FR2789453A1 - Fitting for quick assembly of guide bar for car seat has metallic plate placed between guide bar fitting and floor pan and immobilizing guide bar - Google Patents

Abstract

Fitting includes longitudinal metallic plate (20) placed between lower part (16) of guide bar fitting and floor pan (14). When under assembling force, plate transforms from contracted to expanded position when guide bar is immobilized relatively to floor pan in (minimum) two directions.

Description

! "Improved arrangement for fixing a slide on a

  motor vehicle floor "The invention relates to an arrangement for the rapid fixing of a slide for an item of equipment, in particular to a motor vehicle seat. The invention relates more particularly to an arrangement for the rapid fixing of a seat slide of a motor vehicle, of the type which comprises a longitudinal slide, substantially symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal and vertical median plane, of which a lower fixing portion of substantially longitudinal orientation is intended to be fixed to a floor of the vehicle while being immobilized therein In three longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions, There are many examples of arrangements for fixing a seat runner to a floor of a vehicle, most of which are arrangements whose runners include means of fixing by screwing on

the vehicle floor.

  The seat rails are conventionally

  two types, short slides and long slides.

  The short runners are intended to be mounted in vehicles whose interior fittings cannot be adjusted, such as sedan, station wagon, convertible or coupe type, or in the front seats of vehicles with interior fittings, such as MPV type vehicles. Short slides generally have eyelets at their two longitudinal ends which are crossed by screws intended to ensure their

  fixing to the vehicle floor.

  Long slides are more specifically reserved for the rear part of the passenger compartment of light vehicles

B424.DOC 2789453

  MPV or utility type, to allow the sliding of interior fittings, in particular

  seats, over great lengths.

  To ensure good attachment to the floor of the long slides, these generally have several anchor points distributed uniformly over their entire length which allow the fixing of the long slide by screwing. The assembly of the long io slides on the production line on the vehicle floor is a long and tedious operation which requires as many screwing operations

that there are anchor points.

  To overcome this drawback, the invention provides an arrangement for quickly fixing a lower fixing part of the slide on an element of the floor. To this end, the invention proposes an arrangement of the type described above, characterized in that it comprises at least one deformable longitudinal element which is interposed between the lower fixing part of the slide and the floor and which is susceptible, when subjected to a mounting force, to pass from a retracted mounting position to an expanded immobilization position in which it immobilizes the slide relative to the next floor at least two

directions.

  According to other characteristics of the invention - the deformable element immobilizes the slide relative to the floor in at least the vertical and transverse directions; - in cross section, the deformable element passes substantially from the shape of a chevron in the retracted mounting position, to the shape of a horizontal bar in position

B424.DOC 2789453

  expanded immobilization when subjected to a mounting effort of vertical direction; - The deformable element is attached to the mounting between the lower fixing part of the slide and a fixing element of the floor; - the lower fixing part comprises two symmetrical and opposite longitudinal housings which, in cross section, each have the shape of a C, and the fixing element of the floor comprises at least two

  io opposite longitudinal angles, which extend vertically-

  from the floor, which each have a cross section in the shape of an inverted L, and whose horizontal branches are received for mounting in the longitudinal C-shaped housings of the lower fixing part; - at least two symmetrical and opposite parts of the deformable element are received in the longitudinal C-shaped housings of the lower fixing part to deform during assembly, extend transversely in the longitudinal C-shaped housings and immobilize the branches transversely and vertically angles in the longitudinal C-shaped housings of the lower fixing part; - The concavity of the housings of the lower fixing part and the horizontal branches of the angles of the fixing element of the floor are turned internally towards the median plane of symmetry, and lower horizontal wings of the housings have recesses of transverse orientation intended to allow the vertical passage of as many associated angles; - The deformable element is made integrally with the lower fixing part of the slide;

B424.DOC

  - the lower fixing part of the slide comprises a first fixed horizontal transverse wing and a

  second horizontal wing transverse mobile transverse-

  ment which extend outward and which are intended to be received for mounting in two opposite longitudinal housings of the fixing element of the floor, symmetrical with respect to the median plane, which are delimited by the floor and by two angles in inverted L-shape whose horizontal branches are turned inward and which extend vertically from the floor, the transversely movable wing of the lower fixing part being controlled by the deformable element produced integrally with the lower part for fixing the slide; - the slide comprises transversely on the same side two parallel vertical walls comprising a rigid internal lateral wall, and an elastic external lateral wall at the lower end of which the second movable horizontal wing is arranged, and the deformable element is arranged transversely between the two walls; the transverse size of the first fixed wing and second mobile wing is less than the transverse distance between the two vertical branches of the L-shaped angles of the floor to allow mounting in the vertical direction when the deformable element is in the retracted position; The arrangement comprises at least one control cam which is slidably mounted between the internal and external lateral walls of the slide in contact with the deformable element to exert the effort of vertical mounting on the deformable element when it slides longitudinally

