Horizontally Movable Support Surface Patents (Class 248/424)
  • Patent number: 11958440
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a track and a console configured to latch to the track and unlatch from the track to move along the track. The component may comprise a drive mechanism comprising a motor, a first cable to move the console forward and a second cable to move the console rearward. The component may comprise a controller and a retaining mechanism comprising an actuator and a lock mechanism. The controller may send a signal to the actuator to actuate the lock mechanism and may send a signal to the drive mechanism to move the console. The actuator may be configured to move a pin into engagement with a hole in the track to secure the console to the track. The lock mechanism may comprise a set of pins configured to engage a set of holes in the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao Chen, Jiandong Yu, Yan Gao
  • Patent number: 11890973
    Abstract: A gearing arrangement for a spindle drive arrangement may have a gearing housing and a gearing holder. The gearing holder may have at least two receiving openings, one for each fastening screw or one for each fastening bolt for fastening to another component, in particular to a vehicle seat. The at least two receiving openings may be oriented at right-angles and/or obliquely with respect to one another. A spindle drive arrangement having such a gearing arrangement, and also to a vehicle seat having such a spindle drive arrangement is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventor: Ivica Stanic
  • Patent number: 11833932
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat-sliding apparatus for a vehicle. The seat-sliding apparatus includes a lower rail fixed to the vehicle, an upper rail, which is coupled to a seat and slides along the lower rail, a rail groove portion, which is formed in at least one surface of the lower rail and has therein a plurality of grooves, a tooth portion having teeth positioned between the grooves in the rail groove portion, a sloped portion, which is positioned at at least a portion of the rail groove portion and in which heights of the teeth of the tooth portion decrease toward a center of the rail groove portion from one end of the rail groove portion in a longitudinal direction, and a locking unit, which is positioned at the upper rail and is selectively engaged with the rail groove portion so as to hold the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSYS INC.
    Inventors: Seong Jun Hwang, Gyong Min Kim, Sung Min Shim
  • Patent number: 11827121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching a seat assembly in a vehicle, wherein the device comprises a carriage and a floor rail, wherein the carriage can be fixed on the floor rail, wherein the floor rail has a longitudinal slot with a support section limiting the longitudinal slot, wherein a locking assembly having a locking element adjustably accommodated on the carriage is provided for fixing the carriage attached to the floor rail. According to the invention, the locking assembly comprises multiple recesses in at least one rail longitudinal wall of the floor rail, wherein the locking element has a latch section and a contact section in such a way that, with the fixing of the carriage, the latch section engages into a recess in the rail longitudinal wall and the contact section comes into contact with the inner side of the support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aguti Produktentwicklung & Design GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Grieger
  • Patent number: 11760422
    Abstract: Shock absorber assembly structures are disclosed. An example shock absorber disclosed herein includes a shock absorber mount coupled to an end of the shock absorber, the shock absorber mount including a recess to receive a locating rib of a vehicle body, and an aperture to receive a fastener to couple the shock absorber mount to an attachment boss of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Conor Daniel Hennessey, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk
  • Patent number: 11718204
    Abstract: A track assembly includes a first track, a second track, and a latch assembly. The first track includes a plurality of first apertures. The second track includes a plurality of second apertures. The latch assembly includes a latch plate and an anti-chuck component. The latch plate includes a plurality of first teeth that selectively extend through the plurality of first apertures and through a subset of the plurality of second apertures. A gap is present between at least one of the plurality of first teeth and a side of a respective one of the plurality of first apertures when the latch plate is in the engaged position. The anti-chuck component is coupled to the latch plate. The latch plate includes one or more second teeth that engage at least one of the plurality of first apertures to close the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CAMACO, LLC.
    Inventors: Jeff Carroll, Sanjay Vakil, Mohammad Fazli, Yang Cao, Harish Bijwe
  • Patent number: 11324480
    Abstract: A sonographic imaging device involves an at least one movable panel, coupled to an upper surface, wherein movement of the panel will alter the overall size of the opening, a tub positioned beneath the opening and defining a volume such that a body part of a human subject can freely protrude through the opening into the volume defined by the tub, at least one robotic arm having a terminal end, wherein the terminal end is position-able to multiple locations within the volume defined by the tub, and at least one high frequency ultrasound transducer located near the terminal end. A related method of acquiring sonographic images of tissue of a human subject is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FOCUSWEST HEALTH INC.
    Inventor: Philip B. Kivitz
  • Patent number: 11230207
    Abstract: A multidirectional control apparatus for a vehicular seat is provided to perform anteroposterior tilting, lateral tilting, control of height and tilting in other directions in consideration of the body size of a passenger and the traveling environment. The multidirectional control apparatus improves passenger comfort by tilting the seat in a lateral direction when entering or exiting a vehicle, prevents the passenger from leaning to one side by tilting the seat in a lateral direction during turning of the vehicle, and offers a safety function of protecting the passenger by inclining the seat in the direction of a collision in the event of a collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Daewon Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Seok Han, Chan Ho Jung, Ju Yeol Kong, Suk Won Hong, Dong Il Lee, Byoung Tae Seo
  • Patent number: 11180054
    Abstract: A sliding device includes a fixed rail, a movable rail, a lock plate, and a spring member. A seat body is fixed to the movable rail, and the movable rail is slidable relative to the fixed rail. The lock plate is held by the movable rail, and is displaceable between a locking position where the lock plate engages with the fixed rail and restricts slide of the movable rail and a non-locking position where the restriction is released. The spring member exerts an elastic force to maintain the lock plate in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TACHI-S CO., LTD., TF-METAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kosuke Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11142098
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide apparatus includes: a lower rail; an upper rail movably mounted on the lower rail and configured to support a seat; an annular-shaped lock spring attached to the upper rail; and an unlocking member attached to the upper rail, wherein: the lock spring has a lock portion configured to engage the lower rail to restrict upper rail movement; the unlocking member is configured to release movement restriction of the upper rail by displacing the lock spring to release an engagement state between the lock spring and the lower rail, is disposed inside the lock spring in both longitudinal and width directions of the upper rail, and includes a rotating portion and a pressing portion; the rotating portion is made of one flat plate material, and is configured to rotate; and the pressing portion is configured to be connected to the rotating portion and press the lock spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Nishio, Takanori Sato
  • Patent number: 11014472
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide structure has a movable rail, a fixed rail supporting the movable rail, a slider interposed between the rails, a reinforcing plate fixed to the fixed rail and having a threaded hole having a female thread part, and a pin having a shaft portion, a neck portion, and a head portion. The fixed rail has a first through hole concentric with the threaded hole and having an inner diameter larger than a root diameter of the female thread part. The slider has a second through hole concentric with the first through hole and having an inner diameter larger than that of the first through hole. The shaft portion is inserted through the first through hole and has the male thread part screwed in the female thread part. The head portion supports a periphery part of the second through hole between the head portion and the fixed rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Motohiko Ozawa, Thomas D Novitsky
  • Patent number: 11007905
    Abstract: A blocking and contact system for an electrical connection of an on-board power supply of a motor vehicle to a vehicle seat or a seat system that is blockable, removable, and longitudinally displaceable. Such a system is of structurally simple construction, and facilitates a rapid and automatic electrical connection in every position without additional control by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA SEATING (GERMANY) GMBH
    Inventor: Sachin Sonar
  • Patent number: 10994636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sliding device (100) for a vehicle seat, comprising a pair sliding tracks (10), each including a lower rail (20) and an upper rail (30), which allow to obtain an improved stability and to reduce the sliding efforts when the upper rails slide relative to the lower rails. Each upper rail is constrained to a respective lower rail and is free to slide relative thereto, balls (70) are arranged between said upper rail and said lower rail, and said upper and lower rails are shaped so as to define a lower and an upper ball guides (72, 74) on each side thereof. The design of said upper and lower rails at said lower and upper ball guides (72, 74) is such that efforts during relative sliding movements of the rails are reduced, while enhancing stability of the rails and preventing deformations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: MARTUR ITALY S.R.L.
