Plural Related Seats Patents (Class 297/232)
  • Publication number: 20120292957
    Abstract: In a block of seats side by side which can be converted individually between a chair configuration and a horizontal flat bed configuration, and the seats are arranged and oriented substantially in the same direction, the longitudinal axes of two of the seats in the bed configuration converge towards a point situated in front of the seats at a distance such that the foot areas in front of the seats in the bed configuration, where the feet of an occupant of the seat are located in normal use, are superposed. The bed planes of the seats of a block are vertically offset and extended by rest surfaces of the foot areas arranged in a column arranged between the seat backs of the seats of a block situated in front, making it possible to reduce the seat pitch whilst not affecting comfort and allowing an improved cabin layout for transporting passengers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: EADS SOGERMA
    Inventors: Franck Vergnaud, Didier Guinot, Gabriel Martin
  • Publication number: 20120292962
    Abstract: Disposed is a seat device wherein a first seat cushion (41) of a first seat (16) is sprung up from a seating position to an upright folded position at a location forward of the seating position. The seat device (15) comprises first vertical leg sections (51, 52) at the front of the first seat cushion (41), these vertical leg sections (51, 52) extending vertically downward. First horizontal sections (54, 55) extend horizontally forward from the lower ends of the first vertical leg sections (51, 52), and are rotatably connected to a first slider (48) which is slidably connected to a fixed rail (35). In the seating position of the first seat cushion (41), the lower ends of the first vertical leg sections (51, 52) are supported by the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Takakura, Daiga Ito
  • Publication number: 20120292967
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved pivot articulation for a kinematic seat. Certain embodiments provide an elastic pivot that is formed as flexion weaves that connect upper and lower portions of a seat back. The flexion weaves may be inner and outer legs that are curved in configuration or that have bent dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Jeremy Cailleteau
  • Publication number: 20120286550
    Abstract: A seat assembly comprises a plurality of stabilizing members mounted to a base. A passenger support member is moveably mounted along the plurality of stabilizing members. A plurality of spaced apart inflatable actuators are drivingly connected to the passenger support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: SimEx Inc.
    Inventors: Alex L. Gil, Michael Berinde
  • Publication number: 20120274108
    Abstract: A convenient airplane seat system having a modified seat arrangement to reduce contact and interference between adjacent passengers. In the airplane seat system, a plurality of seats, each having a seat part, a backrest part, and armrests, are arranged in lines on a frame, and one line of seats is higher than other lines of seats by a predetermined length, and said one line is further forward than the other lines of seats by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Jong Jin KIM
  • Publication number: 20120274109
    Abstract: Sleeper seats, wherein each comprises a head rest, a back rest, a seat pan or seat cushion, a leg rest, an ottomans and a dividers between the individual seats with the their column. The four seats are arranged in a staggered chevron formation and two columns. All the seats in each column are parallel with each other and set at a “herringbone” angle ? to the column direction, in other words their central axes A make the angle ? with a longitudinal axis of the array. Each seat extends from its column side of the longitudinal axis across the axis to a small extent. Along the axis, first a seat from one column crosses the axis and then a seat from the other column crosses the axis and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony Harcup
  • Publication number: 20120261956
    Abstract: A backrest for a vehicle has a shell reaching over at least two seats. The shell has a support structure that completely surrounds the shell on the adjacement sides and partially surrounds the shell on sides adjoining the adjacent sides. Starting from a common corner of the adjacent sides an end of one of the partially surrounding sides is arranged obliquely. This end terminates in an intermediate region between the same. The support structure connects upper and lower connecting points of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Nasshan, Joachim Muehlberger, Anton Niedermeier
  • Publication number: 20120261954
    Abstract: Described are passenger seat assemblies having a seat back support, a seat pan coupled to the seat back support, a seat support structure coupled to the seat pan, wherein the seat support structure comprises a mounting channel, and a mounting bar inserted through the mounting channel and coupled to the seat support structure. The mounting bar is configured to pivotally couple to a passenger cabin. The mounting bar may also be configured to rotate the passenger seat assembly between an upright position and a reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Franghie Rubio Khalil, Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre, Sahira Villalobos Gonzalez, Carla Cristina Gonzalez Salitrero, Jose Angel Vilchis Dominguez
  • Publication number: 20120256455
