Patents Examined by Philip F Gabler
  • Patent number: 11760244
    Abstract: An armrest includes a frame, a mounting portion included in the frame and having a mounting surface with which the mounting portion is mounted on a bracket of a seat, an armrest-side wire harness arranged in the frame, and an armrest-side connector connected to the armrest-side wire harness and being open in a direction from the mounting surface toward the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, TOKAI CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamamoto, Kaho Hayashi, Hideki Oshima, Takemasa Okumura, Takahiko Endo, Jun Jin, Keiji Makino
  • Patent number: 11753097
    Abstract: A seat cushion includes an edge portion and a three-dimensional fiber structure including core-sheath fusible fibers and skeletal fibers thermally fused at intersections thereof. The sheaths of the core-sheath fusible fibers are made of a thermoplastic elastomer to fuse the intersections and form a bulging portion at each of the fused intersections. The skeletal fibers and the cores of the core-sheath fusible fibers are made of a non-elastomer resin. The skeletal fibers are crimp-processed bulky fibers, and a fineness of the skeletal fibers and a fineness of the core-sheath fusible fibers are in a range of 1 to 200 dtex. The seat cushion has a layered structure including a plurality of layers fused together, each of the layers has the three-dimensional fiber structure, and the seat cushion has a density distribution based on regional variations of the layered structure and a stiffness distribution that depends on the density distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyoshi Sato, Tetsuya Mashiko, Sho Kakuta, Naoki Kinomoto, Yusuke Aoyama, Shigeyuki Ozawa, Mikito Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11752671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a motor vehicle seat cushion. The inventive method provides for a cover having a format of a complex comprising a layer of covering material and a sublayer of elastically compressible foam, and for arranging on the sublayer a film based on thermoplastic polyurethane. The film has a melting point and a melt mass-flow index that breaks down under the action of the heat released during the formation of the foam. The film is provided with a reinforcing thin-film to form a two-layer barrier against the penetration of foam. The reinforcing thin-film is based on a thermoplastic polyurethane with a melting point higher than that of the film and has a melt mass-flow index lower than that of the film, to have greater strength than the film so that the reinforcing thin-film breakdown under the action of heat is delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TESCA France
    Inventor: Laurent Georges
  • Patent number: 11745878
    Abstract: A passenger includes at least one seat component including a first material and at least one additive manufactured component including a second material, the at least one additive manufactured component including a plurality of zones. The at least one additive manufactured component is attached to the at least one seat component. The at least one additive manufactured component includes a lattice structure. Each of the plurality of zones have different physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: James A. Hallford, Jeremy Green, Kevin M. Waters, Jodi Presswood
  • Patent number: 11745628
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat shell having a backrest portion and a sidewall protruding forward from the backrest portion, an adjustable headrest movable along the backrest portion, and a first belt guide fixedly connected with the sidewall at a top thereof and a second belt guide provided on the headrest, wherein the first belt guide and the second belt guide are configured to receive a shoulder belt portion of a vehicle seatbelt disposed through a gap between the sidewall and the headrest. In some embodiments, the child safety seat may include a latch belt disposed transversally across the seat shell and having two opposite ends respectively provided with two connectors for attachment to an anchorage provided in a vehicle, and a storage compartment on a rear of the backrest portion adapted to receive the two connectors of the latch belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: David A. Lehman, Kyle S. Mason
  • Patent number: 11745625
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat may have a rail assembly having two rail pairs of seat rails. The respective rail pair has a fixed seat rail and a seat rail that is movable relative to the fixed seat rail. The rail assembly may also have a motor unit and a gearbox unit, which couples the motor unit and the movable seat rail. The rail assembly may also comprise a holder for receiving a gearbox housing of the gearbox unit. The holder is arranged with the gearbox unit in a hollow space formed by the one rail pair and is fixed to the movable seat rail. The holder is formed so as to be open at one end and closed at the opposite end. The holder has at least one stiffening element at the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erik Sprenger
  • Patent number: 11738666
    Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved vehicle access systems. In particular, one embodiment includes three compact, motorized mechanisms for pivoting a passenger seat toward a door opening, extending the passenger seat outside the door opening, lowering the passenger seat, and tilting the passenger seat to help the passenger stand. The first mechanism concurrently pivots the passenger seat and moves it sideways during the pivoting operation so that it is aligned with the door opening. The second mechanism extends the passenger seat outside the door opening. The third mechanism lowers the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ADAPT SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Christian Lemay, Etienne Carbonneau