B424.DOC 2789453

  - the angles are made integrally with the floor; the deformable element is an inverted chevron enclosed in a deformable longitudinal sheath which constitutes a fixing element for the floor; - The lower fixing part of the slide comprises two symmetrical and opposite longitudinal housings which each have in cross section the shape of a C whose concavity is turned towards the median longitudinal plane and which are intended to receive corresponding parts of the rafter enclosed in the deformable longitudinal sheath when it passes into the expanded position under the action of the mounting force; - the two longitudinal housings are connected at the top of the Cs by a horizontal bottom of the slide forming a bearing surface to exert the mounting effort on the sheath containing the inverted chevron; - the sheath is metallic and welded to the vehicle floor;

- the slide is a profile.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will appear on reading the detailed description which follows

  for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the slide before it is positioned on the floor; - Figure 3 is a view according to Figure 2 showing the slide positioned on the floor;

B424.DOC 2789453

  - Figure 4 is a view according to Figure 2 showing the slide positioned in position on the floor and mounted; - Figure 5 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention showing the slide before its positioning on the floor; - Figure 6 is a view according to Figure 5 showing the slide positioned on the floor and mounted; - Figure 7 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention showing the slide before io put it in position on the floor; FIG. 8 is a view according to FIG. 7 showing the slide positioned in position on the floor; and - Figure 9 is a view according to Figure 7 showing the slide positioned on the floor and mounted; - Figure 10 is a side view of a slide carrying cams controlling the immobilization of the slide

  according to the third embodiment of the invention.

  In the description which follows, figures of

  identical reference designates identical parts or having

similar functions.

  There is shown in Figures 1 to 4 a first embodiment of an arrangement 10 for the rapid fixing of a slide 12 of a motor vehicle seat on a floor

14 of the motor vehicle.

  The slide 12 is intended to be immobilized in three directions, longitudinal transverse, and vertical, on the floor 14 of the vehicle. In known manner, the slide 12 is a longitudinal slide which is substantially symmetrical with respect to a median vertical longitudinal plane P, and which is

made from a profile.

  According to the invention, the slide 12 has an active upper part 13 below which is

B424.DOC 2789453

  arranged a lower fixing part 16 which is intended to be immobilized relative to a floor fixing element 18 when a deformable longitudinal element 20, which is interposed between the lower fixing part 16 and the floor fixing element 18 , is deformed according to an assembly force F which is here of vertical direction and which is represented

in Figures 1 and 4.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the slide 12 comprises from top to bottom the upper active part 13, which has substantially the shape of a U, and the lower fixing part 16 which comprises two symmetrical longitudinal housings 19 which are located on either side of the median vertical longitudinal plane P. The housings 19 are in the form of two Cs, the concavities of which face each other, and the upper parts of which are connected together by a transverse bottom 22 of the upper part 13 of the slide 12. The lower parts of the Cs are formed by two transverse wings 24 which are also facing one another. The slide 12 also includes, in the thickness of the wings 24, longitudinal recesses 26, visible in FIG. 1, which extend at regular intervals along the slide 12 and which are intended to allow the passage of angles 28 forming the floor fixing element 18. The angles 28 are arranged above an upper face 30 of the floor 14 and, in this embodiment of the invention,

  came together with the floor 14.

  The angles 28 are intended to be received in the recesses 26 to allow the transverse immobilization, as shown in Figure 3, of the slide 12 relative

to floor 14.

B424.DOC 2789453

  The angles 28 have substantially the shape of an inverted L whose horizontal branches 32 are turned towards one another on either side of the longitudinal plane P

median of symmetry.

  The vertical branches 33 of the angles L in inverted L coming from the floor 14 are of a height greater than the thickness of the wings 24 of the lower part 16 for fixing the slide 12. In this way, the lower wings 24 and the branches horizontal 32 of the angles 28 define in the o1 housings 19 in C immobilization housings 34 which are intended to receive the deformable element 20 allowing

  immobilization of the slide 12 relative to the floor 14.

  Advantageously, the deformable element 20 is a longitudinal metal plate which, in cross section, has substantially a chevron shape in the retracted mounting position, as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, and is in the form of a horizontal bar in the expanded position. immobilization, as shown in FIG. 4, when it has been subjected to the steering assembly force F

  vertical shown in Figure 4.

