Patents Examined by Philip Gabler
  • Patent number: 9968200
    Abstract: The portable seat apparatus includes a telescopic support member and a seat receptacle. The telescopic support member includes a plurality of concentric sections that are extendable and retractable within each other. The concentric sections include a distal section and a proximal section. Adjacent concentric sections are coupled together via interlocking features. A bottom surface of the seat receptacle is coupled to the telescopic support member and a top surface of the seat receptacle is configured to operably engage a user in a seated position. The apparatus is configurable in a sit-mode and a storage-mode. In the sit-mode, the concentric sections are at least partially extended and the telescopic support member is perpendicular to the seat receptacle. In the storage-mode, the concentric sections of the telescopic member are retracted within each other and the seat receptacle is parallel to the telescopic support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Jon Webb
  • Patent number: 9848704
    Abstract: A lift and recliner chair which is positionable in multiple reclining positions including both a Trendelenburg and zero-gravity position, in which using an actuator mechanism the position of the back frame can be adjusted in any lift and/or reclining position the chair is capable of achieving without requiring any movement or adjustment to the position of the seat frame or footrest. The actuator mechanism is secured between the back frame and the seat frame or another component of the lift/recline assembly that follows or moves with the seat frame as the chair is moved between a lift and reclining position, while in one embodiment the angle of the footrest is independently adjustable using a separate actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: W. Edward Pollard, James Olcheski
  • Patent number: 9849056
    Abstract: The seated inversion table is provided having a support frame assembly, and a seat back assembly, and a seat cushion assembly tiltably mounted on the support frame assembly. The seat back assembly connects to the seat cushion assembly and connects to a rotating frame assembly through a lower connecting tube assembly. The rotating frame assembly is tiltably mounted on the seat cushion assembly and is adjustably mounted on a foot-clamping frame. With a front swinging rod of the seat cushion assembly tiltably mounted on the support frame assembly, a range of an inversion angle is restricted and thereby the seated inversion table may not over tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Zhongshan Yingliang Health Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 9848708
    Abstract: A retractable seat assembly which can be attached to a vertical structure and which, in the upright position, presents a profile which is relatively thin and in any event poses virtually no impediment to going very close to the vertical structure. The retractable seat assembly having a rear support, a seat, a front support, and a biaser which releasably biases said seat to the generally upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Steven T. Windsor
  • Patent number: 9845852
    Abstract: A motorized positioning apparatus for a seating unit includes a motor assembly that is configured to move a linkage assembly though a series of positions that arrange the seating unit in a closed position, open position, or extended position. The motor assembly attaches directly to a footrest drive link by way of a mounting tube. In addition, the motor assembly may attach either to a base rail of the seating unit or to a rear pivot link by way of a rear mounting tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Gregory Lawson, Michael Crum
  • Patent number: 9827876
    Abstract: A vehicle safety seat for protecting a vehicle occupant from injury due to impact and airborne debris, in the event of a collision. The vehicle safety seat includes a seat bottom, a backrest, and a headrest, wherein the seat is secured to a frame. The frame is pivotally secured to the floor and frame of a vehicle, wherein the seat can recline immediately in advance of a collision for absorbing impact forces. The safety seat further includes telescoping shields that are retractably secured to the lateral sides of the seat bottom, backrest, and headrest. The shields are projected from the safety seat, creating a protective cocoon around the seat occupant prior to a collision. The seat is operably connected to one or more sensors that can detect an imminent collision between the vehicle and another object, wherein a pneumatic system deploys the shields and an electro-mechanical system reclines the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen Madaras
  • Patent number: 9827503
    Abstract: An amusement ride restraint system includes an amusement ride car. A lap pad is configured to selectively engage a lap of the rider while the rider is positioned within the seat. A first linkage is pivotally coupled to the lap pad and pivotally coupled relative to the floor of the ride car, the first linkage operable to rotate the lap pad into i) an engaged position in which the rider is restrained in the seat, and ii) a loading position in which the rider can be loaded into or unloaded from the seat. The lap pad is constrained to pivotal motion relative to the first linkage such that the lap pad is oriented in a substantially vertical attitude relative to the seat when moved into the loading position and is oriented in a substantially horizontal attitude relative to the seat when moved into the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lagoon Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Dal Freeman, Aaron Jarrett, Dustin Allen