    Abstract: Described are passenger seats comprising a seat body; at least one wire-frame support comprising a base coupled to the seat body and at least one wire-frame member pivotally coupled to the base; and at least one seat cover coupled to the seat body, wherein the at least one wire-frame support is at least partially enclosed between the at least one seat cover and the seat body. The at least one seat cover may be formed of an elastic fiber or plastic. The at least one wire-frame support may be positioned on the seat body in a location configured to provide support for a passenger's neck or lumbar area. Also described are passenger seats comprising a seat body; at least one wire-frame sub-assembly; and at least one seat cover coupled to the seat body, wherein the at least one wire-frame sub-assembly is at least partially enclosed between the at least one seat cover and the seat body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre, Jesus Eduardo Rosales Salazar
  • Publication number: 20120248834
    Abstract: A frame of rectangular configuration, constructed of structural components and usable in connection with modular furniture. Front and back frame components are interconnected by a pair of side components, and a locking bar member extends between the side components and is movable therealong while remaining essentially parallel to the back component. The locking bar member has a straight edge in alignment with and parallel to a straight edge of the back component, such that when the locking bar member is brought into a relatively close relation to the back component, the straight edges of the back component and the locking bar member can hold therebetween a backrest equipped with cleats in a secure, fixed position, without the need for screws, bolts, pins or other joinder elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: William L. Whidden, Lawrence W. Bechtold
  • Publication number: 20120248835
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sofa or the like that has an end cushion having a lower stationary member approximating the height of an armrest of the sofa and a rotatable upper member that may be rotated to overlie an armrest of the sofa. A back support may be provided for sitting crosswise on the sofa. A lower front panel that is rotatable to a position overlying a seat cushion so as to act as an armrest for a person sitting crosswise on the sofa is also possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Kevin WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20120248836
    Abstract: A seat stretcher that can be positioned in the seat box of a sofa to maintain the structural integrity of the seat box against the compressive force of the seat springs. The seat stretcher mounts without fasteners and without additional hardward. In embodiments, the seat stretcher has an offset portion that can be rotated to create space within the seat box for storing cushions or legs within the cavity defined by the seat box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ASHLEY FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Jon Lejcher, Timothy A. Brandtner
  • Publication number: 20120228908
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat back in which a seat body is supported by a seat frame; a backboard provided on a rear surface of the seat back; and a cloth member covering a surface of the backboard, wherein the backboard is attached to the seat frame to have a convex shape in which a center part of a surface thereof protrudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kunio NISHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20120223557
    Abstract: Seating arrangements for seats configurable between an upright and lie-flat position are presented. A three-seat grouping can include a lower aft-facing seating assembly, an upper seating assembly, and a lower fore-facing seating assembly in which the lower seating assemblies underlap the upper seating assembly when in a lie-flat position. Lower seats can be aligned or angled with respect to an upper seat in a manner that conserves space. A six-seat grouping can include 3-seat groupings in which lower seats are aligned with upper seats, or are angled with respect to them. Support structures can be shared by adjacent seats. A six-seat grouping can be embodied as a hybrid arrangement in which footspace is narrower for a lower opposing seat than for a lower seat facing the same direction as an upper seat. In an example embodiment, footspace can be divided between an upper seat and a lower opposing seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20120217777
    Abstract: A sitting arrangement (1) is disclosed. Said sitting arrangement includes a support frame (2), seat part (4) and backrest (3). The seat part (4) is articulately connected to the support frame (2) in at least one mounting mechanism (8a, b) located below a sitting surface of the seat part (4). At least one balance spring (14) is mounted between the seat part (4) and the support frame (2). The sitting arrangement may be used as an element of a chair, settee or longseat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Albert Solheim
  • Publication number: 20120212021
    Abstract: An easy-to-assemble sofa along with a method of packaging its components so as to consume the smallest possible space during shipping. The sofa includes arms and rails that may be assembled to form a frame. A seat deck and rear deck are installed to the arms and rails. Cushions are placed atop the seat deck, and foam cushions are placed in front of the rear deck to form the sofa's seating surfaces. To conserve space during shipping, the compressible seat cushions and rear cushions are placed between the rigid seat deck and rear deck. The entire assembly is banded with woven bands to maintain it in a compact compressed condition during shipping, which may all be in a single cardboard container. This method of packing allows the parts of the sofa to be packed in as compact a container as possible, saving money on shipping and storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: HANDY BUTTON MACHINE CO.