    Inventors: Azra Krpo, Can Üstünberk
  • Patent number: 10850644
    Abstract: A cam assembly includes a pin, a first cam, a second cam, and/or a bearing. The first cam may be connected to the pin, and/or the second cam may be connected to the pin. A bearing may be configured to rotatable support the pin. The second cam may include a first portion and/or a second portion. The first portion of the second cam may be configured to contact a track in a first vertical position of the pin. The second portion of the second cam may be configured to contact said track in a second vertical position of the pin. The first portion may be vertically offset from the second portion. The first position of the pin may correspond to an unloaded state. The second vertical position of the pin may correspond to a loaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thibaud Condamin, Nordine Hamtache, Antoine Moulin
  • Patent number: 10759311
    Abstract: A rail for vehicle seat that has first and second sliding rail members driven by a motorized drive mechanism. The rail further includes a mechanical latch actuated when crash conditions are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA SIEGES D'AUTOMOBILE
    Inventors: Fabrice Petit, Vincent Nardin, Ludovic Ferre
  • Patent number: 10744908
    Abstract: A track adjuster includes a first pair of tracks, a first lockset that may be configured to selectively restrict movement of the first pair of tracks, a second pair of tracks, and a second lockset configured that may be configured to selectively restrict movement of the second pair of tracks. The first lockset may be a first type of lockset and the second lockset may be a second type of lockset. The first lockset may include a positive engagement locking lockset. The second lockset may include a pawl-type lockset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Laumeier, Michael Wojatzki, Wee Tzee Gam, Mark A. Farquhar, Krzysztof Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 10710476
    Abstract: A releasing lever for a sliding device in one aspect of the present disclosure is used for the sliding device including a movable rail and a fixed rail. The releasing lever includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion is formed in an intermediate portion of the releasing lever and protrudes in an abutting direction on a first end of the intermediate portion. The second protrusion is formed in a position offset from the first protrusion toward a second end of the intermediate portion, and protrudes in the abutting direction. The first protrusion and the second protrusion contact an inside wall surface of the movable rail at least when the releasing lever pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Taniguchi, Atsuyuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 10703226
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster (10) for a vehicle seat (1), has pairs of rails (12a, 12b) including a lower rail (14a) and an upper rail (14b) that are movable in a longitudinal direction (x) relative to one another and can be locked together by a locking device (16). An actuating device (18) has a transmission rod (22) arranged between the two locking devices. A hand grip (20), connected to the transmission rod, is provided for joint actuation of the two locking devices. The transmission rod is operatively connected to the two locking devices. A spring element (30), which applies a spring force to the actuating device toward a rest position or passive position, does not project beyond the locking device in the vertical direction (z). The spring element applies a torque to the transmission rod along the longitudinal extent thereof relative to the longitudinal direction (x).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Erik Sprenger, Martin Kuzma, Pavol Farkas
  • Patent number: 10583926
    Abstract: A seat attachable to a floor of a vehicle includes a seat frame movable between a first position and a second position and a mounting assembly attached to the seat frame and configured to be secured to the floor. The mounting assembly and seat frame are configured so that when the seat frame is in the second position first and second sliding assemblies of the mounting assembly are both located in forwardly extended positions and no part of the mounting assembly contacts the floor forward of a front connection of the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Philippe Erhel, Pete Meister
  • Patent number: 10562422
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat part including a seat cushion pan 1 for a seat occupant, two side parts between which a cross tube 6 extends along a pivot axis, and seat part mounting brackets 7 for connecting the seat cushion pan 1 and the cross tube 6. The cross tube 6 has a clearance opening 61 within the range of at least one of the seat part mounting brackets 7 and a local bead 62 opposite from the clearance opening 61. The local bead 62 engages an indentation or slot 72 within the surface of the seat part mounting bracket 7 facing the cross tube 6 for limiting a lateral movement of the seat cushion pan 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventor: Leo Ioppolo
  • Patent number: 10538177
    Abstract: A power return mechanism for restoring a seat track assembly for a vehicle from a first position, such as a full forward position used for easy-entry, to a second position, such as a passenger use position. The power return mechanism includes a return cable assembly with a return cable adapted to be fixedly secured to one of the upper or lower rails of the seat track assembly, and a selectively actuated cable draw assembly. The cable draw assembly is adapted to be connected to the other of the upper or lower rails of the seat track assembly. The cable draw assembly permits free movement of the return cable when the cable draw assembly is inactive. When actuated, the cable draw assembly draws in the return cable, thereby moving the upper rail of the seat track assembly from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: David M Runde
  • Patent number: 10502360
    Abstract: Presented herein are gaming systems, electronic gaming machines, and mounting bracket assemblies for mounting display assemblies to gaming cabinets. An electronic gaming machine is disclosed which includes a gaming cabinet and an electronic display assembly with one or more video display panels mounted to a display housing. Each video display panel displays aspects of a wagering game. A mounting bracket assembly includes a first bracket attached to the display housing (or gaming cabinet), and a second bracket attached to the gaming cabinet (or display housing). The first bracket includes a connecting plate with one or more ramped channels and a stopping member. The second bracket includes a connecting plate with one or more ramped rails and a stopping member. The display assembly is mounted onto the cabinet by sliding each ramped rail of the first bracket into a respective ramped channel of the second bracket and mating the stopping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian L. Castro, Robert J. Glenn, II, Paul M. Lesley
  • Patent number: 10500986
    Abstract: An actuating mechanism (4), for a longitudinal adjuster (1) of a vehicle seat, includes an upper rail (2.1) and a lower rail (2.2), which rails are lockable to each other by at least one lock (3). The actuating mechanism (4) includes an actuating arm (4.1), a release lever (5), a positioning element (5.2), which is arranged on the release lever (5) and is mounted pivotably at a free lever end (5.3) of the release lever (5), and a connecting region (5.1) which is arranged on the release lever (5) and has an opening (5.4) provided for the non-rotatable fastening of the actuating arm (4.1). The free lever end (5.3) is configured for arrangement in an interior space (I) of the rails (2.1, 2.2). The connecting region (5.1) is configured so as to be able to pass through an upper side of the upper rail (2.1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à{grave over (.)}r.l.
