Resilient Support Patents (Class 296/65.02)
  • Patent number: 11964601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat having an upper seat part for receiving a person, which upper seat part comprises a seat plate part and a seat cushion part, the seat cushion part being arranged above the seat plate part in relation to a height axis of the vehicle seat and the seat plate part and the seat cushion part being arranged so as to at least partially overlap in relation to the height axis, forming an intermediate first overlap region, a fluid chamber unit having at least two fluid chambers being arranged at least partially within the first overlap region between the seat plate part and the seat cushion part, a control unit being provided, designed to introduce and to remove a fluid into/from the at least two fluid chambers so that an expansion in the height axis of the at least two fluid chambers can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Florian Schneider, Susanne Frohriep, Sergej Schustjew
  • Patent number: 11052796
    Abstract: A vehicle seat for attaching to a vehicle structure of a vehicle has a seat part and a backrest. The vehicle seat is movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in relation to the vehicle structure and adjustable into a resting or lying seat position. In the event of a collision, the vehicle seat with the seat part is or can be pivoted upwards along an axis extending parallel to the vehicle transverse direction, with a front region facing away from the back rest. The backrest, at least in the resting or lying position, is or can be connected to the vehicle structure of a tensile force transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Huf, Sylvia Kleindl, Fabian Koehler
  • Patent number: 10363844
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable damping system for a vehicle seat for damping vibrations of a seat-part-side upper part relative to a body-side lower part in at least one spatial direction (X, Y, Z), at least one damping element, arranged between the seat-part-side upper part and the body-side lower part and adjustable by an adjustment device, being provided for the damping. The damping system is further distinguished in that at least one relative movement variable and a change in the relative movement variable of the seat-part-side upper part relative to the body-side lower part can be determined by a sensor device, and a first damping force of the damping element can be adjusted by the adjustment device as a function of the at least one relative movement variable and the frequency of the change in the relative movement variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Erwin Haller, Jens Kolb, Konstantin Krivenkov
  • Patent number: 10266080
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is disposed on a floor portion of a passenger compartment, and includes first and second upper seat tracks, and a seat bottom disposed thereon. First and second lower seat tracks are each disposed longitudinally in the vehicle and secured to the floor portion at respective fore and aft attachment locations, wherein each of the first and second upper seat tracks is slidably disposed in a respective one of the first and second lower seat tracks. A support damper is disposed between the floor portion and one of the first and second lower seat tracks and disposed between the respective fore and aft attachment locations. The support damper is disposed at a longitudinal position between the respective fore and aft attachment locations at a maximum vertical deflection point of the respective one of the first and second lower seat tracks relative to the floor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Stebbins, John J. Mascarello, Sharath Varadappa
  • Patent number: 9937832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat or to a vehicle cabin having a suspension apparatus comprising a top end part and a bottom end part, which can be deflected relative to the top end part, which are connected to each other in a spring-loaded manner by means of a suspension element, and having a dampening apparatus for dampening vibrations having effect on at least one of the two end parts wherein the dampening apparatus and a distance leveling apparatus for adjusting a distance between the top end part and the bottom end part have an actuator fluid element controlled by common pressure stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Erwin Haller
  • Patent number: 9821689
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension system for an operator platform that is pivotally attached at a pivot axis to a chassis of a turf maintenance vehicle. The system may include a suspension apparatus selectively attachable either to a support area of the chassis, or to the platform such that the apparatus is located between the support area and the platform. The suspension apparatus may be attachable at either a first location or a second location, wherein the suspension apparatus is spaced-apart from the pivot axis: by a first distance when in the first location; and by a second distance, different than the first distance, when in the second location. The suspension apparatus may include a support member and resilient element(s) attached to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Garry W. Busboom, Nicholas R. Hiser, C. Mark Atterbury
  • Patent number: 9764614