    Inventors: Thomas Hunter, Thomas C. Erdman
  • Publication number: 20120212020
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular a passenger seat in a passenger transportation vehicle, which is fastened releasably and adjustably on a supporting structure remote from the floor, is provided. A supporting tube is fastened in a horizontally projecting manner in a wall region of a vehicle. The vehicle seat is fixed to the supporting tube after being pushed onto the supporting tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Benno Schiefer
  • Patent number: 8240754
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat is provided that includes, but is not limited to a backrest, which may be pivoted from an essentially upright usage position into an essentially horizontal non-usage position and which has at least one wing rest, which includes, but is not limited to a support part and a cushion part fastened on the support part. The support part is linked on a middle backrest part in such a way that the wing rest may be pivoted, in the non-usage position of the backrest, from a lower armrest non-usage position around the pivot axis extending in the seat direction into an upper armrest usage position to implement an armrest. In the armrest usage position, the cushion part is situated above the middle backrest part while implementing an intermediate space between the cushion part and the middle backrest part. The support part has a cover plate, which covers the intermediate space in one transverse direction. Furthermore, a seating configuration is provided having such a motor vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jürgen Maier
  • Publication number: 20120181821
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for a multi-adjustable body-rest structure suitable for use in a sitting position, including sitting positions in a multi-row seating arrangement such as those encountered on board of airplanes, busses, ferries, and trains, among other similar arrangements. The multi-adjustable body-rest structure is generally configured to be used for rest or sleep while leaning forward from the user seat onto the back of the seat in front of the user seat. The multi-adjustable body-rest structure is further configured to be folded into the back of the seat in front of the user seat when not in use. The multi-adjustable body-rest structure is further configured to be adjusted to a position that comfortably accommodates the head, chest, and arms of users with different body sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Mohsen Edalati, Hoda Edalati
  • Patent number: 8201878
    Abstract: A seat arrangement is provided that includes, but is not limited to a first and a second vehicle seat, which are disposed adjacent to one another in a seat row and of which the first vehicle seat has a backrest, which can be pivoted from a substantially upright usage position in the seat direction forward into a substantially horizontal non-usage position. The backrest, includes, but is not limited to at least one height-adjustable cushion portion which, in the non-usage position of the backrest, can be moved by means of a four-bar mechanism having four articulation axes from a lower armrest non-usage position into an upper first armrest position to form an armrest for the second vehicle seat. The articulation axes extend transversely to the seat direction and are inclined with respect to a horizontal transverse to the seat direction. In an alternative embodiment, the articulation axes extend in the seat direction in the non-usage position of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jürgen Maier, Jens Winter, Thomas Dill, Heinrich Hammann, Viktor Enns, Ulf Schäffling
  • Publication number: 20120146356
    Abstract: A vehicle seating arrangement includes a first slide rail mounted to a vehicle floor, a second slide rail mounted to the floor, a multi-passenger seat mounted to the first slide rail and to the second slide rail, a restraining device on the multi-passenger seat, and a restraining rail connected with the floor. The multi-passenger seat moves in a fore and aft longitudinal direction and includes a cantilevered section extending from the second slide rail away from the first slide rail. The restraining device is located adjacent a lateral edge of the cantilevered section. The restraining rail connects with the floor spaced laterally from the second slide rail on an opposite side of the second slide rail as the first slide rail and cooperates with the restraining rail to limit at least one of lateral movement and upward vertical movement of the lateral edge of the cantilevered section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Grey B. Parker, Trenton Hobbs, Tetsumei Mochizuki, Rob Mangold
  • Publication number: 20120146372
    Abstract: A seating installation for a passenger vehicle, especially an aeroplane, said installation comprising a plurality of seat units, each seat unit having a back, two opposite sides and comprising a seat, which seat has a back-rest and a seat-pan and defines a longitudinal seat axis; wherein the plurality of seat units are arranged in two adjacent files, each file defining a file axis, and the seat units in each file being oriented such that the axis of each seat unit subtends an acute angle with the respective file axis and being offset from one another along their respective seat axes to form at least one bay in each file behind the back of at least one seat unit and to one side of an adjacent seat unit in the same respective file, the seat units in the two respective files being staggered with respect to one another and the two files being disposed relative to one another such that at least one seat unit in each one of the files nests partially within a corresponding bay of the other file such that the seat un
