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Seat latch and latching methodSeat latch and latching method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060108847, Seat latch and latching method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Priority is hereby claimed to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/791,306 filed on Mar. 2, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Many conventional vehicles generally have two varieties of configurations in which different types of vehicle seats are frequently employed. The vehicles typically have either a two-door configuration or a four-door configuration. In vehicles having two-door configurations, vehicle seats having folding seat backs that fold toward a seat base and/or vehicle seats that move to a dump position (in which a seat base of the seat moves toward the front of the vehicle and a seat back of the seat folds toward the seat base) are commonly employed to facilitate easier access to a back seat of the vehicle or to the space behind the seats. Four-door configurations typically have doors that facilitate access to the back seat of the vehicle, thereby often eliminating the need for seats to move to dump positions. However, in both two and four-door configurations, it is often desirable to obtain access behind the rearmost seats of the vehicle, such as to obtain access to a storage area behind such seats. [0003] Seats operable to fold or move to dump positions typically have at least one lever extending from the seat and manipulatable by an operator. In such cases, the lever is connected to a seat latch having a latched condition in which the seat is secured in a position that is safe for the operator to occupy the seat, and an unlatched condition in which the seat is foldable or movable to a dump position. Commonly, the lever is generally rotatable about a pivot to move the seat latch between the latched and unlatched conditions. [0004] Such a lever commonly has a position corresponding to the latched condition of the seat latch and another position corresponding to the unlatched condition of the seat latch. However, it is typically difficult or impossible for an operator to visibly determine which position the lever is in and to which condition the lever position corresponds. Operator confusion regarding the condition of the seat latch is clearly an undesirable feature of such latches. [0005] Also, these and other levers typically project out from vehicle seats, and can be snagged by a seat belt, loose clothing, a purse, and the like, and can be accidentally bumped by an operator. Such snagging or bumping can damage items and the lever, and can accidentally cause the lever to move between positions--both undesirable results of the lever's design. [0006] Conventional seat controls often employ multiple levers or other user-actuatable elements to perform various seat moving and seat adjustment functions (such as moving the seat to and/or from a dump position as described above, reclining the seat to different desired positions, and the like). The use of multiple levers or other user-actuatable controls can increase the difficulty of learning and using the controls of the seat and can increase the cost of the seat and its controls. [0007] In light of the problems and limitations described above and in light of still other problems and limitations of conventional seat latches, new seat latches and seat latching and adjusting methods would be welcome in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Some embodiments of the present invention provide for a seat latch for controlling operation of a vehicle seat within a vehicle, the vehicle seat having a seat base and a selectively positionable seat back pivotally coupled to the seat base, wherein the seat latch comprises a frame connectable to one of the vehicle seat and the vehicle, and a user-manipulatable control supported by the frame, the user-manipulatable control operable to facilitate movement of the seat latch between a latched condition in which at least part of the vehicle seat is secured against movement with respect to the vehicle and an unlatched condition in which the at least part of the vehicle seat is movable with respect to the vehicle, wherein the user-manipulatable control is also operable to facilitate movement of the seat back between a plurality of reclined positions; and wherein the user-manipulatable control is retained in at least one position when the seat is in the unlatched condition and in which the user-manipulatable control provides a visual indication that the seat latch is not in the latched condition. [0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a seat latch having a reclining condition, a latched condition and an unlatched condition is provided, and comprises a housing, a user-manipulatable control received at least partially within the housing, movable along a first path to move the seat latch from the latched condition to the unlatched condition, and movable along a second path to move the seat latch into and out of the reclining condition but retaining the seat latch in the latched condition, wherein the user-manipulatable control protrudes outside of the housing when the latch is in the unlatched condition and does not protrude beyond the housing when the latch is in the latched condition. [0010] Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, a seat latch for a vehicle seat within a vehicle is provided, and comprises a frame connectable to one of the vehicle seat and the vehicle, a striker connectable to the other of the vehicle seat and the vehicle, a ratchet coupled to the frame and selectively engagable with the striker to selectively secure the frame to the striker, a user-manipulatable control coupled to the ratchet and movable from a first position to a second position to facilitate reclining of the vehicle seat, and from the first position to a third position to facilitate disengagement of the frame from the striker, and a biasing member coupled to the user-manipulatable control and biasing the user-manipulatable control toward the first position when the user-manipulatable control is in the second position, wherein the biasing member does not bias the user-manipulatable control toward the first position when the user-manipulatable control is in the third position. [0011] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of moving a seat within a vehicle is provided, and comprises actuating a user-manipulatable control in a first manner to release a latch from a striker and to enable movement of the vehicle seat with respect to the vehicle, wherein the latch provides a visual indicator to a user that the latch is in an unlatched condition when the latch is released from the striker, capturing the striker with the latch, and actuating the user-manipulatable control in a second manner different from the first manner to recline the seat. [0012] More information and a better understanding of the present invention can be achieved by reference to the following drawings and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0014] Terms of orientation (e.g., front, rear, top, bottom, side, vertical, horizontal, and the like) are employed herein for simplifying the description of the various embodiments of the present invention. However, such terms are used with reference only to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the element or structure referred to must be oriented in the described manner. The latch assembly and elements of the present invention can be oriented in any manner desired while still performing the latch functions described herein and while still falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0015] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts: [0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a seat latch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown with the seat latch in a latched condition and with a housing of the seat latch in phantom; [0017] FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the seat latch of FIG. 1, shown with the seat latch in an unlatched condition; [0018] FIG. 3 is another front perspective view of a latch assembly of the seat latch of FIGS. 1 and 2, shown with the seat latch in an unlatched condition and with a housing of the seat latch in phantom; [0019] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the latch assembly of FIGS. 1-3, shown with the seat latch in an unlatched condition and with the housing of the seat latch removed; [0020] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a striker assembly of the seat latch of FIGS. 1-4; Continue reading about Seat latch and latching method... Full patent description for Seat latch and latching method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Seat latch and latching method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Seat latch and latching method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Quick-mount child-restraint system Next Patent Application: Vehicle fitting Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Seat latch and latching method patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.33017 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
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