FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A LOCKING SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY RESTRICTING OPERATION OF A SEAT SLIDER MECHANISM
APPLICANT(S)
TATA MOTORS LIMITED
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India; an Indian company.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] Present disclosure relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a seat sliding mechanism. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the locking arrangement of the seat sliding that imparts a selectively restricting the operation of seat sliding mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present disclosure.
[003] Automobiles, particularly passenger automobiles or vehicles [herein referred to as vehicles], have seat adjusters for selectively adjusting the position of the vehicle seat as per the comfort of an occupant. The same seating positions may not be comfortable to the occupant in all driving conditions. Therefore, seat adjustment is required for comfortable driving.
[004] Manual seat adjustment mechanism provide horizontal seat adjustment by a slider lever. There may tendency of the occupant to adjust the seat position while driving the vehicle. This may affect the concertation of the occupant. In some cases, people or animals may come in front of the vehicle while crossing the road. There may be a possibility of other vehicle may come in front the vehicle from wrong side while driving which may leads to collision of vehicle or fatal accidents.
[005] Varieties of systems devised for occupant safety such as seat belt, air bags etc. However, it is desirable to restrict the seat sliding movement while driving the vehicle to ensure safe driving.

[006] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the system/assembly as claimed, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the system/assembly/method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
[008] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a locking system for selectively restricting the operation of seat slider mechanism is disclosed. The locking system comprises a seat slider mechanism, which includes a lever and sliding arrangement. The sliding arrangement may operate by the lever to enable seat displacement in a horizontal direction. The locking system further comprises of a plate that vertically disposed on the lever. The plate may have an opening configured thereon. A rack is slidably connected to the plate by means of the opening for facilitating locked and unlocked condition of the lever. In the locked condition the rack is in engaged position with the plate and in unlocked condition the rack is in disengaged position with the plate. An occupant may restricted from operating the seat sliding mechanism when lever is in locked condition.
[009] The locking system further comprises of a pinion that is slidably connected with the rack for facilitating movement of the rack and thereby of the lever. A prime mover is connected to the pinion to facilitate movement of the pinion and an actuation mechanism for actuating the prime mover.

[0010] In an embodiment, the actuation mechanism for selectively restricting operation of seat sliding mechanism may linked to a parking brake, wherein the rack moves to a disengaged position when the parking brake is engaged.
[0011] In an embodiment, the actuation mechanism for selectively restricting operation may linked to a control unit, wherein the rack remains in an engage position when the vehicle engine is operating. The control unit may Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Vehicle Control unit, Electronic Control Module or any means which can provide engine ON or engine OFF status.
[0012] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0014] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a locking system for selectively restricting operation of seat slider mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the locking system of Figure 1.
[0017] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the locking system with rack is configured in retracted position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the locking system with rack is configured in extended position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of pinion and bar mechanism for enable the movement of rack, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a locking system with actuation mechanism to enable the movement of rack, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a locking system with actuation mechanism to enable the movement of rack, according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the Figures 1 to 7, and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] Before describing detailed embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides in an locking system for selectively restricting operation of a seat slider mechanism. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated by the present disclosure and modify the various constructions of the body structure, and the vehicle. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
[0025] In the present disclosure, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0026] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does