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: David Ferry
  • Publication number: 20120146366
    Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to include a variety of types of cushions. The seat may include primary and secondary cushions that are joined together such that the secondary cushion has a stored position under the seating surface of the primary seat cushion and a deployed position where the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent the primary seat cushion. The effective width of the seat may be greater when it is in one position than when it is in the other position. The back cushion may include first and second portions and a third portion intermediate the first and second positions. A vehicle may include left, right, and middle seats, the middle seat being configured to have two positions, the effective width of the middle seat in one position being greater than in the other position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Kyogoku, Daiju Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120139301
    Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to include a variety of types of cushions. The seat may include primary and secondary cushions that are joined together such that the secondary cushion has a stored position under the seating surface of the primary seat cushion and a deployed position where the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent the primary seat cushion. The effective width of the seat may be greater when it is in one position than when it is in the other position. The back cushion may include first and second portions and a third portion intermediate the first and second positions. A vehicle may include left, right, and middle seats, the middle seat being configured to have two positions, the effective width of the middle seat in one position being greater than in the other position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Kyogoku, Daiju Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120133182
    Abstract: A sofa includes a mounting frame, a plurality of air cushions mounted on the mounting frame, a controller connected with the air cushions, and an air compressor connected with the controller to supply air into the air cushions. The mounting frame is made of aluminum alloy. Each of the air cushions is made of rubber material. The controller regulates the air pressure in each of the air cushions so as to adjust hardness and tension of each of the air cushions. Thus, the air cushions have different curvatures and profiles so that when the air cushions can be used to support a user's head, neck, back, hands, waist, hip and legs so as to provide a comfortable sensation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Chao-Hsiung Chiu
  • Publication number: 20120119548
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a backrest which is provided at the seat part so as to be rotatable, wherein the seat part and the backrest can be transferred into an easy entry position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: James Abraham, Bernd Engels, Peter Szegeny, Johann Schreier
  • Publication number: 20120112500
    Abstract: The invention comprises a vehicle and seating arrangement having a central hub with four sides surrounded by four seats. The seats are arranged adjacent a respective side of the hub and facing substantially parallel to the side of the hub. In at least one embodiment, the arrangement provides access for each passenger to the aisle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy Graham Rundle, Lauren Mary Grace Van Uden, Andrew Bissett, Gavin Edward Balasingam, Mitchell Hughes, Kerry Alan Reeves, Victoria Anne Bamford, Matthew James Cooper, Glen Wilson Porter, Stephen Lee Kim, Leslie Rae Witt, Stacey Hsu-Wen Chang, Jeremy John Sutherland, Daniel McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 8172312
    Abstract: An excavator cab is configured to have an improved field of view for three passengers. Seating is provided for an operator, a trainer, and an trainee. Persons seated in those three seats have substantially similar lines of sight. The excavator cab is arranged such that the operator seat and the trainer seat face a front observation window. The trainee seat is mounted behind the operator seat and is retractable. The points of egress and aisle are wide enough to accommodate a stretcher or a litter in case of an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Lane C. Hobenshield, Steven Michael Casey, Mark D. Londborg, Russell J. Kroll
  • Publication number: 20120104814
    Abstract: A modular passenger seat for a passenger transportation vehicle is provided. The passenger seat is attached in a releasable fashion to a floor or to a side wall of the passenger transportation vehicle indirectly or directly by a supporting structure. In order to provide a modular passenger seat concept, the supporting structure includes a horizontal carrier to which upright frame parts for releasably attaching seat elements arranged there between are secured at a variable lateral distance from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Benno Schiefer
  • Patent number: 8162396