  • Patent number: 11731538
    Abstract: A seat assembly and a method of assembly. The seat assembly includes a trim cover assembly and a cushion that defines an opening for receiving a child seat anchor. The trim cover assembly has flaps that are attached to a stiffener. The stiffener is received in the opening and is mounted to the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Heike Krumbein, Peter Haeussler, Julian Kollmann
  • Patent number: 11724761
    Abstract: A composite bicycle saddle includes a saddle body that is a sandwich structure composed of an upper outer layer, a lower outer layer and an intermediate layer with the upper outer layer and the lower outer layer to be of the same material and the intermediate layer of another material, a track arranged below the saddle body, and a front binding element and two rear binding elements being having an outer end portion provided with a cylindrical joint portion. The cylindrical joint portions of the front and rear binding elements are inserted into respective mounting through holes of the track and respective through holes of the saddle body and fused and integrated with the upper outer layer and lower outer layer or the intermediate layer of the saddle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph Hsu
  • Patent number: 11708848
    Abstract: An upholstered component, such as panels, assembled onto a furniture frame or a chair mechanism by way of a connection system provides a robust connection and economical manufacturing process. The connection includes a T-nut and a spacer attached on opposite sides of a wood form to be upholstered. The threaded barrel of the T-nut inserted in a hole through the wood form and with T-nut prongs embedding into a surface of the side of the wood form that will be facing outwardly on the furniture. The spacer is inserted into the hole at the opposite side of the wood form and is retained therein by an interference fit. The wood form is upholstered and is then attached to the furniture frame or mechanism with a bolt connecting to the furniture frame or mechanism and then extending through the spacer, into the hole and into the threaded barrel of the T-nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ASHLEY FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Robert Webb, Roger Jeffrey Anderson
  • Patent number: 11708014
    Abstract: A head restraint system may have a head restraint retainer with a first surface adapted to support a cushioning material, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface may have a selectively biased clip and at least one leg. The system may also have a panel with a clip port adapted to selectively retain the clip and at least one leg port adapted to selectively retain the at least one leg. A seat having a head restraint system and a method for connecting the components of the system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: James L. Aleksa, Amol Patil, Bhushan Murgude, Roger L. Meyerink, Gaurav Chaudhary
  • Patent number: 11708164
    Abstract: A combination adaptive energy absorption and emergency flotation device for positioning beneath a plurality of seat pans of a seat assembly in an aircraft seating application. The device includes a plurality of fluidly coupled inflatable elastic bladders, at least one constrictor valve fluidly coupling at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of inflatable elastic bladders allowing fluid flow therethrough in response to predetermined pressure on the device from the plurality of seat pans, and a fluid supply source fluidly coupled to the plurality of inflatable elastic bladders for outputting a positive flow of fluid to the plurality of inflatable elastic bladders, wherein the adaptive energy absorption device is detached from the plurality of seat pans to allow removal from beneath the plurality of seat pans for use as an emergency flotation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11701277
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for seat elevation includes a base and a horizontal seat portion. Vertical supports attached to the seat portion include multiple lift angle holes that allow the seat to be elevated to different lifted angles. Elongate members pivotally connect to vertical supports. The elongate members attach via one of the multiple lift angle holes. The elongate members are able to attach to different lift angle holes. The lifted angle is determined by the first one of the at least two seat position holes. A lift generator is attached to the base and extends to lift the horizontal seat portion into the lifted position. The lift generator contracts to return the horizontal seat portion to the seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Liftseat Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Cogan Nelson
  • Patent number: 11697360
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, with a seat part which is adjustable in relation to a vehicle floor, on which the vehicle seat is arranged, by external actuation via at least one pivotably mounted rocker component and with the aid of a drive unit operatively connected to the rocker component, and, for access to a vehicle region located behind the vehicle seat is foldable from a use position into an adjustment position, wherein at least on locking unit is provided which, in a locking position, blocks the seat part against folding from a use position into the adjustment position and, in a release position, permits folding of the seat part from the use position into the adjustment position. The operative connection between the drive unit and the rocker component is separable here via the locking unit in the release position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventor: Johannes Ultsch