not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[0027] The terms like "at least one" and "one or more" may be used interchangeably or in combination throughout the description.
[0028] While the present disclosure is illustrated in the context of a locking system for seat sliding mechanism, however, locking system and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of seat sliding mechanism as well.
[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a locking system that selectively restricts operation of seat slider mechanism. The locking system is designed to arrest the movement of seat sliding lever based on inputs from actuation mechanism. Generally, the existing seat slider mechanism has a configuration of a lever that moves the seat at desired position in horizontal direction. However, the said sliding mechanism do not restricts the adjustment of seat slider while driving the vehicle that is one of the unsafe condition to adjust the seat at comfortable position.
[0030] Accordingly, the locking system for selectively restricting operation of a seat slider mechanism of the present invention comprises a seat slider mechanism defined with a lever positioned below the seat cushion and sliding arrangement that operated by lever to adjust the seat at desired position in horizontal direction.
[0031] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In Figures 1 to 7, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1 to 7, which relates to a locking system for selectively restricting operation of a seat slider mechanism (100) of a vehicle hereinafter, is referred to as “system”. The seat sliding mechanism [not completely disclosed in Figures] may include number of components including seat, seat slider track that may complement and/or supplement operations for seat sliding arrangement.
[0033] The system (100) comprises a seat slider mechanism. The seat slider mechanism comprises of a lever (101) and a sliding arrangement (105). The seat slider mechanism arranged below the seat cushion (10a). The sliding arrangement
(105) operated by the lever (101) to adjust the seat (10) at desired position in
horizontal direction. Further, the system (100) includes a plate (102) attached to the
lever (101) for selectively arresting the movement of the lever (101), a rack (103)
slidably attached to the seat (10) and a actuation mechanism configured to enable
the movement of the rack (103) in an engaged or disengaged position with respect
to the plate (102). As the movement of the lever (101) arrested by the plate (102),
an occupant refrain to move the seat (10) by the lever (101).
[0034] In an embodiment, in order to arrest seat displacement in horizontal direction the system (100) includes a plate (102) that vertically disposed on the lever (101) wherein the plate (102) may have an opening (102a) that configured to engage with rack (103). The rack (103) may configured with a base (103a) from a shape selected from a set of “I”, “Z”, “T”, “J”, “V” and alike to secure the teeth (103b). The teeth may have predefined angle.
[0035] In an embodiment, the rack (103) and the pinion (104) attached to the seat (10) and configured to be operated by the prime mover (106). The prime mover
(106) may mounted below the seat cushion using mounting means (107). The prime
mover (106) may bolted to the seat (10) by mounting means (107). The mounting
means (107) may be a bracket with bolting arrangement or similar arrangement
configured to attach the prime mover (106). The prime mover (106) may move

along with the seat cushion when seat (10) moves along with seat sliding lever (101). The prime mover may be an electric motor.
[0036] In an embodiment one end of the rack (103) may attached to the seat (10). The rack (103) may be rack to engage with the pinion (104). The one end of the pinion (104) configured to attach with shaft of the prime mover (106). The pinion (104) may configured to rotate along with the prime mover (106). The pinion (104) configured to engage with the rack (103) to convert rotary motion of the pinion (104) into sliding motion of the rack (103). The sliding motion may include a linear motion.
[0037] In an embodiment, the plate (102) may configured to arrest the rack (103) for selectively locking the movement of the lever (101) based on inputs received from the actuation mechanism. The plate (102) is configured with opening (102a) to arrest the movement of lever (101). The plate (102) may attached to the lever (101) by any attaching means. The attaching means may welding or any similar joining process.
[0038] In an embodiment, the actuation mechanism for selectively restricting operation may be linked to a parking brake system (200). The parking brake system (200) comprises of a parking brake (210), a parking switch (220) and a cable (230). The parking switch provides parking brake status i.e. parking brake is applied or released status. The rack (103) moves to a disengaged position only when the parking brake (210) is engaged. The rack (103) may in retracted position when the parking brake (210) is engaged. The rack (103) may in extended position when the parking brake (210) is disengaged.
[0039] In an embodiment, when the parking brake is not applied, the parking switch (220) sends the signal to the prime mover (106) and accordingly the prime mover (106) operates to move the rack (103) in extended position. When the rack (103) is in extended position, the opening (102a) of the plate (102) structured such that the

part of the rack (103) moves inside the opening (102a) to arrest the upward movement of the lever (101). By arresting the movement of the rack (103) the occupant may not be able to operate the seat sliding mechanism (105).
[0040] In an embodiment, when the parking brake is released, the parking switch (220) sends the signal to the prime mover (106) and accordingly the prime mover (106) operates to move the rack (103) in retracted position. When the rack (103) is in retracted position the plate (102) disengages from the rack (103) that allow the movement of the lever (101) and the occupant may able to operate the seat sliding mechanism (105) to adjust the seat (10) at desired position.
[0041] In an embodiment, the cable (230) may be wire or any connecting means to connect the actuation mechanism including parking brake system (200) to the prime mover (106).
[0042] The figure 7 refers to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the actuation mechanism may linked to a control unit (300) of the vehicle. The control unit may Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Vehicle Control unit, Electronic Control Module or any means which can provide engine ON or engine OFF status.
[0043] The control unit (300) provides the engine ON and engine OFF status. When engine is ON, the prime mover (106) operates to move the rack (103) in extended position and moves inside the opening (102a). This configuration may arrest the upward movement of the lever (101) and achieves locked condition of lever (101). Thereby restricts the operation the seat sliding mechanism (105).
[0044] When the engine is OFF, the prime mover (106) operates to move the rack (103) in retracted position and disengages from the opening (102a) of plate (102). This configuration may allow the movement of the lever (101) that achieves unlocked condition of lever (101). The occupant may able to operate the seat sliding mechanism.