  • Patent number: 9814321
    Abstract: Furniture convertible between a seating position and a bed position. The furniture may include a frame including spaced apart arms, a first section having a closed position and an open position, where, in the closed position, the first section is substantially horizontal between the spaced apart arms, and a second section separately moveable from the first section. The second section is movable from a folded position, where the second section is stored substantially within the frame, to an unfolded position, where the second section is unfolded outside of the frame and disposed adjacent to the first section in the closed position, thus forming a horizontal sleeping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Garland
  • Patent number: 9802513
    Abstract: A seat includes a pivotally movable bottom, a pivotally movable backrest independent from the bottom, a first supporter suspending and supporting a front side of the bottom, and a second supporter suspending a rear side of the bottom from a side behind the backrest section, and pivotally movably supporting the bottom together with the first supporter. According to the seat, the front side and the rear side of the bottom are suspended and supported. Thus, compared to a seat in which a front side of a bottom is supported in a cantilever manner, the seat is capable of ensuring bearing capacity for a seating load. The rear side of the bottom is suspended and supported from a side behind the backrest section. Accordingly, a support structure around the bottom including the front side of the bottom can be downsized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHIA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohshi Katoh, Eishi Takeuchi, Yasuhiro Suwa, Yasuhiro Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 9802665
    Abstract: A split-nose touring bicycle seat for touring, comprising: a rigid plastic base provided with attachment points for mounting the seat to a bicycle frame; a total length of the seat of about 230-265 mm; a total width of about 270-310 mm; a split nose section formed by two elongated protrusions of substantially constant width extending forward from a medial section to a front surface; said elongated protrusions angle inwardly, a cushioned pubis bone support surface with a substantially flat side profile, and a drooped nose section forward thereof and substantially vertical outer sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ISM Saddles, LLC
    Inventor: Steven G. Toll
  • Patent number: 9788662
    Abstract: A multi-functional infant, baby and toddler seating system characterized by two complementary components that can be used separately, yet simultaneously, for distinctly different infant, baby and toddler seating purposes, or the individual, but complementary components can be used uniquely together for yet another distinctly different means of seating babies and toddlers during meal time or other seating needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen Mark Hollett, Lisa Elaine Hollett
  • Patent number: 9783155
    Abstract: An occupant protection system includes: arm rests that are disposed on first and second width direction sides of a seat back and are rotatable between a substantially vertical storage position and a substantially horizontal use position; slide members that are slidable along the arm rests and have belt guides; a retractor that takes up webbing of a belt; and an electronic control unit that, (i) in a state before an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat, causes the arm rests to be held in the storage position and causes the slide members to slide in the seat upward direction above the head of the occupant, and that, (ii) when the occupant is seated, causes the arm rests to rotate to the use position, causes the slide members to slide toward base sides of the arm rests, and causes the webbing to be taken up by the retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Kondo, Mitsuyoshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 9783090
    Abstract: A skin material fastening structure for removably fastening an edge of a first skin material covering a part of molded foam and an edge of a second skin material covering another part of the molded foam in a fastening groove formed in the molded foam. The fastening groove includes first and second sides facing each other, and a bottom extending between lower ends of the first and second sides. A hook and loop fastener is fixed on the first and second sides. Each of the edges of the first and second skin materials has loops capable of engaging with the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonari Yoshida, Ryuichi Murasaki
  • Patent number: 9782310
    Abstract: This invention pertains to medical accessories for wheelchairs. It specifically relates to a headrest system that can be attached to a wheelchair, medical chair, or bed for home use, hospitals or other medical centers. It is intended for use of patients with swallowing difficulties to prevent Aspiration Pneumonia during eating or drinking. This headrest would support the head in the proper position for deglutition that blocks the larynx entrance during swallowing and prevent food or drink from entering into respiratory system. Wherein, a serious problem for patients with lung diseases is, inhaling foreign material such as food and drink that could ultimately cause lung infection. This invention addresses this concern. The novelty introduced here is the design and technicalities of an attachable headrest with adjustable length and tilting head cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Space Technology Research LLC