    Abstract: A modular, multiple-seat chair includes a main chair having a primary seat and a back. The main chair is adapted to support a single person thereon. Secondary seats are conveniently stowed beneath the primary seat and are removable therefrom to provide additional seating when desired. Each secondary seat incorporates a foldable leg and has structure for removably attaching each secondary seat to the primary seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Michelle M. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120091777
    Abstract: With a motor vehicle having a front axle and a rear axle, an underbody and shock absorbers, each of which extend between an upper point of action on the underbody and a lower point of action on the rear axle extending adjacent to a rear wheel, and at least one back seat the upper point of action of one of the shock absorbers is located vertically below the back seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo MILDNER, Stefan GLOGER
  • Patent number: 8141946
    Abstract: A system (1) for adjusting the position of at least one seat component such as head rest (4), back rest (6), seat component (8), leg rest (10), or foot rest (12) of a passenger seat (2) of a vehicle, an aircraft passenger seat in particular, by means of actuators, a seat control (14, 18) being mounted locally on the aircraft passenger seat (2) and being provided with at least one operating element (15) and data being transmissible between the seat controls (14, 18) of a plurality of passenger seats (2), preferably of all passenger seats (2) of the vehicle, including data relating to the position of the seat components and/or data relating to operation of the actuators, and a common control unit (24; 124), characterized in that the seat control (14, 18) and the common control unit (24; 124) each has a data transmission unit (20, 21, 32, 34, 36) for wireless data transmission and an associated common control unit (24; 124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marco Krämer
  • Publication number: 20120042448
    Abstract: A sofa hinge that provides easy conversion of a sofa convertible from one position to another while providing added safety by substantially reducing the risk of an injury to the operator's fingers. The sofa hinge includes a first and a second bracket rotatably connected to the sofa hinge at a bolt. The second bracket includes a semi-circular portion that covers a portion of the lever during the various positions of the sofa. The sofa hinge further includes a cover plate rotatably connected to the sofa hinge at the bolt. The cover plate includes a semi-circular portion and is adjacent to the semi-circular portion of the second bracket. The cover plate covers at least a portion of the semi-circular portion of the second bracket. By having the cover plate conceal the gear mechanism of the sofa hinge, the risk of injury to the operator's fingers is substantially reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: LIFESTYLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Abedan Kanthasamy
  • Patent number: 8118361
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
  • Patent number: 8113583
    Abstract: The prostate golf cart seat protects the prostate area of men from continuous bouncing by providing 1½ inches of air space between the seat and the prostate. The prostate golf cart seat may be movable or stationary. The stationary seat has two 7 inch wide spaces with 1½ inches of air space under the prostate. All seat cushions are 1½ inches thick allowing for the 1½ inches of air space between the seat and the prostate. The movable seat has two 8 inch stationary end cushions. The center would consist of two 8 inch cushions moving along a rail which allows riders to close the 7 inch seat gap to 3 inches from the stationary end cushion. The center air space between each rider and seat of each would have a depth 1½ inches. A “T” bolt or a knurled knob is used for adjusting the seat cushions. The stationary seat has two 7 inch wide spaces. A depth of 1½ inches between the prostate and the seat is effectuated as the seat itself is 1½ inches thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Eugene Daniel Lucas
  • Publication number: 20120025018
    Abstract: A class divider in an aircraft between a first seating arrangement that comprises of seats of a first kind and a second seating arrangement that comprises of seats of a second kind. The divider comprises a primary partition wall member that extends upwardly from cabin floor level and that is positioned facing said first seating arrangement and a secondary partition wall member that extends from divider contiguous portions of a seat of said second kind positioned in said second class. The seat of said second kind bridges space between the secondary partition wall member and the cabin floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: James Dominic France, Alistair Pilditch, Maurice Trevor Benner
  • Publication number: 20120025571
    Abstract: A seat for a transport vehicle includes a seat surface, an armrest, and a child armrest. The child armrest is configured to adopt an adult position and a child position. In the adult position the child armrest is arranged in a stowed position in which the child armrest is incorporated in a contour of the armrest. In the child position the child armrest is arranged in a use position in which the child armrest has a reduced spacing from the seat surface in the vertical direction and a reduced spacing from an opposing armrest in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Lufthansa Technik AG
