Schwarzbich, Jorg;

Adjusting mechanism

An adjustable member such as a seat back of a vehicle is connected to an adjustment mechanism which transfers an external mechanical or manual force to the seat back. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuating element which rotates the seat back in either direction in response to the application of the external force. An elastic return element stores energy during such movement to subsequently return the actuating element to a rest position. During such return, the actuating element is automatically disconnected from the seat back.

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What is claimed is:

1. An adjusting mechanism for adjusting an adjustably movable member, comprising:

an adjusting element adapted to be connected to the adjustably movable member for producing an adjustment thereof; and

a coupling operably connected to the adjusting element for moving the adjusting element, the coupling including:

an actuating element arranged for movement in first and second opposite directions in response to the application thereto of an actuating force external to the coupling;

a release element operably connected to the actuating element for movement therewith in the first and second directions;

an elastic return element operably connected to the release element for storing energy in response to the release element being driven in either of the first and second directions by the actuating element when acted upon by an actuating force, and for applying the stored energy as a restoring force to the release element for causing the release element to be driven and drive the actuating element in a return direction; and

a connecting mechanism operably connecting the coupling to the adjusting element for driving the adjusting element when the actuating element and release element are driven by the actuating force, and for releasing the coupling from the adjusting element when the actuating element and release element are driven in a return direction by the restoring force.

2. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element and release element are arranged to have limited relative play in each of the first and second directions.

3. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element includes a manually actuable handle for applying a manual force as the external force.

4. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first and second directions of movement constitute rotational directions about an axis of rotation.

5. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the actuating and release elements are both rotatable about the axis of rotation in the first and second directions, the adjusting element comprising a shaft rotatable about the axis of rotation.

6. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism comprises a plurality of pairs of pinch rolls situated in a gap between the actuating element and the adjusting element, an elastic spacer disposed between the pinch rolls of each pair, portions of the release element situated between respective ones of the pairs of pinch rolls, the gap including a wedge-shaped portion for pressing the pinch rolls into force transmitting relationship with the actuating element and the adjusting element when the actuating and release elements are driven by the actuating force.

7. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, further including a stationary element, the elastic return element comprising a coil spring mounted in the stationary element and arranged to be compressed between the stationary element and a portion of the release element.

8. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the actuating and release elements are both rotatable about a common axis of rotation in the first and second directions, the coil spring being situated in a curved groove of the stationary element, the groove being concentric with the common axis.

9. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the opposite ends of the groove form abutments against which the coil spring abuts, the portion of the release element comprising a pair of pegs each arranged to compress the coil spring against a respective one of the abutments in response to rotation of the actuating element.

10. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the groove includes extended portions extending past respective ones of the abutments, the pegs being movably disposed in respective ones of the extensions.

11. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the release element includes a curved groove superimposed over the groove of the stationary element, the coil spring disposed in both grooves.

12. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 1 further including a catch element connected to the adjustable member and to the adjusting element to be driven thereby, and an additional connecting mechanism connecting the catch element to a stationary brake element when a force is applied from the adjustable member to the catch element tending to move the latter.

13. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the catch element includes a receptacle for receiving a cable for connection with the adjustable member.

14. The adjusting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting element is connected directly to a gear for adjusting the adjustable member.