  • Patent number: 11697366
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a headrest for a seat has a scissor lever. The adjustment mechanism has at least one first lever arm and at least one second lever arm. A compensating lever arm is arranged at at least one lever arm end of each lever arm. A free end of each compensating lever arm has an attachment structure for attaching the compensating lever arm to a body. A lever arm end opposite the compensating lever arm of each lever arm has an attachment structure for attaching the lever arm to a body. A headrest for a vehicle seat, which has a headrest body is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Frotz, Ivan Jakubec, Martin Banas, Lutz Thilker
  • Patent number: 11691737
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat back; a seat pan; and one or more side support elements is disclosed. Each side support element is moveable with respect to the seat back between: a stowed configuration, in which the side support element is stowed flush with, or is stowed within or behind the seat back; and a deployed configuration, in which the side support element extends outwardly from the seat back, generally in the same direction that the seat back faces, so as to offer support to the side of a vehicle user sitting in the vehicle seat. A row of two or more such vehicles seats is also disclosed, in which all of the seats of the row face in the same direction, and adjacent seats within the row are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL MOVEMENT LTD, SAFRAN SEATS
    Inventors: Luke Miles, Hugo Benedict Jamson, Cheuk Wah Vincent Fan
  • Patent number: 11679831
    Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods of use for an adjustable disarticulated seat, which in a preferred embodiment may include one, or a plurality of independently or synchronously adjustable disarticulated inserts positioned within insert interface apertures on the distal extended portion of a saddle. An actuator element may be responsive to the one or more disarticulated inserts through one or more cords configured to be retracted or release in response to the action of the actuator causing the extension upward or release downward movement of the one or more inserts within the insert interface aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Joe Johnson
  • Patent number: 11679692
    Abstract: A seating system is provided which comprises a seat movable between a standard seating position, in which the seat faces frontwards and the seat backrest is in an upright position for conventional driving mode, and at least one non-standard seating position in which the seat is rotated around a vertical axis with respect to the standard seating position and the backrest is reclined rearwards by rotation around a first transverse horizontal axis from the standard seating position. The seat is equipped with at least one passive safety device switchable between a working or active state, in which the device is able to protect an occupant of the seat in case of an impact of the vehicle, and a non-working or inactive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ITALDESIGN-GIUGIARO S.P. A.
    Inventors: Bartolomeo Bocchino, Dario Caiero, Alfredo Castiglione Morelli, Gennaro Ferrara
  • Patent number: 11679830
    Abstract: A bicycle seat post structure includes an upper tube, a lower tube, a height adjusting mechanism and at least one sliding member. The upper tube includes at least one stopping member. The lower tube has a first edge. The sliding member is movably disposed in the lower tube. The stopping member does not abut against the sliding member as the stopping member is in a first position. When the height adjusting mechanism is operated to allow the upper tube to move along an axial direction, the stopping member is switched to a second position and is restricted by the sliding member. The sliding member is operated to move along the axial direction so as to be positioned from one of a plurality of positions to another one of the plurality of positions, thereby changing a distance between the stopping member in the second position and the first edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: LIMOTEC METAL INDUSTRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tzu-Chien Tso, Yao-Chin Yang, Chih-Cheng Cheng, Huan-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 11673529
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having at least one buckle for receiving a safety belt on a first lateral side of the seat and an attachment of the end of a pelvic strap of the safety belt on a second lateral side of the seat. The seat includes at least one safety device, each safety device having a first cable connecting the buckle or the attachment of the end of the pelvic strap to a first anchor point, and at least one second cable connecting the buckle or the attachment of the end of the pelvic strap to a second anchor point traction on the second cable resulting in a general movement of the buckle or attachment of the pelvic strap end eliminating the risk of submarining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Semir Hammadi, Fabrice Camus, Roland Faure