  In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the metallic material of the element 20 is susceptible; when the mounting force F is applied to it, to deform plastically and irreversibly. However, as a variant, the material could be an elastic material, the element 20 then being an element comprising a stable non-deformed state and a stable deformed state. The element is in this case called "bistable" and can return to its initial shape under the action of a dismantling force from a direction opposite to that of the mounting force F. The deformable element 20 comprises two symmetrical branches 36 and opposite which are intended, during assembly,

B424.DOC 2789453

  to extend transversely in the housings 34 when the mounting force F is applied to the top of the rafter which is defined by the junction of two branches 36, as

shown in figure 4.

  Thus, the slide 12 is immobilized for mounting relative to the floor 14 transversely by the angles 28 which are, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in support

  transverse on interior walls 38 of housings 19.

  The slide 12 is also immobilized vertically as illustrated in FIG. 4, on the one hand downwards by the support of lower faces 40 of the wings 24 of the slide 12 on the upper face 30 of the floor and, on the other goes upwards through the branches 34 of the deformable element 20 which are supported under the horizontal branches 32 of the angles 28, the top i5 of junction of the branches 32 of the deformable element 20 being moreover, once deformed, in support on the upper side

floor 14.

  The longitudinal immobilization of the slide 12 with respect to the floor 14 is produced by longitudinal end faces 42 of the angles 28 which are shown in FIG. 1, and which bear on longitudinal end faces 44 of the recesses 26 of the slide 12. During assembly, the slide 12 is first of all placed on the angles 28 of the floor 14, then the deformable element 20 is introduced longitudinally by a free open end of the slide 12. The deformable element is then deformed by the mounting force F, as illustrated in FIG. 4, which can be exerted on the top of the deformable element 20 in a chevron shape through openings 46 which are formed in the horizontal bottom 22 of the upper part 13 of the slide 12, these openings 46 also being

B424.DOC 2789453

  I0 intended to allow the passage of means for immobilizing a foot (not shown) of a seat of the motor vehicle

relative to the slide 12.

  In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a slide 12 of a shape analogous to the slide mentioned in the first embodiment of the invention, can be immobilized relative to the floor 14 of the vehicle by a deformable element 20 enclosed in a deformable longitudinal sheath 47

  îo constituting the element 18 for fixing the floor 14.

  In this second embodiment, the deformable element 20 has, in cross section, the shape of an inverted chevron in the retracted position shown in FIG. 5 and has the shape of a horizontal bar in the

  expanded immobilization position shown in Figure 6.

  In a similar manner to the first embodiment, the lower part 16 for fixing the slide comprises two symmetrical longitudinal immobilization housings 19 which each have, in cross section, the shape of a C whose concavity is turned towards the plane P, and which are each intended to receive an end 36 of one of the two branches of the rafter 20 when the latter passes to its expanded position shown in FIG. 6 by deforming the sheath 47 of the element

18 for fixing the floor.

  During assembly, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the element 18 for fixing the floor is first of all compressed transversely by pinching by compression means (not shown) so as to have a transverse size less than 1 space left free between the two wings 24 of the slide 12. This free space allows the introduction of the fixing element 18 in the

housings 19 of the slide 12.

B424.DOC 2789453

  Simultaneously, a lower face 48 of the transverse bottom 22 of the upper part 13 of the slide 12 comes into contact with the sheath 47 of the fixing element 18 and presses through the sheath 36 on the deformable element 20 so that it deforms by extending transversely

in accommodation 19.

  In this way, the slide 12 is immobilized transversely relative to the floor 14 by means of the wings 24 which cooperate transversely with the sheath 47, is immobilized vertically upwards by the element 20 of

  fixing which immobilizes the slide 12 by pressing simultaneously

  ment under the lower transverse face 48 of the bottom 22 of the active upper part 13 of the slide 12 and on the faces

  upper 50 of the wings 24 of the slide 12.

  1 5 It will be noted that, as long as the deformation of the deformable element 20 is sufficiently great, it may advantageously be sufficient to immobilize the slide 12 longitudinally relative to the floor 14 by the sole friction contact of the sheath 47 to 1 inside the housings 19 of the slide 12. For this purpose, the sheath 47 may include grooves allowing better attachment along the housings 19. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide 12 is immobilized by by means of a vertical rod which vertically crosses the slide and the floor 14, in particular the threaded rod of a fixing screw (not shown) which crosses the bottom 22 of the upper part 13 activates the slide 12 and which is received in

  a captive nut (not shown) secured to the floor 14.

  FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention in which the deformable element 20 is produced integrally with the lower part 16 of

fixing the slide 12.

