FR2793199A1 - Bolt assembly for fixing automobile seat to vehicle floor has cylindrical locking body locked in strike plate by clamping between retractable ball and annular ball masking part displacing axially around body - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly comprises a bolt (14) with a cylindrical locking body (16) and a strike plate with a hole for the bolt. The locking body is locked in the strike plate by clamping it between a retractable ball (36) and an annular part (54), masking the ball, which displaces axially around the body. A removable spacer (56) inserted between the masking part and the axial stop (32C) holds the masking part in its ball masking position when the bolt is separated from the strike plate. The body can be fitted in the strike plate after separation of the spacer from the body.

Description

The present invention relates to a lock assembly, intended in particular for

  fixing a seat for a motor vehicle on a floor of this vehicle, and a

piece for this set.

  There is already known in the prior art a bolt assembly, of the type comprising a bolt, provided with a generally cylindrical locking body, a keeper, provided with a bolt socket orifice, releasable means for locking the body in a position for fitting into the orifice of the keeper by tightening this keeper between at least one retractable ball and an annular member for masking this ball, mounted axially movable around the body, and holding means of the organ

  masking position in the masking position of the ball when the bolt is separated from the keeper.

  A lock assembly of this type is described for example in FR-A-2 735

174 (FR-95 06 868).

  The means for holding the lock assembly described in this document comprise a spring resiliently recalling the masking member in the position for masking the ball. This spring automatically replaces the

  masking in the ball masking position as soon as the bolt is separated from the keeper.

  The lock assembly described in the above document makes it possible, for example, to detachably hang a seat on the floor of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle of the unibody type. In this case, the bolt locking body is connected to a base of the seat and the keeper is secured to the floor. The lock assembly therefore allows a user to easily remove or replace the seat in the passenger compartment as required. In some cases, the removable nature of the seat is not sought, so that the lock assembly of the type described in FR-A-2 735 174, relatively complex, does not

  seems unsuitable for permanent hanging of the seat on the floor.

  The object of the invention is to propose a locking assembly of the aforementioned type, of simple structure, adapted in particular for easy and permanent attachment of a

  seat on the floor of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

  To this end, the subject of the invention is a lock assembly of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the holding means comprise a removable spacer, surrounding the locking body, axially interposed between the masking member and an axial stop connected to the body, this body cannot be fitted into the orifice of the

  striker only after separation of the spacer from the body.

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  According to other characteristics of this lock assembly - the spacer has the general shape of a split ring forming a clamp with two branches; the spacer has a pulling handle intended to be pulled to separate the spacer from the locking body; - The masking member comprises an internal annular groove cooperating with the ball when this masking member is in the position for masking the ball; the masking member and the spacer are made of plastic and are interconnected by frangible means integrally formed with this masking member and this spacer; - The connecting means comprise, associated with each branch of the spacer, a flexible plastic tab connecting the free end of the branch and the external contour of the annular masking member; - The masking member cooperates with the axial stop after separation of the spacer from the locking body and fitting of this body into the opening of the keeper; - The ball is movable in the locking body between protruding and retracted positions by means of a needle mounted movable axially in the locking body and resiliently biased towards a position for holding the ball in protruding position; - the bolt is carried by a support through which the body of

  locking, this support forming the axial stop or a support for this axial stop.

  The invention also relates to a plastic part, characterized in that it comprises two parts connected together by frangible means, made integrally with these parts, this part being intended to be mounted on a lock assembly such as defined above, so that the two parts of the part form

  respectively the masking member and the spacer.

  The invention also relates to an arrangement of a lock assembly as defined above, characterized in that the bolt is connected to a vehicle seat

  automobile and the keeper is secured to a floor of this vehicle.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows,

  given only by way of example and made with reference to the drawings, in which:

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  - Figure I is a perspective view of a lock assembly according to the invention, the bolt of the latter being separated from the keeper; - Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of the latch assembly shown in Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a front view of the latch assembly, the bolt of the latter being fitted into the keeper; - Figure 4 is an axial sectional view of the latch assembly shown in Figure 3 - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the plastic part intended to form the masking member and the spacer of the lock assembly shown on

Figures I and 2.

  There is shown in Figures 1 to 4 a lock assembly according to the invention

  designated by the general reference 10.

  This lock assembly is intended to fix, for example, a seat for a motor vehicle on a floor 12 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) of the passenger compartment of this vehicle. The locking assembly 10 comprises a bolt 14, provided with a locking body 16 of generally cylindrical shape, and a keeper 18, provided with an orifice 20 for fitting the bolt 14 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The keeper is fixed in a manner known per se

on the floor 12.

