Patents Examined by Anthony D. Barfield
  • Patent number: 11975845
    Abstract: A passenger seat for an aircraft is described. The passenger seat is configurable between an upright position and a bed position. The upright position may be provided for taxi, take-off and landing events. The bed position, also referred to as a lie-flat position, is provided for long-haul travel in comfort. The passenger seat includes a seat pan, a seatback, and an armrest. The seat pan, the seatback, and the armrest form a kinematic chain by a number of pivot joints. The passenger seat also includes a linkage connecting the seat pan and the armrest. By the linkage, the armrest follows a motion of the seat pan when the passenger seat is reconfigured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Javier Valdes de la Garza
  • Patent number: 11975638
    Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a housing, a cam disposed within the housing, and a plurality of pawls disposed within the housing. The housing includes a first plate and a second plate. The second plate includes a peripheral lip having an interior face that defines a plurality of teeth. Each of the plurality of pawls defines a central axis. Each of the plurality of pawls includes a plurality of pawl teeth. The plurality of pawl teeth include a first middle tooth positioned on a first side of the central axis and a second middle tooth positioned on an opposing second side of the central axis. The first middle tooth has a first flat face facing the central axis and a first curved face facing away from the central axis. The second middle tooth has a second flat face facing the central axis and a second curved face facing away from the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CAMACO, LLC.
    Inventors: Jeff Carroll, Sanjay Vakil, Mohammad Fazli, Yang Cao, Harish Bijwe
  • Patent number: 11970095
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat shell, a headrest and a side protection part. The seat shell has a seat portion, a backrest portion and a sidewall, the sidewall protruding forward from the backrest portion. The headrest is connected with the backrest portion and is movable along the backrest portion, the headrest having a side support portion protruding forward. The side protection part is disposed adjacent to the sidewall at an inner side thereof, the side protection part extending along the inner side of the sidewall from a location adjacent to the seat portion toward a top of the backrest portion, a portion of the side protection part being located between the sidewall and the side support portion of the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: BAMBINO PREZIOSO SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Xiao Long Mo
  • Patent number: 11970271
    Abstract: A recline mechanism is described. The recline mechanism provides for adjusting an angle of a seatback of a passenger seat. The recline mechanism prevents angular adjustments of the seatback when a cylinder and piston assembly is in a locked state and permits the angular adjustments when in an unlocked state. A solenoid is provided to lock and unlock a valve of the recline mechanism. The solenoid is engaged and disengaged in response to receiving electrical signals from a button. The button generates an electrical signal when the button is depressed and again when the button is released. The button includes an electromagnet or a piezoelectric for generating the electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, David D. Nicolato, Alen Wyss
  • Patent number: 11964767
    Abstract: A passenger seat assembly can include a seat frame; a seat back supported by the seat frame, comprising a rearward surface, and moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position; and a monitor shroud positioned proximate to the rearward surface of the seat back and fixedly coupled to a stationary surface, wherein the monitor shroud remains stationary as the seat back moves between the stowed position and the deployed position, and the monitor shroud defines an opening that provides access to the rearward surface of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Reza Mansouri, Romain Tranier, Charles Michael Parker, Amen Omoragbon, Gokul Ramarathnam
  • Patent number: 11958613
    Abstract: A clockable articulation insert for a seat is disclosed. The clockable articulation insert includes a base portion that inserts into a cavity within the frame or spreader bar of the seat. The clockable articulation insert further includes a face that comprises a guide slot that couples to a cross piece of the seat that is itself coupled to a seat pan. Movement of the cross piece within the guide slot changes the tilt, extension, and/or rake of the seat pan. Clocking the clockable articulation insert to a different position alters the articulation profile of the clockable articulation insert, resulting in a different set of ranges of tilt, extension, and/or rake that can be accomplished by sliding the cross piece within the guide slot. The set of articulation profiles may be further changed by replacing the clockable articulation insert with another clockable articulation insert configured with a differently designed guide slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis Finlay
  • Patent number: 11958389
    Abstract: According to the application, a limiting device is used for limiting a pivoting of a side impact protection block in respect to a child safety seat, and the limiting device includes: a mounting portion, located on a seat body of the child safety seat and arranged close to the side impact protection block; and a restricting member, has a free end and is arranged on the mounting portion, such that the restricting member is movable between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the free end of the restricting member abuts against the side impact protection block to prevent the side impact protection block from moving in an unfolding direction in respect to the child safety seat, and in the released position, the free end of the restricting member is away from the side impact protection block to allow side impact protection block to move in the unfolding direction in respect to the child safety seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BAMBINO PREZIOSO SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Xiaolong Mo