    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 connector assembly can extend between and operatively connect the first and second support assemblies. An actuator assembly can be displaceable between collapsed and extended conditions. The actuator assembly can be oriented transverse to the first direction of travel and can be operatively associated with the connector element such that displacement of the actuator assembly generates displacement of the first and second support assemblies relative to one another along the first direction of travel. A suspension system including such a suspension actuation assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9678353
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses three-dimensional glasses and a three-dimensional display system, which provide a wearer with a better three-dimensional visual effect and reduce dizziness and fatigue of the wearer. The three-dimensional glasses include a frame including two lens frames, each lens frame having an engagement part; two lenses rotationally assembled in the engagement parts of the two lens frames, respectively; and at least one counterweight member fixed to a periphery of each of the lenses and rotating the lens to an equilibrium position. When the two lenses are at the equilibrium positions, a transmission axis of one of the two lenses is parallel to a polarization axis of a left eye image of a three-dimensional display apparatus and a transmission axis of the other one of the two lenses is parallel to a polarization axis of a right eye image of the three-dimensional display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutao Hao, Feng Zhao, Bin Zou, Qian Zhang, Junjie Guo
  • Patent number: 9211814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat adjustment mechanism for a seat, for example a seat for all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Schneider, Daniel P. Strobach, Phillip B. Swain
  • Patent number: 8973967
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat surface, a backrest and a suspension device. The suspension device may comprise at least one upper part on a seat surface side, a lower part on the body side, suspension mechanisms and damping mechanisms. At least the scissor-type frame is positioned between the upper part on the seat surface and the lower part on a vehicle body. The vehicle seat may comprise a tilting mechanism which can be actuated by a vertical deflection of the suspension device for tilting the upper part on the seat surface side relative to the lower part on the body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Jens Kolb
  • Patent number: 8702147
    Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a seat, and a frame and support surface that are movable with respect to each other between rest and attenuated positions, wherein the frame and support surface are respectively a first and second distance apart. A biasing mechanism biases the frame and support surface to the rest position between blast and slam down phases. A damper coupled between the frame and support surface has blast and rebound recovery resistance settings. The blast resistance setting is set to a predetermined value based on a weight of a seat occupant. The damper, during the blast phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the attenuated position based upon the blast resistance setting, and after the blast phase and prior to the slam down phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the rest position based upon the rebound recovery resistance setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Arcca Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan Cantor, Michael Markushewski, Gary R. Whitman, Daniel McDonough, Larry A. Sicher, Louis A. D'Aulerio, Donald K. Eisentraut, Tim Keon
  • Publication number: 20130221699
    Abstract: A tractor is disclosed as a four-wheel drive vehicle with a movable seat back, with a seat height adjustment and with a varying load capability. The tractor also has a speed control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Polaris Industries Inc.
  • Patent number: 8430442
    Abstract: A tractor is disclosed as a four-wheel drive vehicle with a movable seat back, with a seat height adjustment and with a varying load capability. The tractor also has a speed control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Utke, Philip Nowacki
  • Patent number: 8414054
    Abstract: A simplified tilt-integrated suspension mechanism includes first and second supporting legs to support an upper frame and a lower frame on one side of a seat section, and third and fourth supporting legs to support the lower frame and the upper frame on the other side of the seat section. The first and third supporting legs are pivotally connected to the upper frame on the same axial line. The second and fourth supporting legs each include a lower supporting leg portion pivotally connected to the lower frame, and an upper supporting leg portion pivotally connected to the lower supporting leg portion by a pivot pin and slidably joined to the upper frame. A releasable locking means may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Namba Press Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Komatsubara, Tomohiro Gohara, Akira Kuroki
  • Patent number: 8403083
    Abstract: In a vehicle (1) including a frame (2) incorporated with a drive unit (3) for enabling the frame to travel in a prescribed direction and a seat assembly (4) supported by the frame and including a pair of saddle members (63) defining a pair of seat surfaces (70A), respectively, configured to jointly support buttocks of a vehicle occupant, the saddle members are resiliently supported by the frame in such a manner that the seat surface of each saddle member is in an approximately horizontal orientation but is progressively tilted inward with a downward movement of the saddle member under a load of a vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Waita, Kazushi Hamaya, Hiroshi Gomi