    Inventor: Harald Merensky
  • Patent number: 8091961
    Abstract: Two rows of seats (11, 12, 13) and (21, 22, 23), each having a seat cushion (2), a backrest (3) and a head rest (4) with wings (5). The outer seats (11, 13; 21, 23) face in one direction whilst the middle seats (12; 22) face in the other direction. The result is that the passenger in the middle seat (22) can look directly along lines of sight S at the passengers in the outer seats (11, 13) of the next row and vice versa, which they would prefer not to be able to do. The lines of sight pass the wings (5) of the head rests in front of the passengers concerned. The wings (5) extend from the edges (6) of their head rests (4) and have (screens 101) pivoted to the outside of the wings at their proximal ends (7). The screens comprise an outer frame (102) and a fabric screen material (103) within the frame. It is this material that interrupts the lines of sight S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Ian Hamilton Dryburgh
  • Publication number: 20110309662
    Abstract: A system of seats is described to be used on any transportation means, e.g. aircraft, train or ship, in order to offer a high level of comfort to passengers, concomitantly reducing the encumbrances associated to such seats and thereby allowing to provide a higher number of seats, available cabin space being equal, at competitive prices. The system of seats available space being equal when compared to a typical first-class installation, makes available plural seats, concomitantly maintaining an equal level of comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Alberto Veneruso
  • Patent number: 8075054
    Abstract: A seating system designed to accommodate a variety of activities that can be performed while a person is sitting or resting, and more particularly waiting. A single tandem row of seats or a back to back configuration of tandem seats has an electrical wire way extending behind or between each seat back, respectively. A cover plate encloses the wire way, and a plurality of electrical and data ports are accessible from the cover plate. Laptop computers, music players and other electrical devices can be plugged into the seating system so that the user can comfortably operate such a device while waiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Laura Lisa Smith
  • Publication number: 20110298256
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining at least two seats in a vertical position and a predetermined distance between rows of the at least two seats. The apparatus includes at least two substantially flat base portions; and at least two support blocks mounted a predetermined distance from each other on an upper surface of each of the base portions, wherein the at least two support blocks define a hollow region for receiving a lower end portion of a leg of a seat to maintain the seat in a vertical position. The predetermined distance between the support blocks corresponds to a predetermined distance between rows of seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Scott Suprina
  • Publication number: 20110298252
    Abstract: A chair 10 for seating in rows is disclosed. In particular, an armrest arrangement 21 for such chairs is disclosed. The arrangement has an arm support 22 which is pivoted to a support brace 23. When the seat 15 is pivoted into its standby position the arm support 22 and support brace 23 lie alongside each other and have a transverse width D6 which is less than the front to rear dimension D5 of the adjacent seat 15 and backrest 14. In particular, the armrest arrangement can be provided with a cup holder 145 which remains horizontal, notwithstanding the pivoting action of the chair armrest arrangement. This reduces the incidence of beverage and food spillage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: THE PRODUCT PEOPLE PTY LTD
    Inventor: Sheldon King
  • Patent number: 8061781
    Abstract: A configurable restraint system (10-10vi) for a vehicle seat (12, 12?) may comprise a first restraint harness (30-30?) coupled to a first engagement member (32), a second restraint harness (34-34?) coupled to a second engagement member (36), and a third engagement member (50-50??) configured to be movable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle seat. The first position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the first engagement member (32) may releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to restrain a first occupant of the vehicle seat via the first restraint harness (30-30?). The second position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the second engagement member (36) may alternatively releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to alternatively restrain the first occupant of the vehicle seat via the second restraint harness (34-34?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W Foye, Aaron J Acton, Guy R Dingman
  • Publication number: 20110278884
    Abstract: A seat for passengers comprising a seat body and at least one seat portion, wherein the seat comprises identification devices able to receive and verify the correctness of an identification code of the seat and activation devices, operatively connected to the identification devices, so as to be enabled and/or disabled depending on the result of verification of the identification code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CLERPREM S.p.A.
