Center armrest inertial lock

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016288675-A1
Application number	US-201514676203-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 1, 2015
Priority date	Apr 1, 2015
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An inertial lock assembly for a vehicle armrest includes a stopping member disposed on an armrest attachment bracket and a catch pin for engaging the stopping member. The catch pin is disposed on an armrest link journaled at one end to the attachment bracket and at an opposed end to an armrest frame. The stopping member pivots to engage the catch pin. A guide pin disposed on the armrest attachment bracket is configured to slide within an arcuate guide slot in the stopping member, to restrict a range of pivoting movement of the stopping member. A stop disposed on the armrest link is configured to bias an end of the arcuate guide slot against the guide pin when the armrest attachment bracket and armrest link are in a stowed configuration or in a fully deployed configuration. Armrest and seat assemblies including the inertial lock assembly are described.

First claim

1 . An inertial lock assembly for a vehicle armrest, comprising:
a stopping member including an arcuate guide slot, said stopping member disposed on an armrest attachment bracket; a guide pin disposed on the armrest attachment bracket and configured to slide within the arcuate guide slot to restrict a range of pivoting movement of the stopping member; and a catch pin for engaging the stopping member, the catch pin being disposed on an armrest link journaled at one end to the armrest attachment bracket and at an opposed end to a portion of an armrest body; the stopping member freely pivoting to engage the catch pin during a vehicle deceleration.

2 . (canceled)

3 . (canceled)

4 . The inertial lock assembly of claim 1 , further including a stop disposed on the armrest link and configured to bias an end of the arcuate guide slot against the guide pin when the armrest attachment bracket and armrest link are in a stowed configuration or in a fully deployed configuration.

5 . The inertial lock assembly of claim 4 , wherein the stop comprises a bar attached to the armrest link and having a pair of biasing members disposed at an end thereof.

6 . The inertial lock assembly of claim 4 , wherein the stop comprises a pair of biasing members disposed at an end of the armrest link.

7 . An armrest assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
an armrest including at least a body, an attachment bracket for pivotally attaching the body to a seat assembly, and at least one link journaled at one end to the attachment bracket and at an opposed end to the body; at least one inertial lock assembly including a stopping member having an arcuate guide slot, said stopping member disposed on the attachment bracket and a catch pin for engaging the stopping member, the catch pin being disposed on the at least one link; and a guide pin disposed on the attachment bracket and configured to slide within the arcuate guide slot to restrict a range of pivoting movement of the stopping member, wherein the stopping member freely pivots to engage the catch pin during a vehicle deceleration.

8 . (canceled)

9 . (canceled)

10 . The armrest assembly of claim 7 , further including a stop disposed on the at least one link and configured to bias an end of the arcuate guide slot against the guide pin when the attachment bracket and at least one link are in a stowed configuration or in a fully deployed configuration.

11 . The armrest assembly of claim 10 , wherein the stop comprises a bar attached to the link and having a pair of biasing members disposed at an end thereof.

12 . The armrest assembly of claim 10 , wherein the stop comprises a pair of biasing members disposed at an end of the link.

13 . A vehicle including the armrest assembly of claim 7 .

14 . A seat assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a seat including a seat frame, a seat bottom, and a seat back defining a recess for receiving a pivoting armrest in a stowed configuration; an armrest including at least a body, an attachment bracket for pivotally attaching the body to the seat frame, and at least one link journaled at one end to the attachment bracket and at an opposed end to the body; at least one inertial lock assembly for preventing a vehicle deceleration-induced deployment of the armrest, the inertial lock assembly including a stopping member having an arcuate guide slot, said stopping member disposed on the attachment bracket and a catch pin for engaging the stopping member disposed on the at least one link; and a guide pin disposed on the attachment bracket and configured to slide within the arcuate guide slot to restrict a range of pivoting movement of the stopping member, wherein the stopping member freely pivots to engage the catch pin during a vehicle deceleration.

15 . (canceled)

16 . (canceled)

17 . The seat assembly of claim 14 , further including a stop disposed on the at least one link and configured to bias an end of the arcuate guide slot against the guide pin when the attachment bracket and at least one link are in a stowed configuration or in a fully deployed configuration.

18 . The seat assembly of claim 17 , wherein the stop comprises a bar attached to the at least one link and having a pair of biasing members disposed at an end thereof.

19 . The seat assembly of claim 17 , wherein the stop comprises a pair of biasing members disposed at an end of the at least one link.

20 . A vehicle including the seat assembly of claim 14 .

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salenbien Nicholas
• Susko Thomas J
• Aktas Macit

Classifications

• B60N2/919

  Positioning and locking mechanisms (B60N2/16, B60N2/18, B60N2/22, B60N2/225 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/757 Primary

  in a recess of the back-rest · CPC title

• B60N2/433

  Safety locks for back-rests, e.g. with locking bars activated by inertia · CPC title

• B60N2/43

  Safety locks (for back-rests B60N2/433) · CPC title

• B60N2/4613 Primary

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic