Coupled Side-by-side Patents (Class 297/248)
  • Patent number: 11745627
    Abstract: A double fitting for a vehicle seat may have a first fitting part and a second fitting part that are drivingly connected to each other. The double fitting may also have adapter parts that can be connected to at least one of the fitting parts. One of the adapter parts can be connected to a structural part of the vehicle seat or to a vehicle body part, and the other adapter part is movably connected to a limited degree to the other adapter part which can be rigidly connected to the structural part or the vehicle body part. An elastic element is arranged between the adapter parts, a first fitting of the fittings is arranged axially between the adapter parts, and one of the adapter parts is arranged axially between the fitting. A vehicle seat having the double fitting is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christian Wolf, Viktor Enns, Thomas Dill
  • Patent number: 11700940
    Abstract: A combination shelf includes at least four column units, at least two storage layers, and multiple clips. The column unit consists of two parallel, vertical poles on the left and right, and multiple connections connecting the left and right vertical poles. The clip has a vertical groove with a wing located on both sides at the lower halves of the front and rear ends of the groove opening. The grooves of the clips can be embedded by the vertical poles. The front and rear ends of both sides of the storage layer each offers an outward-opening U-shaped fastener. The front and rear edges of the lower half of the fastener each has a top pusher. The fasteners of the storage layer can each cover the exterior of the clips of the column units. The inner faces of the two top pushers each presses the two wings. By fitting together the corresponding bevels of the top pushers and the two wings, the clips and the fasteners press each other and therefore clamping the vertical pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: PROTREND CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Henry Chen
  • Patent number: 11672351
    Abstract: A modular seating kit for producing a modular seating apparatus, comprising one or more rectangular base platforms, at least one connecting bracket, one or more vertical supporting structures, one or more secondary vertical supporting structures, a plurality of fasteners, and one or more support legs, each base platform has a plurality of attachment points adapted to receive the support legs and fasteners, the vertical supporting structures and the secondary vertical supporting structures are adapted to be attached to one of the base platforms to function as backrests or armrests, and two or more of the base platforms are adapted to be linked together using the connecting brackets to provide the modular seating apparatus with expandable seating capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Burrow, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan Clabots
  • Patent number: 11457745
    Abstract: A modular seating kit for producing a modular seating apparatus, comprising one or more rectangular base platforms, at least one connecting bracket, one or more vertical supporting structures, one or more secondary vertical supporting structures, a plurality of fasteners, and one or more support legs, each base platform has a plurality of attachment points adapted to receive the support legs and fasteners, the vertical supporting structures and the secondary vertical supporting structures are adapted to be attached to one of the base platforms to function as backrests or armrests, and two or more of the base platforms are adapted to be linked together using the connecting brackets to provide the modular seating apparatus with expandable seating capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Burrow, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan Clabots
  • Patent number: 11426004
    Abstract: Modular seat assembly having a female connector that is positioned and configured to releasably connect to a corresponding male stud connector on an adjacent seat module. Each female connector includes a plate comprising a raised portion defining an upper opening leading to a downwardly angled channel extending at about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees from a vertical axis into a horizontal portion, such that each male stud connector is slidably and releasably connectable to each corresponding female connector, and such that the channel and the horizontal portion have a width that is narrower than a head of the male stud connector, but wider than a neck of the male stud connector; and wherein said male stud connector is configured to be guided downward by said channel and then loosely contained within said horizontal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: COZEY INC.
    Inventors: Frédéric Aubé, Zhijie Gu
  • Patent number: 11330907
    Abstract: A chair with armrest connectors includes a backrest, a seat, a pair of armrests, and a supporting frame configured to move the chair between a folded configuration and a deployed configuration. A pair of connectors are secured within cavities disposed on an upper surface of each armrest. The connectors are configured to move between a deployed position extending outwardly from the cavities and a retracted position within the cavities. When deployed, the connectors are configured to removably secure to a supporting frame of a second chair. This allows for multiple chairs to be secured to each other when in a folded configuration. The chair includes adjustable shoulder straps that allow an individual to easily carry the assembly of attached folded chairs supported against the individual's back. The chair may also include additional fasteners or connection mechanisms for supporting additional items against the front side of the individual for improved weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Frisch
  • Patent number: 11235880
    Abstract: The invention provides a rear side shell structure in the form of a back covering that can be attached to a lower structure of a seat without support legs. One representative rear side shell structure and seat unit according to the invention relates to a rear side shell structure for covering a back of a seat, the rear side shell structure including a front surface member and a rear surface member, wherein a reinforcing region in which a space reinforcing member is provided between the front surface member and the rear surface member is provided in a portion of the rear side shell structure, and the front surface member and the rear surface member are directly joined to each other except for in the reinforcement region. Further, the front surface member and the rear surface member are formed of composite members. Also, the space reinforcing member has a honeycomb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: JAMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaji Ozaki, Michihito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11202507
    Abstract: A connecting assembly for a sofa includes a first connecting piece fixing on a first component of the sofa, a second connecting piece fixing on a second component of the sofa, and a third connecting piece. The first connecting piece includes a first inserting portion. The second connecting piece includes a second inserting portion. A first end of the third connecting piece is inserting into and connecting with the first inserting portion. A second end of the third connecting piece is inserting into and connecting with the second inserting portion. When the third connecting piece is gradually inserting into the first inserting portion and the second inserting portion, contact pressures between at least portions of the third connecting piece, the first inserting portion and the second inserting portion gradually increases to make the third connecting piece clamping to the first inserting portion and the second inserting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Leping Yi
  • Patent number: 11006760
    Abstract: A seating unit (102, 104) is disclosed as including a seat (106, 110) with a seat back (106a, 110a) and a seat pan (106c, 110c) which are movable relative to each other to convert the seat (106, 110) between a sittable configuration and an un-sittable configuration, and a seat (108) with a seat back (108a) and a seat pan (108c), the angle subtended by the seat back (106a, 110a) and the seat pan (106c, 110c) when the seat (106, 110) is in the sittable configuration being larger than an angle subtended by the seat back (106a, 110a) and the seat pan (106c, 110c) when the seat (106, 110) is in the un-sittable configuration, the seat back (106a, 110a) of the seat (106, 110) and the seat back (108a) of the seat (108) being connected with each other by a web (120, 122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: James Shing Hin Lee
  • Patent number: 10912383
    Abstract: A piece of seating furniture having a base framework and having a seat surface fastened to the base framework, wherein the base framework has a plurality of legs, on the underside of each of which there is fastened an adjusting slider, characterized in that at least two of the adjusting sliders are of two-part design, each having a holding magnet arranged on a leg of the base framework and each having an adjusting slider cup which can be fixed to a floor, with a cup receptacle of a ferromagnetic material as an adhesive base, wherein the cup receptacle and the holding magnet can be placed one inside the other in a shape-adapted manner, for which purpose the holding magnet is fastened to the respective leg in an angularly movable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Kusch + Co. GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Kusch
  • Patent number: 10881212
    Abstract: A linking system for folding chairs and a method for linking folding chairs in rows. The linking system includes a first linking member having two spaced-apart, u-shaped first recesses on a first side thereof and a slit on each end thereof, wherein each slit is parallel to an axis defined by the u-shaped recesses; a second linking member having two spaced-apart, u-shaped second recesses on a second side thereof and two spaced-apart, u-shaped third recesses on a third side thereof, wherein the u-shaped third recesses are spaced further apart than the second recesses and the third side is orthogonal to the second side; and a third linking member having two spaced-apart, u-shaped fourth recesses on a fourth side thereof. The first, second and third linking members are configured to snappingly engage tubular members of adjacent folding chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Zhuhai Shichang Metals Ltd.
    Inventor: Jingbo Liu
  • Patent number: 10850848
    Abstract: A forward concave trapezoidal seating system and methods are presented. Trapezoidal seats comprise a front side smaller than a rear side. The trapezoidal seats are aligned in a forward arc from a straight seat to a most-angled seat. A straight side of the straight seat is configured to substantially align with a center line of an aircraft fuselage. A most-angled side of the most-angled seat is angled inboard relative to the straight side, and the most-angled seat is outboard of the straight seat. A side unit is coupled to the most-angled side and supports the trapezoidal seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lowell Bruce Campbell, Gregory J. Oakes
  • Patent number: 10683094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat (1) for an aircraft passenger comprising a back part (2) and a sitting part (3), said seat (1) being turned in a first direction so that when a passenger is sitting in said seat (1) he is turned in said first direction, said seat (1) being configured so as to perform a recline movement along a respective recline axis (A) between a sitting position and a recline position, and vice versa, said seat (1) being characterized in that it is configured in such a manner that the back part (2) and the sitting part (3) are apt to perform a translation movement along a translation axis (B), wherein said translation axis (B) is not parallel to said recline axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: OPTIMARES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Braca, Alessio Morsicani, Andrea Giordano
  • Patent number: 10548400
    Abstract: A bench (100) includes an upper member (101), a first leg member (103), and a second leg member (102). The first leg member and the second leg member can be selectively attachable to the upper member. The upper member includes a substantially planar portion (104), a first side end portion (105), and a second side end portion (106). The substantially planar portion can define a seat (113) for a user, where the seat defines a seat width (116) and a seat length (117). The first leg member and the second leg member can define a leg member length (120) that is coextensive with seat length and the lengths of the side end portions. The leg members can include an adjustment mechanism (203) to selectively alter a height (207) of the one or both of the first leg member or the second leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Paterson, Matt Costello, Kristian Trendafilov, Luke Westra
  • Patent number: 10232750
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle is equipped with a seat frame comprising general steel pipes, cushioning bodies suspended by the seat frame, and a skin covering the cushioning bodies. The seat frame has on an outer side a frame member in which a side portion provided vertically and an upper portion provided horizontally on an upper side are bent into L-shape at a corner portion, and the corner portion is provided with a lock member to be locked to a vehicle body of said vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Hamano, Kunihiko Matano
  • Patent number: 10213020
    Abstract: A modular assembly for a row of seating units is provided. Each seating unit has a pair of mechanisms operable to move between a closed position and a reclined position. Each mechanism includes first and second roller track that are oriented at opposite angles to one another. A seat mounting plate is moveably coupled to, and constrained by, a linkage coupling the seat mounting plate to the first and second roller tracks so that the seat mounting plate is moveable from a generally horizontal orientation in the closed position, to an inclined orientation in the reclined position, with the incline from back end of the seating unit to the front end of the seating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Mark Lawson
  • Patent number: 10188211
    Abstract: A modular seating system includes a plurality of side frames, seat back assemblies and seat bottom assemblies. Each of the side frames includes a base member configured to support the side frame on an underlying surface and an arm member extending upwardly from the base member. Each of the seat back assemblies and seat bottom assemblies are releasably connected between an adjacent pair of side frames. In use, the plurality of side frames are placed, freestanding, on an underlying surface. The plurality of seat back assemblies and seat bottom assemblies are then releasably connected therebetween to form a plurality of seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOTALLY MOD EVENTS, LLC
    Inventor: William L. Whidden
  • Patent number: 10154733
    Abstract: A modular furniture assembly includes: a base member having a frame assembly, a transverse member having a frame assembly, a foot configured to contact a support surface, and a mounting platform having a plurality of apertures therethrough. The mounting platform is configured to be mounted on the base member frame assembly and the transverse member frame assembly, thereby connecting the frame assemblies. The foot is selectively mounted on the mounting platform, such that the foot is configured to contact the support surface when the modular furniture assembly is in an upright configuration. The mounting platform connects the base and transverse member frame assemblies together and also acts as a platform for receiving a variety of different types of feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: THE LOVESAC COMPANY
    Inventors: Shawn D. Nelson, David M. Underwood, Spencer Pearson
  • Patent number: 10035433
    Abstract: A frameless transit seat is used for carrying passengers in a transit vehicle. The transit seat is comprised of at least two pedestals which connect the seating portion to the vehicle floor and which distribute the weight of the seat and its passenger(s). Under the passenger, at least two side supports are affixed on top of the pedestals, and one or more crossbars or stabilizers, without any rack frame structures connecting the pedestals. A variant of the transit seat has two seats and uses a mounting plate to connect the two inner side supports to a central pedestal. The components of the transit seat include hollow beams, bent sheet metal, and other components optimized to decrease mass while retaining maximum strength. Optionally, the seat may recline and be upholstered in a variety of covering options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Freedman Seating Company
    Inventors: Vitaliy Viktorovich Muraiti, Paul I. Vidri, David Alan Klopp, Vladislav Balef
  • Patent number: 10021986
    Abstract: A fixing device includes an encircling element having left and right lateral sides and an intermediate portion that is formed with a notch and that is bent to form two limiting apartments at two sides of the notch, each limiting apartment having left and right walls extending integrally and transversely from a longitudinal axis of the encircling element and a middle wall interconnecting the walls that define an opening accessible only from a direction that is the same direction, each of the left and right lateral sides is formed with a retainer stub; a sluice gate having two notches disposed on the retainer stubs for denying access into the apartments; and a locking member extending through a through hole in the sluice gate and the notch in the encircling element for preventing untimely disengagement of the sluice gate from the encircling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SPEC SEATS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Mei Chuen Lin
  • Patent number: 10021981
    Abstract: A molded tray and ganging device for attachment to a seat of a chair and a chair containing the molded tray and ganging device. The molded tray and ganging device includes a molded structure having an top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second raised sides attached to the bottom surface. One or more ganging rod capture structures are integrally molded into the molded structure and extend upwardly from the top surface of the molded structure. A U-shaped ganging rod is slidably attached to each of the one or more ganging rod capture structures. Each U-shaped ganging rod has a ganging engagement portion that extends outwardly from one of the raised sides of the molded structure and L-shaped ends distal from the ganging engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Zhuhai Shichang Metals Ltd.
    Inventor: Qiao Zheng
  • Patent number: 9975461
    Abstract: An arrangement of components, in particular for a vehicle seat, includes a first component and a second component which are interconnected by a connector. The connector includes a nail-shaped pin that has a grooved drive stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Werner, Bernd Gross, Andreas Dannheisig
  • Patent number: 9826832
    Abstract: A fixing device includes an encircle element having lateral sides and left and right flap portions located inwardly of the lateral sides and extending transversely and outwardly from the lateral sides to define left and right chambers which are accessible only from the same direction, each of the left and right lateral sides being formed with a through hole; a fixing element installed on the encircle element at one of the through holes; and a locking plate having a first end fastened movably to the encircle element via a fastener such that the locking plate is movable relative to the encircle element between a locked position, where a second end of the locking plate engages the fixing elements, thereby preventing access into the chambers, and an unlocked position, where the locking plate disengages the fixing elements, thereby permitting access into the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SPEC SEATS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Mei Chuen Lin
  • Patent number: 9828101
    Abstract: An armrest structure and an aircraft seat assembly thereof are disclosed. The armrest structure includes an armrest body and two support plates. The armrest body is disposed between two aircraft seats. The shape of the support plates correspond to the armrest body and the support plates are disposed at two sides of the armrest body respectively. Each of the support plates has a first position and a second position. The support plates combine with the armrest body to form an armrest when the support plates are at the first position. The support plates and the armrest body are vertical to each other so that a hand of the passenger can rest on the support plates when the support plates are in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Aircom Pacific Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Shih
  • Patent number: 9820575
    Abstract: A rotation adjustment system for seats includes a first viewing chair and a second viewing chair. The first viewing chair includes a first seat part and a first backrest part which is stood from the first seat part to maintain the seating function of the first seat part, and is laid down toward the first seat part to disable the seating function of the first seat part. The second viewing chair includes a second seat part and a second backrest part which is stood from the second seat part to maintain the seating function of the second seat part, and is laid down toward the second seat part to disable the seating function of the second seat part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNITECH SYSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shin Sang Ham
  • Patent number: 9730521
    Abstract: A bench top for a bench seat includes mounting elements for coupling to sides of bench seat members and a seat unit. The seat unit includes: a seating top; front and back members extending generally away from the seating top; ribs extending inwardly from the front and back members that, together with a front lip and a back lip, provide front and back pockets for receiving respective mounting elements therein; and joining elements at opposing sides of the seat unit for cooperating with joining elements of adjacent units. The seat unit is resilient to move the front and back lips away from each other for installation over the mounting elements and to return to a less flexed state as the front and back lips move toward each other when the mounting elements are received in the front and back pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CASCADIA SPORT SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Murdo Paterson, Mal Paterson, Shawn Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9282823
    Abstract: A linking mechanism includes a convex linking member and a concave linking member, which are provided to each of the chairs aligned in a left and right direction. Each of the linking members is engaged with each other so that linkage of the neighboring chairs is realized. The convex linking member includes a convex-side mounting portion, an extending portion, a notch portion, and an engaging piece. The concave linking member includes a concave-side mounting portion, an engaging projection, and a pair of engaging wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Aichi Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taku Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 9261123
    Abstract: A furniture connector includes a substantially planar first tab extending from a substantially planar base. The substantially planar base includes a furniture attachment portion attached to a furniture component. A tab-receiving first aperture is sized to receive a second tab of an other furniture connector while the first tab is received in a tab-receiving second aperture of the other furniture connector, and while the second tab extends in a same direction as the first tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Best Chairs Incorporated
    Inventor: Glenn A. Lange
  • Patent number: 9226592
    Abstract: A fixing device includes an encircle element having lateral sides and two flap portions extending outwardly from the lateral sides and formed with a through hole; a positioning element fixed securely to the encircle element and having lateral sides extending parallel to the lateral sides of the encircle element so as to define restriction chambers, wherein one lateral side of the positioning element has a longitudinal length greater than the lateral sides of the encircle element and is formed with an upward notch; and a locking plate having a first end connected pivotally to the through hole in the encircle element and a second end formed with a downward notch such that the locking plate is pivotable relative to the encircle element between an unlocked position, in which the notches disengage relative to each other and a locking position, in which the notches engages relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SPEC SEATS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Mei Chuen Lin
  • Patent number: 9126617
    Abstract: A chair including a fold down seat which is closed against the side or rear of a stroller or wheelchair for transit or storage, but which is deployable to rotate outwardly therefrom for sitting upon when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: Philip D. Moody
  • Patent number: 9113717
    Abstract: A seating attachment for a vehicle trailer hitch features two metal bars, the main shaft and the cross member, each with a square cross section and capable of fitting into a standard vehicle trailer hitch mount. The main shaft and cross member are welded together in a “T” configuration. At the ends of the cross member, two seats mounted; the seats may optionally be positioned to face directly backward or be angled inward to face one another. Swivel-mounted seats are also contemplated. Additional mounting points are provided for a table top, an umbrella, beverage coolers, or other equipment. The height of the seats may be raised or lowered relative to the trailer hitch height by an angle piece in order to reach a comfortable sitting level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Randal Gene Edwards
  • Publication number: 20150130236
    Abstract: A chair has a frame with legs, a seat hoop carried by the legs, and a backrest extending above the seat hoop. A seat is carried by the seat hoop of the frame, and has a seat base with a cushion. A perimeter lip circumscribes the seat base and rests over the seat hoop. The seat base has a flexible and resilient corrugated interior capable of deflecting under weight and returning when the weight is removed. An annular bottom projection projects from the seat base between the perimeter lip and the corrugated interior and into the seat hoop, and has an annular bottom surface substantially flush with the lower surface of the seat hoop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: MITY-LITE, INC.