    Inventors: Erik Sprenger, Maros Rovny, Martin Kuzma, Michael Zacharias
  • Patent number: 10406941
    Abstract: A seat sliding device for a vehicle includes a sliding load adjusting mechanism. The sliding load adjusting mechanism includes a support member, which is fixed to a first rail that is one of a lower rail and an upper rail, and a pressing member, which is movably supported by the support member. The pressing member changes a frictional force that is generated between the pressing member and a second rail, which is the other one of the lower rail and the upper rail, in accordance with a pressing force applied to the second rail. The pressing force changes in accordance with the position of the pressing member in relation to the support member. As the upper rail moves in a first direction, the pressing member moves toward a side on which the pressing force is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sho Kume, Hideki Fujisawa, Naoaki Hoshihara
  • Patent number: 10369901
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding device includes: a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor; an upper rail slidably engaging with the lower rail and supports a vehicle seat upward; a nut member fixed to a first rail which configures one side of the lower rail and the upper rail; a screw rod screwed into the nut member; a drive unit rotating the screw rod; and a support supporting the screw rod on a second rail which configures the other side of the lower rail and the upper rail. The support includes a holding member that is provided with an insertion hole into which the screw rod is inserted and that is fixed to the second rail, and a holding nut that is provided with a through-hole into which the screw rod is inserted and that is screwed to a screwing portion provided on the screw rod or the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuta Murakami, Toshiaki Nagata
  • Patent number: 10279705
    Abstract: A seat rail adapter for flexibly mounting an object onto a seat rail, a seat arrangement and a cabin arrangement with same are described. The seat rail has a U-shaped profile with a lower flange, two web portions, two upper flanges, a gap between the upper flanges, and a cavity inside the seat rail. The seat rail adapter includes two mounting parts capable of being inserted through the gap into the cavity inside the seat rail, such that, when inserted, a hook portion of each of the mounting parts is engaged with the cavity, and a shaft portion of each of the two mounting parts extends through the gap to outside the seat rail. Further, the shaft portions include a rounding so as to allow insertion of one mounting part into the cavity by a swivel movement, when the other mounting part is already inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Carsten Wolgast
  • Patent number: 10279708
    Abstract: Provided is a seat sliding device that includes a fixed rail, a movable rail, a first latch, a second latch, and a third latch. The first latch serves as a main lock. The second latch is positioned a distance from the first latch along a longitudinal axis of the fixed rail, and the third latch is positioned a distance from the first latch along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kosuke Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10179522
    Abstract: A vehicle seat subassembly includes a first bracket and a second bracket rotatably coupled with the first bracket. First and second pins are welded to the first bracket, and an alignment plate is welded to the second bracket. First and second datum points along the alignment plate are positioned at first and second reference dimensions from the first pin and the second pin, respectively, when the second bracket is in a reference position with respect to the first bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 10160351
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding apparatus includes a lower rail, an upper rail, a slide-lock mechanism that pivots the lock member to a slide-lock position and holds the upper rail in a slide-lock state, and a slide-lock cancellation unit moved by operation of an operation member in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail to cancel an action of the slide-lock mechanism. The slide-lock cancellation unit includes a drive unit and an inclined surface arranged in the drive unit. The drive unit is supported by the upper rail so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail. Operation of the operation member slides the drive unit. The inclined surface pivots the lock member to a slide-lock cancellation position when sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Sugimoto, Makoto Sakai, Naoaki Hoshihara, Yasuhiro Kojima, Satoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 10076974
