Coupled Side-by-side Patents (Class 297/248)
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Patent number: 7938485Abstract: A variable displacement seating assembly incorporates at least first and second pivotable seat frames. The first seat frame includes a male seat connector. The second seat frame is arranged adjacent the first seat frame, and includes a female seat connector receiving the male seat connector of the first seat frame. The first and second seat frames are operatively interconnected for simultaneous pivoting movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position of the first and second seat frames, the male and female seat connectors are disposed for sliding vertical movement of one seat connector relative to the other, such that the first and second seat frames are independently vertically displaceable upon an impact force acting against the seat assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Armorworks Enterprises, LLCInventors: William Joseph Perciballi, Richard F. Langner, Joshua Kevin Platt, Sean Joseph Murphy
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Publication number: 20110084526Abstract: A chair includes four legs for placing on a ground surface and a seat mounted on the legs at a predetermined height relative to the ground surface, wherein space is left clear between the seat and the legs on at least one side of the seat for the purpose of receiving the legs of an adjacent chair, this space being bounded by frame parts for close fitting round legs of an adjacent chair, and a backrest arranged above the level of the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2007Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventor: Laurens Sneujink
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Patent number: 7918504Abstract: A seating arrangement for a passenger-carrying vehicle, especially aircraft. The arrangement provides a plurality of seating positions (P1, P2, P3), a seating position comprising a seat (20) and a footwell (22). The footwell (22) of a first seating position (P2, P3) is located beside the seat of a second seating position, the second seating position being located generally forward of the first seating position (P2, P3). Each seat is operable into a reclined state in which a leg-supporting component (30) of the seat projects into the associated footwell (22). The first seating position (P2, P3) and the second seating position (P1) overlap in a transverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: J. Thompson Solutions LimitedInventor: James Thompson
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Patent number: 7905546Abstract: A foldable seat for a bleacher seating arrangement includes a seat or seat structure fixedly disposed at a deck portion and a back portion or backrest pivotally disposed at a rear portion of the seat portion. The back portion is pivotable between an upright position, where a person may sit at the seat structure and may lean back against the back portion, and a folded down position, where the back portion may lay generally on top of or at least partially over the seat structure. The back portion may be pivotally mounted to a mounting frame or element fixedly secured 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 backrests or back portions are in their folded down position.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Irwin Seating CompanyInventor: Larry R. Conner
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Patent number: 7901004Abstract: The invention relates to a movable installation comprising rows of seats. The inventive installation is formed by guides (1) which are housed in the ground and on which the rows of seats (2) are slidably mounted such that they can slide between a position in which they are grouped together and a position in which they are spaced apart. The aforementioned guides (1) define (i) upper extensions which provide a ground leveling reference during the assembly of the installation and (ii) a housing for the insertion of cover plates (10) which are level with the ground.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Figueras International Seating, S.A.Inventor: Jose Figueras Mitjans
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Patent number: 7883149Abstract: Apparatus for multiple person vehicle seats, specialized car seats, modular car seat systems, dual person car seats, and overlapping car seats, for use in a land, sea or air vehicle, mounted onto the vehicle's built-in seat and used for securing a car seat user, such as a small child, within a vehicle's regular seating positions. Car seat systems include components enabling addition or removal of seating positions for a desired number of car seat users as needed, limited only by available width space of the vehicle seat onto which it is mounted. Car seat systems and/or multiple person car seats generally provide more and/or specialized seating positions for persons in car seats than provided for regular passengers in the vehicle width space taken up by the car seat systems or the multiple person car seat.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Inventors: Isaac Weiss, Simcha Engel, Louis Herzberg
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Patent number: 7845725Abstract: An apparatus for use in accommodating public seating needs is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least a pair of parallel backbone members, a support leg in sliding engagement with the pair of parallel backbone members, a combination seating surface and backrest portion in sliding engagement with the pair of parallel backbone members, and adjacent the support leg, and an end cap secured to the pair of parallel backbone members, and restricting lateral motion of the support leg and the combination seating surface and backrest portion along the pair of parallel backbone members. Preferably the apparatus further accommodates lateral motion of the support leg and the combination seating surface and backrest portion along the pair of parallel backbone members, upon removal of the end cap from the pair of parallel backbone members.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: RKS Design, Inc.Inventor: Ravi K. Sawhney
