Disc recliner assembly with fold-flat latch link mechanism

Abstract

A recliner assembly allows adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions and further allows the seat back to move from a seating position to a fowardly folded-flat position and back to the original seating position. The recliner assembly comprises a seat back bracket rotatably assembled to a seat cushion bracket. The seat back bracket is fixedly attached to the seat back. The cushion bracket is fixedly attached to the seat cushion. The recliner assembly further includes a disc recliner having an outer disc rotatably assembled to and releasably lockingly engaged with an inner disc. The inner disc is fixedly attached to the seat cushion bracket. A shaft rotatably journalized to the outer and inner discs is moveable from an unreleased position to a released position, whereby the outer disc is released from locking engagement with the inner disc. A latch link having first and second ends is pivotally mounted at its first end to the outer disc. The second end of the latch link is defined by a cam surface. A slot is formed in the latch link adjacent to the cam surface. A striker pin outwardly extends from the seat back bracket. The striker pin is rotatably held by and releasable from latching engagement with the slot formed in the latch link. A biasing member biases the slot formed in the latch link against the striker pin of the seat back bracket.

1. A recliner assembly for providing pivotal movement of a seat back relative to a seat cushion of an automotive vehicle seat, said recliner assembly comprising:
 a seat back bracket having an upper end, a lower end, and an intermediate region extending therebetween, said upper end of said seat back bracket adapted to be fixedly attached to the seat back;  
 a seat cushion bracket having a first end and a second end, said second end pivotally connected to said intermediate region of said seat back bracket, said first end of said seat cushion bracket adapted to be fixedly attached to the seat cushion;  
 a disc recliner operatively coupled between said seat back bracket and said seat cushion bracket for allowing limited pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions in a released position and preventing movement thereof in an unreleased position;  
 a striker pin extending outwardly from said lower end of said seat back bracket;  
 a latch link having first and second ends, said first end of said latch link pivotally mounted to said disc recliner, said second end defined by a cam surface, said latch link having a slot formed adjacent to said cam surface disposed between said first and second ends of said latch link for receiving said striker pin and retaining the seat back in said reclined seating position;  
 said latch link being pivotal between a locked position wherein said striker pin is received and retained within said slot when the seat back is in said reclined seating position and an unlocked position releasing said striker pin from said slot for allowing pivotal movement of the seat back about the seat cushion while said disc recliner remains in said unreleased position; and  
 a biasing member having first and second ends, said first end of said biasing member fixedly attached to said disc recliner, said second end of said biasing member fixedly attached to said latch link for continuously biasing said slot of said latch link into latching engagement with said striker pin at said lower end of said seat back bracket.