CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/408,725, filed on November 1 , 2010. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to latch mechanisms and more particularly to a retention feature for a latch mechanism.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Seat assemblies, such as those used in motor vehicles, are generally secured to a fixed structure of the vehicle for supporting passengers thereon during operation of the vehicle. In some instances, however, it is desirable to move the seat assembly out of engagement with the vehicle structure to gain access to or increase the size of a cargo area of the vehicle. For example, the seat assembly may be folded about a forward pivot or may be completely removed from the vehicle in order to provide added floor space and/or access to an otherwise obstructed area within the vehicle.

[0005] A latch mechanism may be employed to selectively secure the seat assembly to the vehicle structure. The latch mechanism may extend downwardly from the seat assembly to releasably secure the seat assembly to a vehicle floor and/or may extend from a seatback of the seat assembly to releasably secure the seat assembly to a wall structure of the vehicle. Regardless of the particular location of the latch mechanism, the latch mechanism may be in communication with a release lever secured within the seat assembly to unlatch the latch mechanism and permit movement of the seat assembly relative to the vehicle.

[0006] The latch mechanism is typically secured to the seat assembly by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as rivets extending through a seatback and/or seat bottom of the seat assembly. While use of mechanical fasteners adequately attaches the latch mechanism to the seat assembly when the seat assembly includes a metal frame or support structure, such mechanical fasteners cannot typically be used when the frame or support structure is formed from a plastic material. Further, use of such mechanical fasteners increases the time required to attach the latch mechanism to the seat assembly, thereby increasing manufacturing cost and complexity.

SUMMARY

[0007] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0008] A latch mechanism is provided and may include a housing, a locking mechanism supported by the housing and movable between a locked state and an unlocked state, and a first pin movable relative to the housing between a retracted state and an extended state. The first pin may engage an external structure in the extended state to retain the housing and the locking mechanism relative to the external structure.

[0009] In another configuration, a seat assembly is provided and may include a seat bottom, a seatback supported by the seat bottom, and a latch mechanism movable between a latched state restricting movement of at least one of the seat bottom and the seatback relative to an external structure and an unlatched state permitting movement of at least one of the seat bottom and the seatback relative to the external structure. The latch mechanism may include a housing and a locking mechanism. The latch mechanism may be supported by the housing and may be movable between a locked state and an unlocked state. The latch mechanism may be in the latched state when the locking mechanism is in the locked state and the latch mechanism may be in the unlatched state when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state. The latch mechanism may further include a first pin movable relative to the housing between a retracted state and an extended state. The first pin may engage one of the seat bottom and the seatback in the extended state to retain the housing and the locking assembly relative to the one of the seat bottom and the seatback. [0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat incorporating a latch mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 ;

[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 ;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 in a partially installed position;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 4 in an installed position;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the installed latch mechanism taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of a latch mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure in a partially installed position; and

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 7 in an installed position.

[0020] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well- known technologies are not described in detail.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1 , a seat assembly 10 is provided and may include a seatback 12 rotatably secured to a seat bottom 14. The seatback 12 may pivot with respect to the seat bottom 14 to provide adjustable back support for an occupant of the seat assembly 10 and/or access to a storage compartment of a vehicle such as, for example, a trunk. The seatback 12 may include a cushion portion 16 covering a frame member 18, which may releasably attach the seatback 12 to an external structure (not shown) of the vehicle. The frame member 18 may be a polymeric material (e.g., polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon), a thermoset, a thermoplastic resin, or a resin compound (e.g., including glass fibers, etc.). The frame member 18 may be formed using any conventional technique, such as, for example, injection molding. While the following description refers to a frame member 18 formed from a polymeric material, the present disclosure is applicable to frame materials formed from metal during a stamping process, for example. Further, while the frame member 18 will be described and shown in conjunction with the seatback 12, a similar frame member could be associated with the seat bottom 14 to releasably attach the seat bottom 14 to an external structure such as, for example, a floor pan of a vehicle.

[0023] In order to releasably secure the seatback 12 to the external structure, the frame member 18 may incorporate a latch mechanism 20 generally disposed proximate to an outer periphery 22 of the frame member 18. The location of the latch mechanism 20 may be chosen based on packaging considerations within the vehicle to properly align the latch mechanism 20 with the external structure. The latch mechanism 20 may be at least partially enclosed by the frame member 18 of the seatback 12 and may be positioned at more than one location to provide the seatback 12 with multiple latch mechanisms.