  The fitting hole 20 extends between two opposite faces 18A, 18B of the

  keep which has a general form of plate.

  The bolt 14 is carried by a support 22, of general shape in "Q2". This support 22 comprises a core 24 connecting two lugs 26 for attaching this support to a base element of the seat. This element is, for example, a slide rail 28, as shown schematically in Figure 2 in phantom. The legs 26 of the support are fixed in a manner known per se, for example by screwing or riveting, on the element of

seat base.

  The locking body 16 extends, preferably with radial clearance, through

  a bore 30 formed in the core 24 of the support.

  The core 24 of the support is interposed between a head 161 of the locking body and an anti-matting sleeve 32, surrounding this body 16, extended by a flange 32C in

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  support against the core 24 of the support. A wavy washer 34 with axial elastic effect is

  interposed between the head 16I and the core 24 of the support.

  The lock assembly 10 also comprises releasable means for locking the body 16 in the position of fitting into the orifice 20 of the keeper. These locking means comprise at least one ball 36, retractable mounted in the body 16. Preferably, the body 16 comprises several balls 36, for example three, housed in a manner known per se in corresponding radial channels 38, spaced

  angularly, arranged in this body 16.

  The balls 36 can be moved between protruding and retracted positions by means of a conventional needle 40 slidably mounted in an axial bore 42 of the body

  16. This bore 42 communicates with the radial channels 38.

  The needle 40 is movable between a first end-of-travel position, in which it maintains the balls 36 in a projecting position, as shown in FIG. 4, and a second end-of-travel position, in which it allows

  the retraction of the balls 36 in the body 16, as shown in FIG. 2.

  The needle 40 is returned elastically to its first end-of-travel position by a thrust spring 44, housed around the needle 40 in the bore 42, interposed between a shoulder 46 of the needle 40 and a bearing 50 of axial guidance of this

needle 40, integral with body 16.

  The means for locking the body 16 in the keeper 18 also comprise a plastic part 52 which is shown in detail in FIG. 5 before it is mounted on the body 16. The part 52 comprises a first part forming an annular member 54 intended, after mounting on the body 16, on the one hand, to mask the balls 36 when the bolt 14 is separated from the keeper 18, as shown in Figures I and 2 and, on the other hand, to tighten the keeper 18 when the body 16 is fitted into the orifice 20 of the keeper 18, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The internal diameter of the masking member 54 is adapted to allow the axial movement of this member 54 along

body 16.

  The part 52 also includes a second part forming a removable spacer 56, intended to surround the body 16, so as to maintain the masking member 54 in the position for masking the balls 36 when the body 16 is separated from the keeper 18,

  as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

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  The spacer 56 has the general shape of a split ring forming a clamp with two branches. Furthermore, the spacer 56 comprises a ring forming a traction loop 58 intended to be pulled to separate this spacer 56 from the body 16, as will be described

thereafter.

  The masking member 54 and the spacer 56 are interconnected by frangible means integrally with this member 54 and this spacer 56. Preferably, these frangible connecting means comprise, associated with each branch of the spacer 56 , a flexible frangible plastic tab 60 connecting the free end of the

  branch to the external contour of the masking member 54.

  The part 52 is placed on the body 16, for example, by first threading the spacer 56 then the masking member 54 around the body 16, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. On this Figure 2, it will be noted that the internal contour of the masking member 54, delimited by an annular groove 54I, cooperates with the balls 36 so as to keep them in their retracted position. It can also be seen in this FIG. 2 that the spacer 56 is interposed axially between the masking member 54 and the flange 32C of the sleeve 32 forming an axial stop. Note that the core 24 of the support forms a support for the collar 32C. Alternatively, the socket 32 could be

  removed, the axial stop being in this case formed by the core 24 of the support.

  Before locking the bolt in the keeper 18, the lock assembly 10 is in the configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The spacer 56 prevents any inadvertent axial displacement of the masking member 54 in the direction of the flange 32C of the socket. The balls 36 are therefore held in their retracted position by

the masking member 54.