  • Patent number: 11951884
    Abstract: A coupler for coupling a cross-talk tube of a vehicle seat with a shaft of a dual recliner assembly. The coupler comprises a generally cylindrical body extending axially between an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard end includes an inboard aperture having an inboard planar surface. The outboard end includes an outboard aperture having an outboard planar surface. The inboard planar surface and the outboard planar surface transition from an axially offset position to an axially aligned position when the coupler is installed with the cross-talk tube and the shaft of the dual recliner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Vetere, II
  • Patent number: 11952127
    Abstract: A passenger seat arrangement for a vehicle including first and second partition walls positioned in spaced apart relation forming an area therebetween, each of the walls including at least a portion angled relative to an aisle and each of the walls having an end position proximate the aisle such that the area formed between the walls is directly accessible from the aisle. A passenger seat positioned in the area is coupled to a guide mechanism such that the passenger seat is configured to travel within the area between a first position distal from the aisle and a second position proximate the aisle for facilitating transfer of a person of reduced mobility (PRM), and in some implementations through an intermediate position for enhancing socialization between the passenger seat and an adjacent passenger seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Tracy N. Pence
  • Patent number: 11945345
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat shell having two sidewalls respectively provided at a left and a right side of the seat shell for restricting sideways movement of a child sitting on the seat shell, the two sidewalls including a first and a second sidewall, a buffering part movably connected with the seat shell, the buffering part being movable between a stowed position where the buffering part is retracted toward the first sidewall, and a deployed position where the buffering part protrudes sideways from the first sidewall, and a latching mechanism including a latch carried with the buffering part, the latch being movable relative to the buffering part between a locking state for locking the buffering part in position relative to the seat shell and an unlocking state for unlocking the buffering part so that the buffering part is rotatable relative to the seat shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Zheng-Wen Guo
  • Patent number: 11938849
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle having a fold-and-dive function is proposed. When a seatback is rotated forwards and folded, a seat cushion is moved down, so the fold-and-dive function of the seat is realized. When a full-flat mode is realized by the reclining operation of the seatback, a rear end of the seat cushion is moved up, so a step between the seat cushion and the seatback can be significantly reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, a front link connecting a back cushion interlocking frame and a cushion fixing bracket to perform the fold-and-dive function is installed to have directivity where it is inclined rearwards, thus preventing a submarine phenomenon of the seat in the event of a forward collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mu Young Kim, Sang Do Park, Ho Suk Jung, Jun Young Yun, Jun Hwan Lee, Chan Ho Jung, Hyeok Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 11931658
    Abstract: A frame for a simulator includes first and second guides and subframes for a seat and for a steering wheel which are slidable in the frame along the guides. The subframes include fixation devices. Each fixation device includes a fixation member which extends on either side of the respective guide and which has a recess through which the guide protrudes. The fixation member is pivotable about an axis oriented perpendicularly of the guide between a release position, in which mutually opposite edges of the recess lie at a distance from the guide, and a fixation position in which the edges engage on mutually opposite sides of the guide. A subframe slidable along a guide for use in such a frame. A fixation device for use in such a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: F. SMIT HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Smit
  • Patent number: 11932147
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat including: sensors which includes a first cushion sensor provided at a seat cushion in a position corresponding to buttocks of an occupant, a second cushion sensor provided at the seat cushion and located farther frontward than the first cushion sensor, a first back sensor provided at a seat back and located in a lower position thereof, and a second back sensor provided at the seat back and located above the first back sensor; and a controller connected to the sensors and thereby allowed to acquire pressure values from the respective sensors. The controller is configured to identify the motion of the occupant based on outputs of at least two sensors of the first cushion sensor, the second cushion sensor, the first back sensor, and the second back sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Atsushi Kusano, Hiroyuki Numajiri, Satoshi Fujita, Takako Miyoshi, Munetaka Kowa, Ryuichiro Hirose, Yoshikazu Ito, Yosuke Higashi, Satoshi Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Kento Uetake, Yasuharu Otsuka, Satoru Kaneda
  • Patent number: 11932146
    Abstract: A passenger-seat-cushion-member manufacturing method including a step of shaping the porous structural body by using a 3D printer; and a step of coupling the filling body side coupling part including the shaped porous structural body to the seat body side coupling part, to fill the seat body with the filling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Archem Inc.