    Inventor: Grant Rogers
  • Patent number: 8979206
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a seat back frame of a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat has a seat back main body configured to support the back of an occupant and an extension portion extending from a side of the seat back main body. The seat back frame has a main body frame, an extension frame, and a connection member. The main body frame may form a framework of the seat back main body and may be mounted on a base. The extension frame may form a framework of the extension portion. The connection member connects the extension frame to a side of the main body frame. The connection member has a rear support portion and a front support portion. The rear support portion contacts the main body frame and the extension frame from the rear so that the rear support portion integrally couples the main body frame and the extension frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 8974002
    Abstract: Tubular bodies for use in frames for seats of vehicles such as aircraft are described. A tube can include a sidewall that has a variable thickness along the length of the tube. The variable thickness of the sidewalls can result in the tube having a variable inner diameter along the length of the tube. The tube may also include a variable outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: C&D Zodiac, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Tien Le, Aram Aris Krikorian
  • Patent number: 8955909
    Abstract: A vehicle has a seat on which a passenger sits, wherein the seat is bench-shaped and has a sitting portion, a backrest portion, and a supporting portion which supports the sitting portion and the backrest portion, wherein at least one of the sitting portion and the backrest portion is detachable from the supporting portion, wherein when the sitting portion is detachable, the sitting portion has a plurality of sitting regions which are arranged side by side in the right-left direction and have different thicknesses in the up-down direction, and wherein when the backrest portion is detachable, the backrest portion has a plurality of backrest regions which are arranged side by side in the right-left direction and have different thicknesses in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hisada, Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8944379
    Abstract: A passenger seating arrangement for an aircraft cabin that includes first and second adjacent columns of at least two seats that define a first longitudinally extending center axis that extends approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft cabin. The seats in the first column face away from and form an angle with the first axis of between about 1° and about 44°, and the seats in the second column face away from and form an angle with the first axis of between about 1° and about 44°. Each seat in the first column is staggered fore of a seat in the second column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zodiac Seat Shells US LLC
    Inventors: Ben Orson, Zhao Jin
  • Patent number: 8931846
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG
    Inventor: Harald Merensky
  • Patent number: 8919854
    Abstract: A bench for a vehicle is provided, which bench comprises at least two seats that are arranged next to one another and are connected to one another. Provision is made for one of the at least two seats to act as a base seat that has at least one locking unit for the purpose of connection to a vehicle floor of a vehicle body, while the at least one other seat hovers above a vehicle floor since the other seat is reversibly connected solely to the base seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Sitech Sitztechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Breyvogel, Hans Rohlfing, Tobias Woynowski, Ole Stollreiter, Robert Sulowski, Jaroslaw Szydlo
  • Patent number: 8911016
    Abstract: A seat structure is configured to allow three passengers to be seated, respectively, in a left seat (1L), a right seat (1R), and a region striding across a boundary between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). The left seat (1L) can be slid leftward to create a walk-through space (S) between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). A headrest (1c) for a middle seat passenger seated between the right and left seats (1R, 1L) is split into right and left split headrests each supported on a top of a seat back of a corresponding seat. The middle seat passenger's left split headrest (1c-L) is moved with the left seat (1L) when sliding the left seat (1L) to allow the right and left seats (1R, 1L) to become spaced apart from each other so as to unblock the walk-through space (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20140361588
    Abstract: A chair having an integrally molded chair back and seat that move together upon reclining movement of a user. The seat includes a series of glides that travel along a glide track mounted to a fixed support frame. A bias spring, connects the support frame to the seat and chair back to urge the seat and chair back into an upright position. The chair includes a pair of ganging arms that are movable between a storage position and an operative position. In the storage position, the ganging arms are concealed within a bottom cover. When in the extended, operative position, the ganging arms allow multiple chairs to be ganged together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Francisco Romero
  • Patent number: 8905475
    Abstract: A modular seat assembly for installation into one of at least two vehicles differing in body style includes a seat frame including a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The seat assembly also includes a coupling device that operably couples the seat frame to the vehicle. The coupling device is attached to the seat frame in one of the first and second attachment areas. The one of the first and second attachment areas is chosen for attachment of the coupling device according to the body style of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Schenten, Sumit Mathur, D. Scott Bittinger, Nicol Margot Albanese
  • Patent number: 8894147
    Abstract: A plurality of seating assemblies 9, 10, 7 which may be operatively deployed upon a selectively movable assembly 12 and which includes independently formed and ribbed members what make the deployed seat assemblies light weight and durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: John Micheli