    Inventor: GianRoberto Marchesi
  • Patent number: 8056974
    Abstract: A foldable seat for a bleacher seating arrangement includes a seat or seat structure fixedly disposed at a deck portion and a seat back pivotally disposed at a rear portion of the seat portion. The seat back is pivotable between an upright position, where a person may sit at the seat structure and may lean back against the seat back, and a folded down position, where the seat back may lay generally on top of or at least partially over the seat structure. The seat back may be pivotally mounted relative to the deck portion and may be substantially freely pivotable between the upright and folded down positions. The bleacher seating arrangement may include a plurality of deck portions that may be retracted to a nested position when the seat backs are in their folded down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventor: Larry R. Conner
  • Patent number: 8051778
    Abstract: A chair for a chair lift has seats with a seat surface and a safety bar that extends transversely over the seats and can be pivoted from an open position into a closed position. Securing parts, in particular protective panels, are arranged on the safety bar and, in the closed position of the safety bar, extend in the direction toward the center of the front edge of the respective seat surface. The securing parts have a first section which is adjacent to the safety bar and is oriented toward the front edge, and a second end section which is oriented at an angle of less than 180° to the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Österle
  • Patent number: 8011723
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for an aircraft cabin is disclosed which includes seats having a backrest (16) which is pivotally moveable from an upright position to a flat position. A side ottoman (22) having a front portion (42) is located beside the seat base (14) of the seat. The seat has a footwell (32) into which the front portion of the side ottoman locates so that when the seat (16) is in the flat position a bed is formed by the rear surface (17), the front portion (42) located in the footwell of a front seat in front of the said seat and a base (34) of an open space (30) behind is the backrest (16) when in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Singapore Airlines Limited
    Inventors: James Park, Kim Chui Sim
  • Publication number: 20110210589
    Abstract: A utility seat encompasses a length of fabric of a tear-resistant, flexible material that can be secured to two spaced apart vehicle seats in a row of seats between the two vehicle seats to form the utility seat. A backrest section and a seat section are arranged thereupon. The length of fabric can be refracted into a cassette to be arranged between the vehicle seats when the utility seat is not in use, and extended from the cassette when using the utility seat. The cassette has a width configured to accommodate the length of fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jens WINTER, Jürgen MAIER
  • Patent number: 7997647
    Abstract: A chair includes a chair base and seat frame extending upwardly from the chair base. The chair includes an interlock assembly, and an infant chair repeatably moveable between stowed and deployed positions with the chair base. The interlock assembly restricts and allows the ability of the infant chair to move between the stowed and deployed positions. The interlock assembly restricts the ability of the chair base to rotate in response to the infant chair being in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Dan Sjoquist, Kurt Hinkle
  • Patent number: 7988229
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement (1) is provided including a seat structure divided, in a transversal direction, into an outer first seat (11), a middle second seat (12), and an outer third seat (13), which can all be moved in a longitudinal direction in relation to the vehicle structure and can be locked therewith. The arrangement is provided with a coupling device (20) which couples the second seat (12) to one of the two outer seats (11, 13), forming a pair, when the other of the two outer seats (11, 13) is moved in relation to the pair in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Dill, Ingo Teufel, Ulf Schaeffling, Kai Schumann, Heinrich Hammann