Track assembly for use in vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10926668-B2
Application number	US-201916424824-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 29, 2019
Priority date	May 29, 2019
Publication date	Feb 23, 2021
Grant date	Feb 23, 2021

Abstract

A track assembly is provided that includes a track operably coupled with a floor pan. A rail cartridge is slidably coupled with the track. The rail cartridge includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines a receiving well. A connection cartridge is operably coupled with a seat base. The connection cartridge includes an interface member and defines a slot. The upper portion of the rail cartridge is received within the slot. The interface member is received within the receiving well of the rail cartridge. A latch mechanism includes a release lever and a tab. The release lever is configured to selectively lower the tab to open the receiving well of the rail cartridge.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A track assembly for a vehicle seating assembly, comprising:
a track operably coupled with a floor pan;
a rail cartridge slidably coupled with the track, wherein the rail cartridge includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a receiving well;
a connection cartridge operably coupled with a seat base, the connection cartridge including an interface member and defining a slot, wherein the upper portion of the rail cartridge is received within the slot, and further wherein the interface member is received within the receiving well of the rail cartridge; and
a latch mechanism including a release lever and a tab, wherein the release lever is configured to selectively lower the tab to open the receiving well of the rail cartridge.

2. The track assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first electrical connector coupled with an end of the rail cartridge; and
a second electrical connector coupled with the connection cartridge, wherein the first electrical connector is configured to engage with the second electrical connector.

3. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection cartridge includes first and second sidewalls spaced apart by a top wall, and further wherein the connection cartridge defines an opening.

4. The track assembly of claim 3 , wherein the latch mechanism extends upward from the rail cartridge, and further wherein the latch mechanism is positioned to extend through the opening of the connection cartridge.

5. The track assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a locking pin extending through a first pair of receiving apertures defined by the connection cartridge, wherein the locking pin further extends through a second pair of receiving apertures defined by the upper portion of the rail cartridge.

6. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism is rotatable so that the release lever is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and further wherein the raised position of the release lever corresponds with an unlocked position of the latch mechanism and the lowered position of the release lever corresponds with a locked position of the latch mechanism.

7. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the release lever includes first and second opposing arms.

8. A track assembly comprising:
a track;
a rail cartridge slidably coupled with the track and defining a receiving well;
a connection cartridge coupled with the rail cartridge and including an interface member, wherein the interface member is configured to be received within the receiving well of the rail cartridge;
a latch mechanism including a release lever, the release lever configured to selectively release the interface member of the connection cartridge from the receiving well of the rail cartridge;
a first electrical connector coupled with the rail cartridge; and
a second electrical connector coupled with the connection cartridge, wherein the first electrical connector is coupled with the second electrical connector when the interface member of the connection cartridge is positioned within the receiving well of the rail cartridge.

9. The track assembly of claim 8 , wherein the rail cartridge includes an upper portion integrally formed with a lower portion, and further wherein the upper portion extends upward from the lower portion.

10. The track assembly of claim 9 , wherein the connection cartridge includes first and second sidewalls spaced apart by a top wall, and further wherein the first and second sidewalls are positioned to frame the upper portion of the rail cartridge.

11. The track assembly of claim 9 , wherein the upper portion is narrower than the lower portion.

12. The track assembly of claim 8 , wherein the connection cartridge is coupled with a seat base.

13. The track assembly of claim 8 , wherein the connection cartridge is coupled with a storage container.

14. The track assembly of claim 8 , wherein the receiving well extends from an end of the rail cartridge opposite the first electrical connector.

15. A track assembly comprising:
a rail cartridge including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a receiving well;
a connection cartridge including an interface member and defining a slot, wherein the interface member is configured to be received within the receiving well of the rail cartridge when the upper portion of the rail cartridge is received by the slot;
a first electrical connector positioned on an end of the rail cartridge; and
a second electrical connector positioned on the connection cartridge, wherein the first electrical connector is coupled with the second electrical connector when the interface member of the connection cartridge is positioned within the receiving well of the rail cartridge.

16. The track assembly of claim 15 , wherein the lower portion of the rail cartridge is slidably received by a track.

17. The track assembly of claim 16 , wherein the connection cartridge is positioned to frame the upper portion of the rail cartridge.

18. The track assembly of claim 15 , further comprising:
a latch mechanism hingedly coupled with the rail cartridge, wherein the latch mechanism includes a release lever.

19. The track assembly of claim 18 , wherein the latch mechanism further includes a tab, wherein the release lever is configured to be selectively lowered to move the tab from an open position to a closed position.

20. The track assembly of claim 19 , wherein the interface member is coupled within the receiving well when the tab is in the closed position.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Kondrad Marcos Silva
• Moua Jimmy
• Hagedorn Gregory
• Ewel Adam

Classifications

• B60R16/027

  between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column {(devices for measuring, signalling or controlling tyre pressure or temperature specially adapted for mounting on vehicles B60C23/00)} · CPC title

• B60R7/04

  in driver or passenger space {, e.g. using racks (B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/0732 Primary

  Attachment of seat frame to the slide, e.g. eyelets · CPC title

• B60N2/0722 Primary

  Constructive details · CPC title

• B60P7/08

  Securing to the vehicle floor or sides ({B60P7/065}, B60P7/13, B60P7/135 take precedence) · CPC title