    Inventors: Taichi Itabashi, Nobuyuki Azakami, Yukiko Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11926421
    Abstract: An armrest assembly comprising a secondary armrest assembly is disclosed that can be deployed from a stowed and nested position beneath a primary armrest, with the secondary armrest assembly comprising a plurality of articulable and pivotable components, a seating assembly comprising the present armrest assembly, and vehicles configured to comprise the present armrest and seating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Amar Patel, Niraj Moreshwar Bhaktwarti, Vijay Singh Rathore, Praveen Varma
  • Patent number: 11904749
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat including: sensors which includes a first cushion sensor provided at a seat cushion in a position corresponding to buttocks of an occupant, a second cushion sensor provided at the seat cushion and located farther frontward than the first cushion sensor, a first back sensor provided at a seat back and located in a lower position thereof, and a second back sensor provided at the seat back and located above the first back sensor; and a controller connected to the sensors and thereby allowed to acquire pressure values from the respective sensors. The controller is configured to identify the motion of the occupant based on outputs of at least two sensors of the first cushion sensor, the second cushion sensor, the first back sensor, and the second back sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Atsushi Kusano, Hiroyuki Numajiri, Satoshi Fujita, Takako Miyoshi, Munetaka Kowa, Ryuichiro Hirose, Yoshikazu Ito, Yosuke Higashi, Satoshi Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Kento Uetake, Yasuharu Otsuka, Satoru Kaneda
  • Patent number: 11904739
    Abstract: A disc recliner mechanism for use in an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of pawls and a cam mounted between a guide plate and a tooth plate. Rotation of the cam moves the pawls between an extended position in which the pawls engage the tooth plate to lock the disc recliner mechanism and a retracted position in which the pawls disengage the tooth plate to unlock the disc recliner mechanism and allow rotation between the guide plate and the tooth plate. A notch is disposed on an engagement surface of a cam lobe disposed on the cam for reducing friction when the cam lobe engages a cam follower disposed on the pawls. The tooth plate includes a circumferential outer lip with a concentric channel for retaining lubricant and reducing rotational friction between the tooth plate and the guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Avery Folk, Kristof M Kurzeja, Kai Zhao, Louis Vetere, II, Detjon Marini, Cheikh Dioum, James Rudberg, Creston A Zang, Donald W Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11896143
    Abstract: A baby rocker includes a frame, a left rocker plate, a right rocker plate, a frame cover, and straps connected to the frame cover to hold the frame cover in position on the frame. The left rocker plate is attached to a left side of the frame and has a curved left rocker rail. The right rocker plate is attached to the right side of the frame and includes a curved right rocker rail. The frame cover includes a cushion positioned on a top side of the frame, a left side flap, a right side flap, a head end flap, and a foot end flap. The straps connect the left side flap, the right side flap, the head end flap, and the foot end flap at an underside of the frame to hold the frame cover in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Lulea Co. LLC
    Inventors: Logan Schultz, Mia Carr
  • Patent number: 11889929
    Abstract: A seating unit includes a seat back having a front side and a back side, and a seat bottom having a top side and an underside. A first heating element of the seating unit, attached to the back side of the seat back, can be configured to deliver first heating through the seat back to a user while seated in the seating unit when electrically powered. A second heating element of the seating unit, attached to the underside of the seat bottom, can be configured to deliver second heating through the seat bottom to the user while seated in the seating unit when electrically powered. The seating unit can further include circuitry configured to facilitate delivery of power to the first heating element and the second heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Wrmth Corp.
    Inventors: John W. Pomeroy, Sally Jean Daub, Theodore Charles Shropshire
  • Patent number: 11884190
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat surface and a backrest. The seat surface and the backrest comprise, in particular, a seat cover which forms a surface of the seat surface and the backrest. Two fastening means which are spaced apart in the transverse direction are attached to the backrest or the seat surface, an additional device, in particular a child seat, being able to be attached thereby to the vehicle seat. Advantageously the fastening means are attached at a transition between the seat surface and the backrest. If the fastening means are not required for attaching the additional device, the fastening means may be covered. To this end, the vehicle seat comprises a covering element which is configured to be strip-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Seating (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Eisenhuth, Bozena Gorowska, Renato Martic, Markus Braunsdorf