    Abstract: A seat position adjuster with a manipulable control shaft carrying a position locking latch and a spring that biases the latch toward a latched position that locks seat position with the spring being part of a vibration isolator selectively deactivated by an isolator lockout. The shaft is rotatively and axially movable relative to a mounting bracket carrying the shaft that also is attached to one rail of a slide mechanism with the latch being urged by spring into operative engagement with the other rail. Spring is captured in torsion rotatively biasing the latch toward the latched position and is active in tension and/or compression isolating the seat from vibration and lateral/longitudinal accelerations. A control shaft of the lockout is manipulable between a locked position deactivating isolation by preventing axial movement of the position adjuster control shaft relative to bracket and an unlocked position permitting relative axial movement therebetween activating isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Milsco Manufacturing Company, A Unit of Jason Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Hill, Bruce Dahlbacka
  • Patent number: 10065532
    Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable vehicle seat comprises a seat frame, a backrest pivotally mounted on the seat frame and foldable down in the direction of a seat surface of the seat frame, a longitudinal rail guide having a guide rail pair 2 including a lower guide rail 21 and an upper guide rail 22, a seat adjuster mechanism including a releasable locking device 3 for locking and unlocking the position of the upper guide rail 22 relative to the lower guide rail 21 in a design position P between an internal full rear limit stop and a comfort full forward limit stop 62 defining a functional comfort adjustment range D, an easy-entry mechanism for displacing the vehicle seat to an extended travel full forward position C upon folding down the backrest onto the seat surface, and a pivotable over-travel and limit stop bracket 5 which is adapted to rotate to bypass the comfort full forward limit stop 62 upon activation of the easy-entry mechanism for entering an extended travel range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Leo Ioppolo, David Becker, Sean Sabo
  • Patent number: 10046673
    Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat rail having an opening at an end of the seat rail, a seat slider that slides relative to the seat rail along a length of the seat rail, and an end stop at the end of the seat rail that prevents the seat slider from sliding beyond the opening and that substantially covers a cross section of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC
    Inventors: Michael Mixon, Satoshi Masuda, Ryosuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10021530
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring occupancy of one or more pre-defined areas. The system has a scanning subsystem for wirelessly scanning a pre-defined area, using a short range wireless communications protocol, to detect a presence of one or more wireless personal electronic devices (PEDs) associated with one or more individuals present in the pre-defined area. Each of the PEDs also use the short range wireless communications protocol to radiate wireless signals that are detected by the scanning subsystem. A data analysis/processing subsystem analyzes data generated by the scanning subsystem relating to detected PEDs in the pre-defined area. A notification subsystem analyzes the information relating to an occupancy level of the pre-defined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOME, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob R. Sigal, Massimo Baldini, Eric Christoper Barch
  • Patent number: 9963089
    Abstract: A system for selectively extending and retracting a license plate holder includes a housing defining a slide rail attachable to a vehicle. A motor selectively rotates a threaded driver extending through first and second sliders within the housing a first or second rotational direction so as to move the first and second sliders within the housing. As the first and second sliders are moved within the housing, a license plate mount pivotally attached to the first slider is extended from under the vehicle or retracted beneath the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Tego Automotive Products Inc.