    Inventor: Shahzadeh Khaligh
  • Patent number: 9776545
    Abstract: A seat attachment assembly for attaching components to a seat cushion is provided. A central base has at least one footing with an opening adapted for being encapsulated in the cushion. A cylindrical shaft extends generally perpendicular from the central base and defines a cylindrical opening therein. A retention clip has an extension portion sized to be received and retained in the cylindrical opening by an interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric Lovasz
  • Patent number: 9776095
    Abstract: A restraint system for use in a vehicle may include a seat; a belt system having at least one belt and at least one belt-adjusting mechanism; and at least one buckle. The belt-adjusting mechanism may be disposed at a first side of the seat and the buckle may be disposed at a second side of the seat. An end portion of the belt may be connected to the belt-adjusting mechanism; and the belt system may have a locking member for locking with the buckle. The restraint system may also include a belt pretensioner that includes a force transmission member; and an actuator configured to actuate the force transmission member for tightening the force transmission member and/or the belt. The actuator may be configured to be actuated and/or triggered by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Jörg Beutler
  • Patent number: 9776830
    Abstract: A seat for a stair lift, which seat is provided with a fall protection device comprising at least one elongate safety bar which is movable between an open position and a closed position, in which open position a person can freely move into and out of the seat, wherein the safety bar is movably connected to an elongate support that is stationarily connected to the seat, which support extends on a side of the seat, wherein the fall protection device is designed so that in the open position the safety bar takes up a rearward position, in which it extends substantially parallel to and beside the support, and that in the closed position the safety bar takes up a forwardly moved (along the support), inwardly pivoted or rotated position, in which it extends from the front end of the support, in which position it can be locked, such that a person cannot fall out of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Otto Ooms B.V.
    Inventor: Alex Ooms
  • Patent number: 9776722
    Abstract: A personal electronic device holder for a seat back that includes a support housing positioned on an upper shroud portion of the seat back and an upper support for supporting the top edge of the electronic device positioned in the support housing. The upper support is mounted for movement between a lowered, stowed position in the support housing and a raised, deployed position extending out of and above the support housing. A lower support is provided for supporting the bottom edge of the electronic device, and is positioned for movement between a stowed position covering the support housing and a deployed, lower position below the support housing. The upper support and lower support have respective engaging surfaces defining between them a user-selected space for engaging and holding the top edge and bottom edge of the electronic device in a use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Nicholas Pozzi, Francis Xavier L. Garing
  • Patent number: 9775757
    Abstract: A lift chair includes a lift mechanism that maintains a continuous seating position during forward and elevated movement by supporting the occupant's seat, arms and back. The mobile section of the chair will also lower the occupant to the normal seating height. The gel cushion seating surface is attached at least to the moveable section of the lift chair. The gel cushion seating surface of the chair has a plurality of gel cushion cylinders arranged in a grid that provide a rhythmically changing support area at multiple points on the occupant's buttocks and thighs. This provides a comforting massage which reduces stress on the body associated with prolonged seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: RFS INNOVATION LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Borgman, John Miller, Jeffrey Weisenbach, Kenneth Kramer, Catherine Wagner, Michael Verkley
  • Patent number: 9763841
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adjusting an active length of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy. The weight bearing surface overlies a frame to which the plurality of interwoven support elements are connected. The apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism connected to one of the plurality of interwoven support elements, wherein the adjustment mechanism is attached or releasably attached to the frame. The adjustment mechanism allows the active length of the connected interwoven support element to change as a user bears upon the weight bearing surface, thereby conforming the weight bearing surface to the contours of a user's anatomy. In another aspect, a method for adjusting an active length of at least some of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TAMARACK HABILITATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: J. Martin Carlson, Bryan Flood, Mark Payette, Mark N. Manzella, Wieland Kaphingst