  • Patent number: 8308216
    Abstract: An adjustable cushioned intermediate system for vehicle seats may have at least four shock absorbers, at least four actuators and at least one accelerometer and/or as many loading cells as shock absorbers and a control unit suitable for controlling the actuators. On the basis of the information obtained from the accelerometer and/or from the loading cells, as to oppose the stresses affecting the seat and improve the comfort of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Iveco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Bertozzi
  • Patent number: 8303018
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing noises created by a movable seat back that is tethered to a cabin wall. The seat back has a latch bracket that hooks over a rigid striker pin extending from the cabin wall. A dynamic hook insert, manufactured from a polymeric material, lines the latch bracket and makes direct contact with the striker pin. The insert is provided with a resiliently bendable section spaced from direct contact with the latch bracket. The resiliently bendable section is dynamically movable for absorbing vibrations transferred to and from the striker pin and for automatically accommodating dimensional variances in the striker pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Control Technology Company
    Inventors: Tony A. Zambon, James D. Biebel
  • Patent number: 8282149
    Abstract: An active suspension seat is mounted to a floor of a vehicle with a floor plate having a lower portion through which is formed a first plurality of apertures positioned about the lower portion to correspond to the manner in which mounting features are positioned about the floor of the vehicle, and having an upper portion through which is formed a second plurality of apertures positioned about the upper portion to correspond to the manner in which apertures are positioned about a lower frame of the active suspension seat, and to enable the active suspension seat to be coupled to the floor plate by inserting fasteners through the second plurality of apertures from locations external to the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Kniffin, Christopher P. Nute, Ian Ross Clark
  • Patent number: 8215694
    Abstract: An ATV includes a removable passenger seat. The passenger seat is selectively added or removed from the ATV by way of a latch assembly. The passenger seat is supported by a pivot support link and a suspension coupling. The pivot support link and suspension coupling may be positioned rearward of a straddle-type seat for a driver. The entire pivot support link can be attached to the ATV in a dampened manner by way of the suspension coupling. The suspension coupling is comprised of at least one element acting in a linear direction and moving in at least a partially vertical travel component. The positioning of the suspension coupling provides greater vertical clearance, and therefore, maximum vertical stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Smith, Richard D. Ripley, Scott D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8162372
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat (1) for an armored vehicle, incorporating a back rest (2) integral with a wall or the roof (4) of the vehicle and a sitting part (3) mounted able to pivot with respect to the back rest (2) between a folded position in which it is substantially parallel to the back rest (2) and an unfolded position where it is held by a limit stop and is substantially perpendicular to the back rest (2). This seat is characterized in that the sitting part (3) is connected to the back rest (2) by linking means (6, 8) ensuring, in the event of a predetermined load, the release of the limit stop (8) of the sitting part (3) and its pivoting beyond the unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nexter Systems
    Inventors: Benoit Bettencourt, Michel Godard, Bernard Sagory, Xavier Poirmeur
  • Patent number: 8162374
    Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a seat, and a frame and support surface that are movable with respect to each other between rest and attenuated positions, wherein the frame and support surface are respectively a first and second distance apart. A biasing mechanism biases the frame and support surface to the rest position between blast and slam down phases. A damper coupled between the frame and support surface has blast and rebound recovery resistance settings. The blast resistance setting is set to a predetermined value based on a weight of a seat occupant. The damper, during the blast phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the attenuated position based upon the blast resistance setting, and after the blast phase and prior to the slam down phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the rest position based upon the rebound recovery resistance setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ARCCA, Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan Cantor, Michael Markushewski, Gary R. Whitman, Daniel McDonough, Larry A. Sicher, Louis A. D'Aulerio, Donald K. Eisentraut
  • Publication number: 20110277433