B424.DOC

  In this embodiment, the upper active part 13 of the slide 12 is substantially symmetrical, but the lower part 16 for fixing the slide 12 is not symmetrical and comprises, on the left in FIGS. 7 to 9, a first wing 52 horizontal fixed transverse which is intended to cooperate with an angle L 54 inverted integrally with the floor 14 of the vehicle, and comprises, to the right in Figures 7 to 9, a second wing 56 horizontal transverse which is movable transversely and which is intended to cooperate with an angle 58 also produced

  integral with the floor 14 of the vehicle.

  The fixed and movable arms 52 of the lower part 16 for fixing the slide 12 extend transversely outwards, while horizontal arms 60 of the

  angle 54 and 62 of angle 58 extend transverse-

  inwardly so as, as shown in FIG. 8, define respective housings 61 and 63 making it possible to immobilize the arms 52 and 56 of the part respectively

lower fixing 16.

  On the side of the wing 56 movable transverse horizontal of the lower part 16 for fixing the slide 12, to the right of FIGS. 7 to 9, the slide 12 has an internal side wall 64 with offset planes, vertical and rigid, and a wall lateral lateral vertical and rigid vertical 66 at the lower end of which the second movable horizontal wing 56 is arranged. Between the rigid walls 64 and elastic 66 is arranged the deformable element 20 which has, in cross section, the shape of a chevron in the rest position, as illustrated in FIG. 8, and which has the shape of an inverted chevron in

  expanded position for immobilizing the slide 12.

B424.DOC

  Advantageously, a horizontal lower face 68 of the rigid wall 64 can bear, as shown in FIG. 8, on the upper face 30 of the floor 14 so as to ensure good stability of the slide 12 on the floor 14. When the deformable element 20 is subjected to the vertical mounting force 30 shown in FIG. 9, it deforms and spreads outwards the elastic wall 66, which has the consequence of spreading the wing io transversely outwards horizontal 56 transverse movable so as to immobilize the slide 12 transversely and vertically relative to the

angles 54 and 58 of the floor 14.

  Advantageously, the deformation of the deformable element 20 can be obtained by means of at least one control cam 70 which is slidably mounted longitudinally in a groove 76 above the deformable element 20, so that, when the cam 70 is moved longitudinally, an inclined face 72 of the cam 70 is supported on the deformable element 20 and exerts the vertical force F

  down to deform the deformable element 20.

  FIG. 10 more precisely illustrates a slide 74 carrying a series of cams 70 intended to actuate as many deformable elements 20, the slide 74 being for example guided in the longitudinal groove 76 of the slide 12 shown in FIG. 9, for sliding longitudinally under the action of a tensile force T shown in Figure 10 and exert the vertical mounting force F on the elements

  deformable 20 associated with the slide 12.

  Advantageously, the deformable element 20 makes it possible, by placing the lower branches 52 and 56 of the slide 12 in support under the angles 60 and 58 of the floor 14, to immobilize the slide 12 transversely and vertically.

B424.DOC 2789453

  relative to the floor 14, and a complementary longitudinal immobilization of the slide 12 relative to the floor 14 can be obtained by means of a vertical cylindrical rod,

  which crosses both the slide 12 and the floor 14.

  In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this vertical cylindrical rod is a rod threaded with a screw 78 which is received in a captive nut 80 arranged under the floor

14 of the vehicle.

  Advantageously, the arrangement 10 allows immo-

  lo quickly mobilize a slide relative to a vehicle floor after it has been brought into position, immobilization being achieved by three mounting operations, a first consisting of the vertical introduction of the slide 12 between the angles 54 and 58, a second consisting in exerting the tensile force T on the slide 74 to immobilize transversely and vertically the slide 12 relative to the floor 14, and a third and last consisting in the screwing of the screw 78 in the captive nut 80 to immobilize the longitudinal slide 12 relative to the

floor 14.

  The simplicity of these operations saves appreciable time during the manufacturing process and therefore makes it possible to significantly reduce the costs of mounting such a slide on such a floor 14 of the vehicle, for example by

  using an automated installation.