[0024] With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the latch mechanism 20 may include a housing 24, a cam 26, a locking claw 28, a spring or biasing member 30, and a retaining assembly 32. The support housing 24 may include a generally planar main body 34 having a plurality of apertures 36, 38, a slot 40, and a bracket 42. Further, the support housing 24 may include a plurality of legs 44, 46 having respective apertures 48, 50 extending substantially perpendicular to the main body 34 for receiving the retaining assembly 32.

[0025] The cam 26 may include an aperture 52, a locking-plate interface 54, and an extending portion 56. The aperture 52 may be positioned in an overlapping fashion relative to the aperture 36 of the support housing 24, such that a fastener 58 passing therethrough rotatably attaches the cam 26 to the support housing 24. The locking-plate interface 54 may include a substantially arcuate upper surface 60 extending a predetermined distance from a main body 62 of the cam 26. The extending portion 56 may have a hook- shape for receiving a first end 64 of the biasing member 30.

[0026] The locking claw 28 may include an aperture 66, a locking channel 68, an extending portion 70, a cam interface 72, and a stop member 74. The aperture 66 may be positioned in an overlapping fashion relative to the aperture 38 of the support housing 24, such that a fastener 76 passing therethrough rotatably attaches the locking claw 28 to the support housing 24.

[0027] The locking channel 68 may extend into a body portion 78 of the locking claw 28 and may be a substantially U-shaped channel for receiving a striker bar (not shown) secured to the external structure, for example. A bumper 80 may be disposed in the striker slot 40 for engagement with the striker bar. The bumper 80 may be formed from an elastomeric material to bias the striker bar into engagement with the locking claw 28 to minimize noise and vibration between the housing 24, locking channel 68, and the striker bar.

[0028] The extending portion 70 may include a hook-shape for receiving a second end 82 of the biasing member 30. The extending portions 56, 70 may extend in opposite directions to apply a tensile force on the biasing member 30 once installed. [0029] The cam interface 72 may have a substantially arcuate upper surface 84 extending into the body portion 78 at a predetermined distance corresponding to the upper surface 60 of the cam 26. Accordingly, the cam 26 and the locking claw 28 may be rotationally biased into engagement at their respective interfaces 54, 72 through interaction between the first end 64 of the biasing member 30 at the extending portion 56 and the second end 82 of the biasing member 30 at the extending portion 70. The biasing member 30 may be a linear spring, as shown, or may include any other configuration that similarly applies a force on the cam adjuster 26 and the locking claw 28.

[0030] The angled bracket 42 of the support housing 24 may be positioned relative to the locking claw 28 such that a portion of the bracket 42 overlaps an arcuate edge surface 86 of the locking claw 28. The angled bracket 42 may include a first surface 88 facing the extending portion 70 and a second surface 90 facing the stop member 74 for selective engagement with the extending portion 70 and stop member 74, respectively. As such, the distance between the extending portion 70 and the stop member 74 cooperate to define the range of motion of the locking claw 28 relative to the housing 24.

[0031] The retaining assembly 32 may include a housing 92, a spring or biasing member 94, and a pair of movable pins 96, 98. The movable pins 96, 98 may each include a cylindrical portion 100 abutting a first face 102 of a base flange 104 and a cylindrical portion 106 abutting a second, opposing face 108 of the base flange 104. The cylindrical portion 106 may include a sloped surface 1 10 at a distal end thereof that extends generally between a distal end 1 12 of the cylindrical portion 106 and through a side surface 1 14 of the cylindrical portion 106. While portions 100, 106 are described as being cylindrical, either or both portions 100, 106 could include a different shape and are therefore not limited to a cylindrical construction.

[0032] The retaining assembly 32 may be preassembled such that the cylindrical portion 100 of the pins 96, 98 are located along an axis Z (FIG. 3) of the biasing member 94 and extend from opposite ends 1 16, 1 18 of the biasing member 94. The biasing member 94 exerts a force on the pins 96, 98, thereby causing the pins 96, 98 to protrude from apertures 120, 122 of the housing 92. Specifically, the ends 1 16, 1 18 respectively engage the pins 96, 98 at the first face 102 of the base flanges 104 to exert a force on each pin 96, 98 in a direction substantially along the axis Z of the biasing member 94.

[0033] The base flange 104 and the housing 92 may be shaped to prevent rotation of the pins 96, 98 relative to the housing 92 and biasing member 94. Specifically, the base flanges 104 may include a shape that is matingly received within the housing 92 proximate to apertures 120, 122 or otherwise engages the housing 92 proximate to apertures 120, 122 to restrict rotation of the pins 96, 98 relative to the housing 92 and biasing member 94.