  • Patent number: 8840182
    Abstract: A seat structure has a right seat (1R) and a left seat (1L) configured to allow three passengers to be seated, respectively, in the left seat (1L), the right seat (1R), and a region striding across a boundary between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). The left seat (1L) can be slid leftward (L) to allow the right and left seats (1R, 1L) to become spaced apart to create a walk-through space (S) therebetween. A headrest (1c) for a middle seat passenger seated in the region striding the boundary between the right and left seats (1R, 1L) is supported on a top of a seat back of the left seat (1L). The middle seat passenger's headrest (1c) can be slid leftward to unblock the walk-through space (S) when the right and left seats (1R, 1L) are in spaced-apart relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Onji
  • Patent number: 8840183
    Abstract: A motor vehicle rear seat has two units, which are set side by side along a horizontal axis, are each provided with a respective squab and a respective backrest and are arranged on opposite sides of a support device having a lower base designed to be fastened to a floorpan of the motor vehicle; the device has a body that supports the two units and has a position that can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction and in height with respect to the lower base; a fixing device is provided to block this body in the desired position with respect to the lower base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Genta
  • Patent number: 8833853
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle constructed so that a side seat is provided on an opposite side of a center seat may include a first hinge shaft to which a center seat back of the center seat may be rotatably coupled for folding the center seat back forwards, a second hinge shaft to which a side seat back of the side seat may be rotatably coupled for folding the side seat back forwards, and a folding actuator assembly selectively engaging the side seat back with the center seat back, wherein the folding actuator assembly locks the center seat back to the side seat back when the side seat back may be folded, and releases the center seat back from the side seat back to fold only the center seat back when the center seat back may be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Bong Ku Kim, Sang Ho Kim, Chan Ho Jeong, Sang Do Park, Hak Gyun Kim, Deok Soo Lim, Ji Hyun Kim, Tae Hoon Lee, Soo Hyun Moon, Jun Yeol Heo, Jong Kweon Pyun
  • Publication number: 20140225404
    Abstract: A seating system for improved user comfort and convenience while maximizing auditorium floor space utilization. The seating system is composed of two modular components: (1) a reclining theater seat assembly and (2) a comfort divider. The reclining theater seat assembly is comprised of a seating surface, a reclining back, armrests and a support base. The comfort divider is comprised of foot rest assemblies and recliner backstop assemblies arranged in an alternating fashion. The comfort divider is placed between each row of theater seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Enrique Ramirez Magaña
  • Patent number: 8801095
    Abstract: A chair including a fold down seat which is closed against the side or rear of a stroller or wheelchair for transit or storage, but which is deployable to rotate outwardly therefrom for sitting upon when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Philip D Moody
  • Patent number: 8764107
    Abstract: The invention relates to seating furniture comprising two frames (2) arranged at a distance to each other on a support (1), between which frames a seat part (3) and a backrest part (4) can be mounted, and the frames (2) have one upper frame part (6) and a lower frame part (7) each which mechanically immobilize the seat part (3) and the backrest part (4) on the edges thereof. The support (1) contains a horizontal bar (11), extending between two legs (5), on which the frames (2) can be mounted as a terminal frame or intermediate frame via respective frame bases (12). The bar (11) comprises a linking piece (13) which is put on a detachable, form-fitting pin connection (14) together with the frame base (12) of a terminal frame and a leg (5) in a certain order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kusch + Co. GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Kusch, Robert De Le Roi, Karl-Heinz Seipp
  • Patent number: 8764114
    Abstract: A sectional sofa and method of assembly provides ease and convenience in the manufacture and use. The sectional sofa includes a central section having a seat and a pair of backs positioned approximately ninety degrees to each other forming a V-shaped opening therebetween. Affixed on each side of the central section is a side section which includes a back frame that can be easily inserted or removed into a seat frame as needed. End sections having a back frame, seat frame and an arm frame are affixed to each side section. Each back includes a pair of stakes which are slideably engaged within rectangular apertures in the seat frame for ease in manufacturing and stability in use. Additional standard bolts connect each section together for safety and convenience. The central section V-shaped opening allows for simplicity during construction and adds to the aesthetic qualities of the sofa design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Simplicity Sofas, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Frank, Glenn Laughlin
  • Publication number: 20140175848
    Abstract: The invention enables distribution of a series of chairs in row alignment, preventing undesired shifting and movement thereof, being especially intended for chairs having a bottom frame disposed underneath the seat, said frame having at least one tubular profile whereupon the seat rests; said device standing out for comprising a female part and a male part associated to the tubular profile of the chair, destined for being solidarily connected to other male and female parts, respectively, of chairs disposed in adjacent lateral positions, and where the female and male parts comprise pivoting means which allow extraction and retraction of these in a fast and simple manner, depending on whether or not arrangement of chairs in row alignment is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Alberto Lievore Motta