B424.DOC

Claims (17)

  1. Arrangement (10) for the rapid fixing of a slide (12), in particular of a motor vehicle seat, of the   s type which includes a sensitive longitudinal slide (12)   ment symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal and vertical plane (P), a lower part (16) of substantially longitudinal orientation of which is intended to be fixed to a floor (14) of the vehicle while being immobilized therein in three longitudinal directions , transverse and vertical, characterized in that it comprises at least one deformable longitudinal element (20) which is interposed between the lower part (16) for fixing the slide (12) and the floor (14) and which is susceptible, when subjected to a mounting force, to pass from a retracted mounting position to an expanded immobilization position in which it immobilizes the slide (12) relative to the floor (14) following at least two directions.   2. Arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformable element (20) immobilizes the slide (12) relative to the floor (14) according to at least the   vertical and transverse directions.   3. Arrangement (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, in cross section, the deformable element (20) passes substantially from the shape of a rafter in retracted mounting position, to the shape of a horizontal bar in the expanded immobilization position when it is   subjected to a vertical direction mounting effort (F).   4. Arrangement (10) according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the element   (20) deformable is attached to the assembly between the part B424.DOC 2789453   lower (16) for fixing the slide (12) and an element (18) for fixing the floor.   5. Arrangement (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower fixing part (16) comprises two symmetrical and opposite longitudinal housings (19) which, in cross section, each have the shape of a C, and in that the element (18) for fixing the floor comprises at least two opposite longitudinal angles (28), which extend vertically from the floor To (14), which each have in cross section the shape of an inverted L , and of which horizontal branches (32) are received for mounting in the longitudinal C-shaped housings (19)   of the lower fixing part (16).   6. Arrangement (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least two symmetrical and opposite parts (34) of the deformable element (20) are received in the longitudinal C-shaped housings (19) of the lower part ( 16) of fixing to deform during mounting, extend transversely in the longitudinal housings (19) in C and immobilize transversely and vertically the horizontal branches (32) of the angles in the housings (19)   longitudinal in C of the lower fixing part (16).   7. Arrangement (10) according to one of claims 5 or   6, characterized in that the concavity of the housings (19) of the lower fixing part (16) and the horizontal branches (32) of the angles (28) of the floor fixing element (18) are turned internally towards the median plane (P) of symmetry, and in that lower horizontal wings (24) of the housings (19) have recesses (26) of transverse orientation intended to allow passage   vertical as many associated angles (28). B424.DOC   8. Arrangement (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the deformable element (20) is made integrally with the lower part (16) for fixing the slide (12).   9. Arrangement (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the lower part (16) for fixing the slide (12) comprises a first horizontal wing (52) fixed transverse and a second wing (56) horizontal transverse movable transversely which extend outwards and which are intended to be received for mounting in two opposite longitudinal housings (61, 63) of the element (18) for fixing the floor (14), symmetrical with respect to the median plane ( P), which are delimited by the floor (14) and by two angles (54,58) in the shape of an inverted L whose horizontal branches (60,62) are turned inwards and which extend vertically from the floor (14), the transversely movable wing (56) of the lower fixing part (16) being controlled by the deformable element (20) produced integrally with the lower fixing part (16) of the slide (12).   10. Arrangement (10) according to claim 9,   characterized in that the slide (12) comprises transverse-   ment on the same side two parallel vertical walls (64, 66) comprising a rigid internal lateral wall (64) and an elastic external lateral wall (66) at the lower end of which the second horizontal wing (56) is arranged mobile, and in that the deformable element (20) is arranged   transversely between the two walls (64, 66).   11. Arrangement (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the transverse dimensions of the first wing (52) fixed and second wing (56) movable is less than the transverse distance between the two B424.DOC 2789453   vertical branches of the angles (54,58) in L shape of the floor (14) to allow mounting in the vertical direction   when the deformable element (20) is in the retracted position.   12. Arrangement (10) according to any one of   claims 10 or 11 taken in combination with the   claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one control cam (70) which is slidably mounted between the internal and external lateral walls (64, 66) of the slide (12) in contact with the element (20) deformable to exert the force lo (F) of vertical mounting on the element (20) deformable   when it slides longitudinally.   13. Arrangement (10) according to any one of   Claims 5 to 12, characterized in that the angles (54,   58) are made integrally with the floor (14).   13. Arrangement (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the deformable element (20) is an inverted chevron enclosed in a deformable longitudinal sheath (47) which constitutes an element (18) for fixing the floor (14).   14. Arrangement (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the lower part (16) for fixing the slide (12) comprises two symmetrical and opposite longitudinal housings (19) which in cross section each have the shape of a C whose concavity is turned towards the median longitudinal plane (P) and which are intended to receive corresponding parts of the rafter (20) enclosed in the deformable longitudinal sheath (47) when it passes into position   expanded under the action of mounting effort.   15. Arrangement (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the two longitudinal housings (19) are connected at the top of the C by a horizontal bottom (12) of the slide (12) forming a bearing surface for exercising the effort (F) B424.DOC   mounting on the sheath (47) containing the inverted chevron (20). 16. Arrangement (10) according to any one of   Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the sheath (47) is   metallic and welded to the floor (14) of the vehicle. 17. Arrangement according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the slide (12) is a profile.