The present invention relates to a tilt-adjustable seat cushion for a vehicle seat having an underframe for receiving an upholstered seat part, this seat cushion having two frame parts which are arranged laterally of the underframe. The seat cushion includes a swiveling shaft for the underframe disposed in the frame parts and extends in transverse direction of the vehicle. Each frame part carries at least one row of teeth for interaction with two pinion gear teeth. An adjusting shaft carries the pinion gear teeth and has on one end a handwheel.
In a known seat cushion of the above type, shown in German Published Unexamined patent application No. 3,316,618, the adjusting shaft with the handwheel and the pinion gear teeth is disposed in the underframe and, for this purpose, on both sides, is guided in a respective longitudinal slot in the underframe. The rows of teeth that ascend in the direction of the swiveling shaft of the underframe, penetrate through openings in the floor of the underframe. For assembly, first the underframe is inserted into the frame parts. Then, the adjusting shaft is guided through one longitudinal slot in the underframe, through two recesses in the frame parts, of which one is in each case directly opposite one row of teeth, and then through the other longitudinal slot in the underframe, until two pinion gear teeth engage in the assigned row of teeth.
Because of the tolerances of the underframe and of the components for the tilt adjustment, the above-described assembly is not too easy. However, the assembly becomes significantly more difficult because it can only be carried out at the upholstered seat cushion, in other words, with the seat upholstery part that is firmly connected with the underframe. An objective of the present invention is to significantly facilitate the mounting of the underframe and of the tilt-adjusting mechanism in a seat cushion having an underframe for receiving an upholstered seat part.
This and other objectives are achieved in the present invention by providing a tilt-adjustable seat cushion for a vehicle seat having an underframe for receiving an upholstered seat part, the seat cushion having two frame parts which are arranged laterally of the underframe, swiveling shaft means for the underframe disposed in the frame parts that extends in transverse direction of the vehicle, each frame part carrying at least one row of teeth for interaction with at least two pinion gear teeth, and an adjusting shaft carrying the pinion gear teeth having at one end a hand wheel, with bearing block means. The adjusting shaft is disposed in the bearing block means, this bearing block means being connected to and forming a separate assembly with the frame parts and the adjusting shaft. This separate assembly is then connected with the underframe by fastening means. In certain preferred embodiments, the fastening means are screws or clips.
By disposing the adjusting shaft in a separate bearing block that is separate from the underframe, the tilt-adjusting mechanism comprising the frame part and the adjusting shaft can be assembled completely and only then be connected with the upholstered seat cushion. Because the underframe and the seat upholstery part are absent during the assembly of the tilt-adjusting mechanism, there is more free space and better accessibility so that assembly times are considerably shortened. After the pre-assembly of the tilt-adjusting mechanism is completed, the upholstered underframe is placed without difficulty and connected with the adjusting mechanism.
In certain preferred embodiments, the bearing block or at lest the bearing points of the adjusting shaft in the housing block are made of plastic, to prevent the development of noise caused by rattling, etc.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.