[0034] At least one guide 124 (FIG. 6) may be formed in the housing 92 to position the biasing member 94 relative to and within the housing 92. The guides 124 may also control movement of the pins 96, 98 relative to the apertures 120, 122 by abutting the first faces 102 of the pins 96, 98. Specifically, the guides 124 may include engagement surfaces 126, 128 (FIG. 6) that contact the first faces 102 of each pin 96, 98 to prevent further movement of each pin 96, 98 along axis Z and into the housing 92. In this way, the pins 96, 98 cannot extend into the housing 92 greater than a predetermined distance.

[0035] The frame member 18 may include an opening 140 and a surface 142 generally surrounding the opening 140. The opening 140 is sized to receive the latch mechanism 20 therein proximate to the surface 142 and may cooperate with the retaining assembly 32 to secure the latch mechanism 20 relative to the frame member 18.

[0036] With particular reference to FIGS. 4-6, installation of the latch mechanism 20 into the frame member 18 will be described in detail. The latch mechanism 20 may be positioned relative to the opening 140 such that the sloped surfaces 1 10 of the pins 96, 98 generally oppose the surface 142 of the frame member 18. A force (F1 ) may be applied to the latch mechanism 20 to cause the sloped surfaces 1 10 of the pins 96, 98 to engage the frame member 18 at outer edges of the opening 140 proximate to surface 142.

[0037] The force (F1 ) applied to the latch mechanism 20 in the direction indicated in FIG. 4 causes the sloped surfaces 1 10 to engage the frame member 18 which, in turn, causes a force to be applied to the pins 96, 98, in a direction along axis Z. The force applied to the pins 96, 98 along axis Z causes the pins 96, 98 to move against the biasing force applied on the pins 96, 98 by the biasing member 94. Sufficient movement of the pins 96, 98 along axis Z causes the pins 96, 98 to retreat within the housing 92 to allow continued movement of the latch mechanism 20 relative to the frame member 18.

[0038] As described above, the pins 96, 98 are positioned relative to the housing 92 due to engagement between the shape of the base flanges 104 of the respective pins 96, 98 and the housing 92. Because the base flanges 104 cooperate with the housing 92 to prevent rotation of the pins 96, 98 relative to the housing 92, the flanges 104 similarly act to properly position the base flanges 104 and, thus, the pins 96, 98, relative to the housing 92. As such, when the latch mechanism 20 is positioned relative to the opening 140, the sloped surfaces 1 10 generally oppose the surface 142 and engage outer edges of the opening 140 proximate to the surface 142. Such positioning of the sloped surfaces 1 10 of the pins 96, 98 relative to the opening 140 allows the sloped surfaces 1 10 of the pins 96, 98 to cooperate with the frame member 18 proximate to outer edges of the opening 140 and cause the pins 96, 98 to retract generally within the housing 92.

[0039] Once the pins 96, 98 are sufficiently retracted within the housing 92 such that the distal end 1 12 of each pin 96, 98 is substantially flush with an outer edge of the housing 24 proximate to legs 44, 46, the distal end of each pin 96, 98 engages and rides on an engagement surface 141 of the opening 140. The distal end 1 12 of each pin 96, 98 continues to ride on the engagement surface 141 of the opening 140 as long as the force (F1 ) is applied to the latch mechanism 20.

[0040] The latch mechanism 20 continues to move relative to the frame member 18 provided the force (F1 ) is continually applied to the latch mechanism 20. Movement of the latch mechanism 20 relative to the frame member 18 continues until the housing 24 engages the frame member 18 and the pins 96, 98 are properly seated within the frame member 18. Specifically, the latch mechanism 20 is permitted to move in the direction of the applied force (F1 ) until engagement surfaces 144, 146 of the respective legs 44, 46 contact respective stops 148, 150 of the frame member 18. Once the engagement surfaces 144, 146 contact the respective stops 148, 150, the pin members 96, 98 are positioned relative to openings 152, 154 formed in the frame member 18. As such, the engagement surfaces 144, 146 and stops 148, 150 cooperate to properly position the latch mechanism 20 relative to the frame member 18 to allow the pins 96, 98 to be positioned relative to the openings 152, 154 formed in the frame member 18.