[0045] In accordance with the present disclosure, the system (100), as explained in the above paragraphs, is capable to arrest the movement of the lever (101) based on the inputs received from the actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism may be parking brake system, control unit, vehicle control unit, electronic control unit, electronic control module or similar system or mechanism to provide input signal for actuating the prime mover (106).
[0046] The various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the subject matter of the disclosure to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.
[0047] Herein, the terms “attached”, “connected”, “interconnected”, “contacting”, “mounted”, “coupled” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.
[0048] Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0049] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or

addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0050] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

[0051] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Sr. No. Description
10 Seat
10a Seat Cushion
100 Locking System
101 Lever
102 Plate
102a Opening
103 Rack
103a Base
103b Teeth
104 Pinion
105 Sliding arrangement
106 Prime Mover
107 Mounting Means for attaching Prime mover
200 Parking brake system
210 Parking brake lever
220 Parking switch
230 Cable
300 Control Unit

[0052] EQUIVALENTS:
The embodiments herein, the various features, and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

We Claim:
1. A locking system (100) for selectively restricting operation of a seat slider
mechanism of a vehicle, wherein the seat slider mechanism includes a lever
(101) and a sliding arrangement (105), such that the sliding arrangement
(105) operated by the lever (101), to enable seat displacement in a horizontal
direction, the locking system (100) for selectively arresting the movement
of the lever (101) includes
a plate (102), vertically disposed on the lever (101), wherein the plate (102) having an opening (102a) configured thereon;
a rack (103), slidably connected to the plate (102) by means of the opening (102a), for facilitating locked and unlocked condition of the lever (101), wherein in the locked condition the rack (103) is in engaged position with the plate (102) and in unlocked condition the rack (103) is in disengaged position with the plate (102);
a pinion (104) slidably connected with the rack (103) for facilitating movement of the rack (103) and thereby of the lever (101);
a prime mover (106) connected to the pinion (104) and facilitates movement of the pinion (104); and
an actuation mechanism for actuating the prime mover (106).
2. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rack (103) and the pinion (104) arranged below of the seat (10) and configured to be operated by the prime mover (106).
3. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism for actuating the prime mover (106) is linked to a parking brake mechanism (200), wherein the parking switch (220) sends the parking brake position signal to the prime mover (106).

4. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the parking brake position signal is any one of parking brake is applied and parking brake is released.
5. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein- when the parking brake is released the prime mover (106) operates to move the rack (103) in extended position and moves inside the opening (102a) to arrest the upward movement of the lever (101) that achieves locked condition of lever (101) and restrict the operation the seat sliding mechanism (105).
6. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein- when the parking brake is applied, the prime mover (106) operates to move the rack (103) in retracted position and disengages from the opening (102a) of plate (102) that allow the movement of the lever (101) that achieves unlocked condition of lever (101).
7. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism for actuating the prime mover (106) is linked to a control unit (300), wherein the control unit (300) is arranged to provide engine ON and OFF status.
8. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 7,wherein- when an engine is ON the prime mover (106) operates to move the rack (103) in extended position and moves inside the opening (102a) to arrest the upward movement of the lever (101) that achieves locked condition of lever (101) and restrict the operation the seat sliding mechanism (105).
9. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein- when the engine is OFF, the prime mover (106) operates to move the rack (103) in retracted position and disengages from the opening (102a) of plate (102) that allow

the movement of the lever (101) that achieves unlocked condition of lever (101).
10. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control unit may Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Vehicle Control unit, Electronic Control Module or any means which can provide engine ON or engine OFF status.
11. The locking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prime mover (106) is an electric motor.