    Abstract: A suspended operator platform for use with a ride-on lawnmower or the like is connected to a rigid chassis of the ride-on lawnmower by a suspension system that has a parallelogram linkage. The operator platform supports an entire body of the operator and isolation mounts connect a seat assembly to the operator platform. Steering controls of the ride-on lawnmower are connected to the operator platform so that the steering controls move with the operator platform and are suspended and/or isolated from the chassis. The suspension system includes a course-stiffness adjuster and a fine-stiffness adjuster that for adjusting suspension stiffness to correspond to a particular operator and/or terrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Sugden, James W. Hall
  • Publication number: 20110181069
    Abstract: An active suspension seat is mounted to a floor of a vehicle with a floor plate having a lower portion through which is formed a first plurality of apertures positioned about the lower portion to correspond to the manner in which mounting features are positioned about the floor of the vehicle, and having an upper portion through which is formed a second plurality of apertures positioned about the upper portion to correspond to the manner in which apertures are positioned about a lower frame of the active suspension seat, and to enable the active suspension seat to be coupled to the floor plate by inserting fasteners through the second plurality of apertures from locations external to the lower frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Kniffin, Christopher P. Nute, Ian Ross Clark
  • Patent number: 7977396
    Abstract: Cushions for dynamic impact applications include anisotropic cellular polymers made in an extrusion, expanded bead or reactive foaming process. The anisotropic behavior represented by CE/CT, CV/CT and CH/CT, wherein CE, CV and CH represent the compressive strength of the cellular polymer in each of three orthogonal directions E, V and H, respectively, as measured by compressing a 25-50 mm thick sample of the cellular polymer at a strain rate of 0.08 s?1 to 25% strain, CT represents the sum of CE, CV and CH, and at least one of CE/CT, CV/CT and CH/CT has a value of at least 0.40, up to about 0.80. The cellular polymer also preferably has density of 1.75 to 2.35 pounds/cubic foot and a compressive stress in the direction of maximum compressive strength of 290-600 kPa at 25% strain when used for headliner countermeasure applications. The cushions are useful in automotive applications such as automotive headliners, door panels, knee bolsters, pillars, headrests, seat backs, load floors or instrument panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Myron J. Maurer, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Gavin D. Vogel, Andrew N. Paquet, Chau V. Vo, Charles A. Berglund
  • Patent number: 7909058
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a manipulation button 40 for adjusting the height of a cushion seat for a vehicle that is capable of absorbing the shocks applied to a driver sitting on the cushion seat while the vehicle is being driven on a relatively rough road, and more particularly, to a button for adjusting the height of a cushion seat for a vehicle that is capable of adjusting the height of the cushion seat according to a driver's physical conditions and his desired driving posture, wherein a plurality of pneumatic valves having flow channels formed therein are intensively configured with one another in such a manner as to be operated by means of the seesaw type button 41, thereby effectively performing the ascending and descending motions of the cushion seat in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ewon Comfortech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong Mo Kang
  • Publication number: 20100187859
    Abstract: Disclosed are work machine vehicles having an adjustable seatbar assembly in the operator protective structure. The adjustable seatbar assembly is suspended from a seat in the operator protective structure. Vehicle controls are integrated with the adjustable seatbar assembly such that the vehicle controls and the operator sitting on the seat are maintained at constant relative positions with respect to each other even as the work machine vehicle moves over rough terrain and the seat moves up and down on a seat suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron G. Hill, Jeremy W. Ekren
  • Patent number: 7762603
    Abstract: An improved truck bed seating apparatus, wherein a frame is removably attached to a truck bed for supporting seating thereon, and wherein the design allows for easy removal and installation of the frame assembly and provides for a minimal use of space when the apparatus is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Carey Hyde
  • Publication number: 20100052356
    Abstract: A suspension system for a seat assembly of a machine includes an upper support member and a lower support member. An array of fluid chambers is operatively connected to the upper and lower support members. Each of the fluid chambers includes an electronically controlled valve for controlling an amount of fluid within the fluid chambers. An elastomer is coupled between the upper support member and the lower support member. An electronic controller is in communication with each of the electronically controlled valves and is configured to actuate the valves in response to a movement of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Charles E. Lewis, II
  • Publication number: 20100019524
    Abstract: A tractor is disclosed as a four-wheel drive vehicle with a movable seat back, with a seat height adjustment and with a varying load capability. The tractor also has a speed control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Utke, Philip Nowacki