    Inventors: Neil G. Torrey, Jr., Amir Fathi
  • Patent number: 9944202
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a latch having multiple teeth configured to engage respective windows within a rail to selectively block movement of a vehicle seat relative to the rail. The latch includes a first tooth and a second tooth longitudinally separated from one another. The first tooth includes an inner surface configured to contact a longitudinal end of a first window while the first tooth is engaged with the first window to block movement of the latch relative to the rail along a first longitudinal direction, and the second tooth includes an inner surface configured to contact a longitudinal end of a second window while the second tooth is engaged with the second window to block movement of the latch relative to the rail along a second longitudinal direction, opposite the first longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Alexander I. Balin
  • Patent number: 9855867
    Abstract: A vehicular seat slide device includes a lower rail, an upper rail supporting a seat above, a lock lever supported by the upper rail and configured to restrict the relative movement of the upper rail by engaging with the lower rail, a spring attached to the upper rail and biasing in such a manner that the lock lever engages with the lower rail. The spring includes a locking portion inserted in a locking hole provided at an upper edge of the upper rail and opening to a side surface of the upper rail, the locking portion is insertable into the locking hole by elastically deforming the spring body towards an inner side relative to the locking hole, the locking portion is restricted from being detached from the locking hole by being locked at a peripheral edge of the locking hole due to recovery of the elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Satoh, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 9821690
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; a shield; an electrical component disposed between a side face portion of the seat cushion and the shield and including attachment portions fixed to either one of the side face portion and the shield; and a locking bracket including first connection portions fixed to the either one, and a second connection portion connected to the other one, the locking bracket being placed so as to cover a part of the electrical component from the other-one side when the attachment portions and the first connection portions are fixed to the either one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9802511
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide mechanism via which a seat assembly is slidably mounted on a vehicle floor is provided with: a lower rail that is mounted on the vehicle floor; an upper rail which is slidably attached on the lower rail and on which the seat assembly is attached; a lock mechanism that locks the upper rail on the lower rail in a releasable manner; and a gap reduction member that is provided between a first face formed at the lower rail and facing in a substantially vertical direction and a second face formed at the upper rail and facing to the first face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Iwao Matsushima
  • Patent number: 9783084
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide device includes: a first rail provided to extend in a front-rear direction of a vehicle and including first side wall portions, and first flanges overhanging from tips of the first side wall portions to inside and further folded to a base end side of the first side wall portions; a second rail joined to the first rail to be capable of moving in the front-rear direction and including second side wall portions, a connecting wall portion connecting base ends of the second side wall portions, and second flanges overhanging to an outside and further folded so as to be surrounded by the first side wall portions and the first flanges; and a locking member joined to the second rail to rotate around an axial line extending in the width direction and capable of restricting relative movement of the first and second rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Kumagai, Takanori Sato, Toshiyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9770960
    Abstract: A suspension actuation assembly can include first and second support assemblies that are displaceable relative to one another in a first direction of travel. A cable-tensioning assembly can be operatively disposed between the supporting and supported structures. A torsional spring and isolator assembly can be operatively secured to the supported structure. An elongated cable can be operatively connected between the cable-tensioning assembly and the torsional spring and isolator assembly such that associated loads acting on the supported structure displace the cable-tensioning assembly and thereby tension the elongated cable against the torsional spring and isolator assembly to support the load acting on the supported structure while isolating. A suspension system including such a suspension actuation assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik
  • Patent number: 9744883
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; an operating member; a shield having an opening through which the operating member is passed; and a cover member provided in the opening so as to cover part of the opening while permitting the rotation operation of the operating member. The operating member has a protrusion projecting toward the shield, in a part opposed to the shield. Either one of the cover member and the shield is formed as a projecting portion projecting toward the protrusion. The operating member is configured such that the protrusion slides on the projecting portion while abutting with the projecting portion when the rotation operation is performed on the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9731629
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail, a lock member, a stopper portion, a lever member that rotates in a release direction in association with a forward folding of a seatback, and a memory link being released from the lever member in a state where the lever member rotates in the release direction and rotating to an engageable position at which the memory link is engageable with the stopper portion, the memory link being configured to pass through the stopper portion in a case where the upper rail moves to a front side of the seat, the memory link engaging with the stopper portion to restrict the upper rail from moving to a rear side of the seat in a case where the upper rail moves to the rear side of the seat after the memory link passes through the stopper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima, Naoki Goto
  • Patent number: 9701218