[0041] When the pins 96, 98 are positioned relative to the openings

152, 154 of the frame member 18, the distal ends 1 12 of each pin 96, 98 no longer contact the engagement surface 141 of the opening 140 and are once again allowed to extend from the housing 92 under force of the biasing member 94. Specifically, once the distal end of each pin 96, 98 disengages the engagement surface 141 of the opening 140, the biasing member 94 is once again permitted to bias each pin 96, 98 away from one another and along axis Z. The biasing member 94, therefore, is able to move each pin 96 generally away from the housing 92 such that the cylindrical portion 106 of each pin 96, 98 extends into the respective openings 152, 154 of the frame member 18.

[0042] As described above, the pins 96, 98 are positioned relative to the housing 92 such that the sloped surfaces 1 10 engage the frame member 18 proximate to an outer edge of the opening 140. Each pin 96, 98 may include a substantially planar surface 160 formed on an opposite side of the cylindrical section 106 than the sloped surface 1 10 that engages and contacts surfaces 151 , 153, respectively, of the frame member 18 proximate to openings 152, 154. Engagement between the surfaces 160 of the pins 96, 98 and surfaces 151 , 153 of the frame member 18 prevent removal of the latch mechanism 20 from the frame member 18.

[0043] Movement of the pins 96, 98 into the openings 152, 154 of the frame member 18 may be governed by the shape of the pins 96, 98 and/or the shape of the frame member 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the base flange 104 of each pin 96, 98 may contact an inner surface 165 of the housing 92 to restrict further movement of the pins 96, 98 into the respective openings 152, 154 of the frame member 18, thereby properly positioning the pins 96, 98 relative to the frame member 18. While the base flanges 104 are described as contacting the housing 92 to determine a position of the pins 92, 94 relative to the openings 152, 154 of the frame member 18, the travel of each pin 96, 98 along the axis Z and into the openings 152, 154 could alternatively be determined based on engagement between a distal end of each pin 96, 98 and a stop 167 of the frame member 18. Engagement between the base flange 104 and the engagement surface 165 of the housing 92 and/or engagement between the distal end 1 12 of each pin 96, 98 and of the stops 167 of the frame member 18 ensure that the pins 96, 98 extend sufficiently into the openings 152, 154 of the frame member 18 to allow the surfaces 160 of the pins 96, 98 to contact the surfaces 151 , 153 of the openings 152, 154 and prevent removal of the latch mechanism 20 from the frame member 18.

[0044] With particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a latch mechanism 20a for use with a frame member 18 is provided. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with latch mechanism 20a with respect to the latch mechanism 20, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

[0045] As with the latch mechanism 20, the latch mechanism 20a includes a pair of pins 96, 98a. The pin 96 may be movable relative to the housing 24 to allow the pin 96 to be movable along axis Z. While the pin 96 is permitted to move along axis Z relative to the housing 24, the pin 98a is fixed relative to the housing 24 and is not permitted to move along axis Z.

[0046] With continued reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, operation of the latch mechanism 20a will be described in detail. The latch mechanism 20a is positioned relative to the frame member 18 such that the fixed pin 98a is inserted into the opening 140 prior to the movable pin 96. The fixed pin 98 is positioned relative to the opening 140 and is received within the opening 154 of the frame member 18 such that the latch mechanism 20a is positioned at an angle relative to the opening 140, as shown in FIG. 7. At this point, the fixed pin 98a is disposed within the opening 154 while the movable pin 96 is positioned relative to the opening 140 such that the sloped surface 1 10 of the movable pin 96 is in contact with the frame member 18 proximate to the opening 140. A force (F2) may be applied to the latch mechanism 20a to cause the latch mechanism 20a to pivot substantially about the fixed pin 98a. The force (F2) causes the sloped surface 1 10 of the movable pin 96 to contact the frame member 18 proximate to the opening 140, thereby causing the movable pin 96 to retract into the housing 92.

[0047] As described above with respect to the latch mechanism 20, retracting of the movable pin 96 into the housing 92 causes the distal end 1 12 of the pin 96 to contact and engage the engagement surface 141 of the opening 140. The distal end 1 12 of the pin 96 rides along the engagement surface 141 of the opening 140 until the pin 96 is positioned relative to the opening 152 and the biasing element 94 is permitted to once again cause the pin 96 to extend from the housing 92. Once the movable pin 96 extends from the housing 92 such that the surface 161 of each pin 96, 98a contacts the surfaces 151 , 153 of each opening 152, 154, the latch mechanism 20a is installed in the frame member 18 and is prevented from being removed due to engagement between the pins 96, 98a and the frame member 18 at the openings 152, 154.

[0048] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.