  • Publication number: 20090198419
    Abstract: An apparatus meant to be incorporated into a suspension system of a suspended seat of a vehicle acts to slow movement of the seat or to stop and hold the seat against movement along at least one axis in response to an indication of the vehicle traveling at a relatively slow speed or an indication of the vehicle's speed of travel being decreased. The indication may be received from various sources including manually-operated controls, sensors and/or controller devices within the vehicle relaying their status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ian Ross Clark
  • Patent number: 7568675
    Abstract: A scissor suspension includes a first arm having a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured for pivotal attachment to a structure and a first bearing may be pivotally connected proximate to the second end of the first arm. A second arm having a first end and a second end may be pivotally connected to the first arm between the first and second ends of the first and second arms. The first bearing may be moveably coupled to the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Catton
  • Publication number: 20090189407
    Abstract: A suspension system for a seat assembly of a machine includes an upper support member and a lower support member. A plurality of vertically aligned guide pins interconnect the upper and lower support members, and are telescopically movable to adjust a distance between the upper and lower support members. A plurality of suspension devices are operatively connected to the upper and lower support members for biasing the upper support member away from the lower support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Charles E. Lewis, II
  • Patent number: 7523981
    Abstract: Vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, can be provided with a frame and a fender assembly. The fender assembly can have layered fender panels attached together with a bolt and T-nut. A channel can be formed between the fender panels to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway. A seat includes a compression surface for sandwiching the fender assembly with respect to the frame. Front and rear fender assemblies can be attached to the frame by a midpoint fastener passing through respective apertures in each of the front and rear fender assemblies, through a grommet, and into the frame. A stay assembly attaches a mudguard to the fender assembly, and can involve a swivel clip. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Karube, Stephen Hlopick
  • Patent number: 7513558
    Abstract: A safety seat for land vehicles, aircraft or vessels, comprising a harness for suspension from fixed points of a vehicle and for supporting a vehicle occupant. Belt retractors are disposed at the fixed vehicle points, and fabric supporting belts extend from the harness to the retractors, which pretension the belts in a direction of retraction. A manually operable switching device allows the belt retractors to be switched into a free running state, a blocking state, or a positioning state. The free running state permits free withdrawal of the belts in a direction opposite to the pretension. The blocking state effects a complete blocking of the belts in both the withdrawal and the retraction directions. The positioning state effects blocking of the belts in only the withdrawal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Autoflug GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Hansen
  • Patent number: 7461885
    Abstract: A backrest mechanism for a stand-up rider operator's platform in an industrial vehicle, in which an operator operates the vehicle while standing, has a support portion and a support holder. The support portion has a backrest portion for supporting a back of the operator and a seat portion for at least supporting buttocks of the operator. The support portion supports the operator by either of the backrest portion and the seat portion. The support holder is located on a rear side of the vehicle from the operator's platform. The support holder holds the support portion so that the support portion is detachable from the support holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toytoa Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Akira Mochizuki, Takanori Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7448664
    Abstract: A seat mount structure for a saddle ride vehicle having seat brackets provided on a vehicle body frame, includes hooks on a bottom plate of a seat, and locking the hooks to the seat brackets to thereby mount the seat to the vehicle body frame. The structure also includes front-side cushion rubbers for receiving the load on the seat side mounted to the seat brackets, the front-side cushion rubbers being located on the inner side of the hooks. With this seat mount structure for a saddle ride vehicle, a bending moment at a lock portion between the vehicle body frame side and the seat side is suppressed, and the ride comfort is enhanced while setting the moldability of a seat bottom plate to be equivalent to that in the related art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Karube, Rei Shioya
  • Patent number: 7246836
    Abstract: A suspension system for an “All Belts To Seat” or “ABTS” style seat is provided that includes a floor bracket, seat bracket, and an equalizing bracket. Means for allowing motion between the seat bracket and floor bracket is provided by a set of cams. The equalizing bracket connects the cams and ensures synchronized rotation. The height of the seat bracket is adjustable with respect to the floor bracket by means of an air spring, and motion between the two brackets is dampened by an interconnected shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Seats Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas C. Hahn