    Abstract: In a case where an engagement member is assembled on an upper rail, a second rotary shaft portion is inserted to a shaft receiving bore of a first side wall portion from an inner side of an upper rail. After the insertion, the engagement member is rotated so that the second rotary shaft portion is inserted to the shaft receiving bore of the second side wall portion. At this time, because a shaft allowable length is specified to be greater than a shaft maximum rotation length, an interruption of an insertion of the rotary shaft portion because of a contact of the second rotary shaft portion with an edge portion of the shaft receiving bore at the second side wall portion is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Satoh, Koji Kumagai, Makoto Sakai, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 9701219
    Abstract: A vehicular seat slide device is provided with a lower an upper rail, a lock member, a memory piece, a memory link, a slide member, and a stopper member. The memory piece is engaged with the upper rail and the lower rail. The memory link releases the lock member and the memory piece with urging force of a memory link urging member, and pivots in a releasing direction to press the lock member in a pivot direction and press the memory piece against the urging force of the memory piece urging member. The slide member releases the memory link with urging force of a slider urging member, and presses the memory link in the release direction by moving as a seat back is collapsed forward. After the seatback is collapsed forward and the upper rail is moved in a seat-rearward direction, the stopper member contacts the memory piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Atsushi Abaka, Naoaki Hoshihara, Tateki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9573491
    Abstract: A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster includes a lower rail (5) and an upper rail (3) which is guided therein such that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction, and at least one bearing element (30) which is arranged between the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5) and is in contact with the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5). At least one additional supporting element (20) is provided which is in contact with the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5) and has a rotatable supporting roller (22). The supporting roller (22) can be rotated about a rotational axis (A) which runs in the vertical direction. The at least one supporting element (20) includes a supporting spring (26) which loads the supporting roller (22) in the vertical direction. A vehicle seat (1) with the longitudinal adjuster is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Kai Schumann, Peter Reimer, Ingo Teufel
  • Patent number: 9494274
    Abstract: A swingable loading device contains: a base, a support rack fixed above the base, a swing mechanism and an adjustment mechanism which are housed between the base and the support rack. The swing mechanism includes a first rotatable arm set fixed on the base and driven by a first drive source and includes a second rotatable arm set rotatably connected with a rotary shaft, the first rotatable arm set and the support rack. The first rotatable arm set drives the second rotatable arm set to swing reciprocately along the rotary shaft, and the second rotatable arm set drives the support rack to swing reciprocately. The adjustment mechanism includes a displacement assembly fixed on the second rotatable arm set which drives the first rotatable arm set to move along the second rotatable arm set so as to adjust a distance between the first rotatable arm set and the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Ko-Po Chen
  • Patent number: 9481266
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a locking device which includes a fixed rail, a moving rail sliding relative to the fixed rail, locking pins arranged along the moving rail, locking springs disposed around the locking pins, and an unlocking lever rotating around a shaft fixed to the moving rail so as to relieve the locking pins from a locked state where the locking pins are inserted into the holes. The present disclosure thereby provides the locking device for a seat rail having a compact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI DYMOS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hyun Soo Kim, Sang Nam Park, Sung Kon Moon
  • Patent number: 9440570
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat, beads are formed to a SC panel, and the beads extend along the seat front-rear direction adjacent to joint portions at seat width direction insides of the joint portions. When repeated load in the seat up-down direction is input to a seat width direction intermediate portion of the SC panel, for example, the SC panel is displaced by the input load in the seat up-down direction, and tensile load in the seat width direction acts on the beads as a result. The beads extend or contract in the seat width direction due to the tensile load. Load input to the SC panel is thereby absorbed by the extension and contraction of the beads, and load in the seat up-down direction input to the joint portions is reduced. This enables concentration of stress at the joint portions to be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motohiro Fushikida, Shinichi Kobayashi, Tomo Ishibashi, Masakazu Andou
  • Patent number: 9415705
    Abstract: A seat including a seat back, a walk-in lever that releases the seat back so that the seat back may rotate, a slide mechanism having an upper rail and lower rail, a connection device between the seat back and a slide mechanism that releases the slide mechanism, a lock lever that rotates in response to rotation of the seat back, and a lock lever that rotates in response to rotation of the seat back. The seat configured so that rotation of the seat back in a forward direction by a predetermined amount releases the slide mechanism so that the seat may slide in a fore-aft direction. The slide mechanism configured so that, in the locked position, the lock lever directly contacts the lower rail such that forward force on the seat is directly transferred from the lock lever to the lower rail at the point of direct contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Mixon, Ryosuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9415701
    Abstract: A seat track assembly includes upper and lower tracks slidably coupled together. The lower track includes a locking window and the upper track includes a first aperture. A locking mechanism includes a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the upper track. The mounting bracket includes a second aperture. At least one pin is slidably guided by the second aperture for movement in and out of the locking window and first aperture for interlocking the upper and lower tracks. The pin includes opposite first and second sides and at least one of the sides includes a recess. The recess reduces a surface area of the respective side of the pin and defines upper and lower edges. The upper and lower edges of the recess lockingly engage with the upper and lower tracks in response to a dynamic impact to prevent withdrawal of the pin from the locking window and first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Wrong, Prasad D. Jagtap