixed to the lever arm and a second end that is configured to be connected to the lock mechanism. The indicator device may extend from the first end of the cable so that when the release lever assembly is mounted on the seat assembly, the lever arm is rotatable to unlock the lock mechanism, and the indicator device is configured to extend out of an aperture defined by the seat assembly when the lock is unlocked.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A release lever assembly configured to unlock a lock mechanism of a seat assembly, the release lever assembly comprising:
a lever arm pivotally connectable to the seat assembly;
a cable including a first end configured to be fixed to the lever arm and a second end configured to be connected to the lock mechanism; and
an indicator device extending from the first end of the cable;
wherein, when the release lever assembly is mounted on the seat assembly, the lever arm is rotatable to unlock the lock mechanism, and the indicator device is configured to extend out of an aperture defined by the seat assembly when the lock mechanism is unlocked.

2. The release lever assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
a lever arm enclosure connectable to the seat assembly, wherein a first end of the lever arm is received by and pivotally connected to the lever arm enclosure, and wherein the lever arm defines an elongated grip portion that extends from the first end.

3. The release lever assembly of claim 2 , wherein the lever arm enclosure defines the aperture and the indicator device is configured to extend out of the aperture when the release lever assembly and the lock mechanism is unlocked.

4. The release lever assembly of claim 3 wherein the lever arm enclosure includes a curved peripheral wall that defines a curved inner surface that terminates at the aperture, wherein the indicator device comprises a semi-rigid material and is configured to lie along the inner surface when the lock mechanism is unlocked.

5. The release lever assembly of claim 4 wherein the indicator device is positioned relative to the aperture so that rotation of the lever arm is proportionally related to a distance the indicator device extends out of the aperture.

6. The release lever assembly of claim 3 wherein the lock mechanism includes a pawl and a cam operatively connected to the second end of the cable so that as the lever arm rotates the cam rotates and disengages the pawl to allow the lock mechanism to unlock.

7. The release lever assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
a second cable including a first end configured to be fixed to the lever arm and a second end configured to be connected to a second lock mechanism of the seat assembly; and
a second indicator device extending from the first end of the second cable;
wherein, when the release lever assembly is mounted on the seat assembly, the lever arm is rotatable to unlock the second lock mechanism, and the second indicator device is configured to extend out of a second aperture defined by the seat assembly when the second lock mechanism is unlocked.

8. A seat assembly comprising:
a latch mechanism; and
a handle assembly operatively connected to the latch mechanism, the handle assembly including;
a handle pivotally connected to a portion of the seat assembly;
a cable having a first end connected to the handle and a second end connected to the latch mechanism; and
an indicator device extending from the first end of the cable;
wherein the handle is rotatable to unlock the latch mechanism and to cause the indicator device to extend from an aperture defined by the seat assembly.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8 further comprising:
a handle enclosure connected to the portion of the seat, assembly wherein the handle enclosure receives the handle and defines the aperture.

10. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the handle includes a circular end and an elongated grip portion extending from the circular end, wherein the circular end is received by the handle enclosure.

11. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the handle enclosure includes sidewalls connected by a curved peripheral wall, the curved peripheral wall defines a curved inner surface that terminates at the aperture, and the indicator device is configured to lie along the curved inner surface when the latch mechanism is locked.

12. The seat assembly of claim 11 wherein the indicator device comprises a semi-rigid material so that a portion of the indicator device lies along the curved inner surface when the latch mechanism is unlocked.

13. The seat assembly of claim 8 wherein the latch mechanism includes:
a pawl configured to engage a striker when the latch mechanism is in a locked position; and
a cam configured to engage the pawl when the latch mechanism is in the locked position, wherein the cam is connected to the second end of the cable so that when the handle is rotated in one direction the cam is rotated to disengage the pawl to allow the latch mechanism to unlock.

14. The seat assembly of claim 13 further comprising:
a spring that biases the cam to engage the pawl when the latch mechanism is in the locked position.

15. A seat for use with a vehicle having an engagement member, the seat comprising:
a latch mechanism including a latch that is movable between first and second positions, wherein the latch is configured to be in a latched position with respect to the engagement member when the latch is in the first position, and the latch is configured to be in an unlatched position with respect to the engagement member when the latch is in the second position; and
a handle assembly operatively connected to the latch mechanism, the handle assembly including:
a handle enclosure that defines an indicator outlet;
a handle pivotally connected to the enclosure and rotatable in first and second opposite directions;
a cable having a first end connected to the handle and a second end connected to the latch mechanism; and
an indicator device extending from the first end of the cable;
wherein the handle is rotatable in the second direction to enable the latch to move toward the second position and to cause the indicator device to extend from the handle enclosure through the indicator outlet.

16. The seat of claim 15 , wherein the handle is pivotable through a first angle to move the indicator device towards the indicator outlet without moving the latch from the first position to the second position.

17. The seat of claim 15 , further comprising:
a seat bottom including a front crossmember and a rear crossmember;
a seatback connected to the rear crossmember of the seat bottom; and
a mounting bracket extending from the rear crossmember, wherein the handle enclosure and the handle are connected to the mounting bracket.

18. The seat of claim 17 , wherein the handle includes an elongated grip portion that extends towards the front crossmember when the handle is in a home position and the latch is in the first position.

19. The seat of claim 18 , wherein the handle is rotatable from the home position through a first angle so that a first portion of the indicator device extends through the indicator outlet.

20. The seat of claim 19 , wherein the handle is rotatable from the first angle through a second angle so that the first portion and a second portion of the indicator device extend through the indicator outlet.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Schulz Alexander
• Kubatka Marian
• Ruthmann Christian
• Sternberg Jörg

Classifications

• B60N2/28

  Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats {or other parts} of the vehicle · CPC title

• B60N2/01508

  using quick release attachments · CPC title

• B60N2/01583 Primary

  locking on transversal elements on the vehicle floor or rail, e.g. transversal rods · CPC title

• E05B41/00

  Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked {(indicator lights E05B17/10)} · CPC title

• B60N2/01516

  with locking mechanisms · CPC title