  • Patent number: 7080870
    Abstract: A collapsible backrest assembly includes a panel that has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front side and a back side. A tube extends into the first lateral edge and outwardly of the second lateral edge. A first rod and a second rod each have a first end extending into opposite ends of the tube. A biasing member is positioned in the tube and biases the first and second rods away from each other. A pair of plates is provided. Each of the plates has a first side and a second side. The second ends of the rods are each attached to one of the first sides of the plates. Each of the plates may be abutted against one of a pair of spaced walls so that the panel is supported between the spaced walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventors: Monty D. McCann, Michael G. Blanquiz
  • Patent number: 6857674
    Abstract: The articulated device (10) that is intended for filtering vibrational movements from a vehicle floor (12) and transmitted to a passenger support (19), is installed between said floor (12) and said support (19), and comprises two mounts (20) fixed to the vehicle floor (12), one mobile central part (22) articulated to the support (19), two connecting rods (24), each articulated to one of the mounts (20) and the central part (22). These five elements (20, 22, 24) are articulated to each other and to the support (19) by rotation joints, the rotations operating about five rotation axes (32, 34, 36) that are parallel to each other. The system (100) for filtering vibrational movements transmitted to a passenger support (19) comprises at least three filtering devices (10), such that the support (19) moves in translation along a plane curved trajectory. To be used for an aircraft seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventor: Philippe Chareyre
  • Patent number: 6773049
    Abstract: A seat assembly for an off-road vehicle includes a seat having a bottom surface, and a resilient seat suspension supporting the seat. The seat is supported at least in part by a first bumper element carried by the seat suspension. The first bumper element includes a protruding portion interposed between the seat bottom surface and the seat suspension, the protruding portion supporting a portion of the seat from the seat suspension. The seat suspension and the first bumper element are arranged to adjust a length of the protruding portion. The length of the protruding portion can be adjusted to set an elevation of the seat at the point of support by the first bumper element. The seat can also be adjustably connected to another part of the resilient seat suspension by use of a seat bracket with selectable holes to register with holes provided on the resilient seat suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Co.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rupiper, David A. Westimayer
  • Publication number: 20040056501
    Abstract: The articulated device (10) that is intended for filtering vibrational movements from a vehicle floor (12) and transmitted to a passenger support (19), is installed between said floor (12) and said support (19), and comprises two mounts (20) fixed to the vehicle floor (12), one mobile central part (22) articulated to the support (19), two connecting rods (24), each articulated to one of the mounts (20) and the central part (22). These five elements (20, 22, 24) are articulated to each other and to the support (19) by rotation joints, the rotations operating about five rotation axes (32, 34, 36) that are parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Philippe Chareyre
  • Patent number: 6193297
    Abstract: The vehicle seat suspension system of the present invention provides an active seat suspension system responsive to conditions indicative of a collision or rollover for moving the seat downwardly to the limit of its vertical travel. The seat assembly comprises the seat, an active suspension system for maintaining an equilibrium position of the seat, sensors responsive to accident conditions for generating accident indication signals, and a seat positioning signal generator responsive to the accident indication signals for providing a seat relocation signal, where the active suspension system being responsive to the seat relocation signal for moving the seat to a retracted location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: Gary L. Vandermolen
  • Patent number: 6179362
    Abstract: A vehicle utility seat in which the seat back can be rotated down onto the seat bottom to form a pass through opening into the trunk area of the vehicle. In addition, the seat bottom can be rotated upward to a stowed position immediately in front of the seat back providing increased cargo area in the rear seat area. A flat load floor is provided beneath the seat bottom for placing cargo thereon. The seat bottom and seat back are formed with complementary seating surfaces so that the seat bottom and seat back can nest together and occupy a minimal volume in the vehicle to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the vehicle. In addition, the seat bottom and seat back are mounted to the vehicle for rotation about a common pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Chester R. Wisniewski, Daniel J. Koester