  When the user wishes to lock the bolt 14 in the keeper 18, first of all, he pulls on the handle 58 of the spacer 56, so as to cause the breaking of the frangible tabs 60. This makes it possible to separate the spacer 56 of the body 16 for locking by spacing the branches of this spacer. Then, the user fits the body 16 into the orifice 20 of the keeper, so that the first face 18A of this keeper cooperates with the masking member 54 which remains on the body 16, so as to move this member 54 axially in the direction of the collar 32C of the sleeve. The balls 36 are then released, which allows the needle 40 to move, under the effect of the return spring 44, to its first end-of-travel position, in which it maintains the balls 36

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  in their projecting position, so as to automatically lock the bolt 16 in the

  keeper 18, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

  It will be noted that the rupture of the tongues 60 results from the combined actions of the traction exerted by the user on the handle 58 and the spacing of the free ends of the branches of the spacer 56. It will also be noted, considering for example the Figure 4, that the body 16 is locked in the orifice 20 of the keeper 18 by tightening this keeper 18 between the balls 36, which cooperate with the second face 18B of the keeper, and the masking member 54, which cooperate with the first face 18A of the keeper. The masking member 54 is immobilized

  axially by cooperation with the collar 32C forming an axial stop.

  The bolt 16 is normally intended to remain permanently locked in the keeper 18. However, if necessary, the bolt 14 can be separated from the keeper 18 by moving the needle 40 against the return force of the spring 42, for example by lifting an end 40E external to the body 16 of this needle, using a conventional tool. This has the effect of allowing the retraction of the balls 36 and thus the extraction of the body 16 from the orifice 20 of the keeper. If necessary, the masking member 54 can be moved axially using a conventional tool, so as to position it at the level of the

  balls 36 and prevent their return to their projecting position.

  We can even consider replacing the spacer 56 around the body 16, between the flange 32C and the masking member, so as to maintain the latter in its position

masking balls 36.

  Among the advantages of the invention, it will be noted that it makes it possible to automatically hang a seat on a floor of a motor vehicle, without having to use any particular tool, this with reliable and relatively simple means. Furthermore, if necessary, the bolt of the lock assembly according to the invention can be easily

  unlocked to be separated from the keeper.

  Furthermore, the masking member, the spacer and the frangible connecting means can be produced in a single plastic part, that is to say in a single

molding operation.

  Finally, the bolt of the lock assembly according to the invention can be fixed to the base of a seat, prior to the mounting of this seat on a vehicle floor, the spacer preventing the inadvertent movement of the masking member. during the

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  transportation and handling of this seat. This spacer can be easily separated

  of the bolt just before the bolt fits into the strike.

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Claims (11)

  1. Lock assembly, of the type comprising: - a bolt (14), provided with a locking body (16) of generally cylindrical shape, - a keeper (18), provided with a fitting hole (20) of the bolt, - releasable means for locking the body (16) in a position for fitting into the orifice (20) of the keeper by tightening this keeper (18) between at least one retractable ball (36) and a member annular (54) for masking this ball (36), mounted axially movable around the body (16), and - means (56) for holding the masking member (54) in the position for masking the ball (36 ) when the bolt (14) is separated from the keeper (18), characterized in that the holding means comprise a removable spacer (56) surrounding the locking body (16), interposed axially between the masking member ( 54) and an axial stop (32C) connected to the body (16), this body (16) being able to be fitted into the orifice (20) of the strike only after separation of the '' spacer (56) with the body (16).   2. Lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that   the spacer (56) has the general shape of a split ring forming a clamp with two branches.   3. Lock assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spacer (56) comprises a pulling handle (58) intended to be pulled to separate   the spacer (56) with the locking body (16).   4. Lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the masking member (54) has an internal annular groove (541) cooperating with the ball (36) when this masking member (54) is in the position of masking the ball (36).   5. Lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the masking member (54) and the spacer (56) are made of plastic and are interconnected by frangible means (60) made in one piece with this   masking (54) and this spacer (56).   6. Lock assembly according to claims 2 and 5 taken together,   characterized in that the connecting means comprise, associated with each branch of the spacer (56), a flexible plastic tongue (60) connecting the free end of the   branch and the outer contour of the annular masking member (54). 9 2793199   7. Lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the masking member (54) cooperates with the axial stop (32C) after separation of the spacer (56) from the locking body (16) and fitting of this   body (16) in the opening (20) of the strike.   8. Lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the ball (36) is movable in the locking body (16) between protruding and retracted positions by means of a needle (40) mounted axially displaceable in the locking body (16) and resiliently biased towards a position   holding the ball (36) in the projecting position.   9. Lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the bolt (14) is carried by a support (22) through which extends the locking body (16), this support (22) forming the axial stop or a support for this axial stop (32C).   10. Plastic part, characterized in that it comprises two parts interconnected by frangible means (60) integrally with these parts, this part being intended to be mounted on a lock assembly according to any one of   Claims I to 9, so that the two parts of the part form respectively   the masking member (54) and the spacer (56).   11. Arrangement of a lock assembly according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bolt (14) is connected to a vehicle seat   automobile and the keeper (18) is integral with a floor (12) of this vehicle.