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Patent number: 7841659Abstract: A seating arrangement for a vehicle, especially an aircraft, in which seats are arranged in a plurality of generally parallel ranks, each rank extending in a fore-and-aft direction, and in a plurality of rows, each row extending at an angle other than a right angle with respect to said fore-and-aft direction and wherein adjacent seats in a row overlap in a transverse direction. In the preferred embodiment, the seats of a row also overlap in said fore-and-aft direction and include a truncated armrest at one side of the seat arranged to fit behind an adjacent seat. The seats further include an armrest at the other side of the seat, the armrest comprising a bar which extends from the rear of the seat so that a portion of one seat is located beneath the armrest provided at said other side of an adjacent seat.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: J. Thompson Solutions LimitedInventor: James Thompson
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Patent number: 7828380Abstract: A pew style seating assembly includes a plurality of seat members, each of which is pivotable, independently from all others of the plurality of seat members, between an occupied position and an unoccupied position. Each seat member, when in the occupied position, defines a seating area above a top surface thereof, with the seating areas defined by the plurality of seat members defining a continuous and uninterrupted pew seating area spanning the plurality of seat members. The seating assembly further includes a single, continuous seat back attached to each of the seat support members and spanning the entire pew seating area, such that the plurality of seat members are associated with the single, continuous seat back.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Series International, LLCInventor: Alvaro Mauricio Olarte
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Patent number: 7823950Abstract: There is provided a seat device for a vehicle comprising a pair of main seats disposed in the vehicle width direction including respectively a main seat cushion and main seat back, and a sub seat back disposed between the main seat backs, wherein the sub seat back is configured so as to be in an arranged position in which the sub seat back is located above the main seat cushion and before the main seat back, and the main seat backs are configured so as to be moved inward when the sub seat back is in the arranged position. Accordingly, the width of the seat can be adjusted variably, without improperly affecting spaces behind or before the seat, thereby attaining both the movement of seat and the improvement of space utility.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Minoru Toyota, Akira Ito, Kazue Sumida
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Patent number: 7814636Abstract: This invention relates specifically to a seating system or assembly which utilizes a modularized system of standard sized components. The system reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies storage and shipping and improves assembly efficiencies. The system of modularized components allows flexibility in seating use and design.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Series International, LLCInventor: Alvaro Mauricio Olarte
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Patent number: 7810882Abstract: A connectable chair has a frame for supporting a seat and a back support. The frame including a pair of spaced apart leg members. A female ganging device and a corresponding male ganging device both have a mounting portion and an engagement portion. The engagement portion interconnects like chairs in a side-by-side relationship. The mounting portion secures the female and male ganging device to opposite sides of the frame. The female ganging further includes a receiving slot extending across the engagement portion. The male ganging device further includes an elongated flange extending across the engagement portion. The flange of the male ganging device may be received by the receiving slot of the female ganging device of a like chair thereby providing for the interconnection of a plurality of connectable chairs in a side-by-side relationship.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Inventors: Kerstin Bartlmae, Brian E. Williams
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Publication number: 20100252680Abstract: A seating arrangement for location at the longitudinal centre line of a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally extending passenger seating area. The seating arrangement includes a pair of seats disposed alongside and secured to each other. Each seat comprising a backrest portion, and a seat pan portion, wherein the seats face at an acute angle to each other, and wherein the backrest portions of the respective seats are nearest the vertex of the acute angle than the seat pan portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventor: Glen Wilson Porter
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Patent number: 7806474Abstract: A connecting arrangement for articles of furniture, such as seating furniture and/or tables of the type used in an office environment. A pair of articles of furniture are positioned adjacent to one another, each including a downwardly-opening channel along a lower portion of its side. An elongate connector spans the distance between the channels and has opposite side portions in respective engagement with the channels to connect the furniture articles together in a manner wherein the connector may be visually hidden in use. If one, or both, of the connected articles of furniture includes upholstered sides, the upholstery is compressed upon abutting engagement of the articles of furniture to generate a separation force which is resisted by the connector and aids in maintaining the connector in secure engagement with the channels of the adjacent articles of furniture.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Wahl, Joshua A. Peter, Joshua R. Butcher
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Publication number: 20100244515Abstract: In the specification and drawings a chair is described and shown with a resiliently flexible frame having a front seat support; a seat slidably engaged to the front seat support; and a back rotatably engaged to the frame, the back being rotatably engaged to the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventor: Dragomir Ivicevic
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Patent number: 7794015Abstract: A multi-passenger vehicle child seat assembly for permitting an adult passenger to comfortably sit with first and second infant passengers in a rear seat of an existing vehicle preferably includes a mechanism for removably interlocking the first and second vehicle child seats together by displacing the medial edges along a first linear travel path until directly engaging each other. The assembly may also include a mechanism for absorbing impact forces exerted against the first and second vehicle child seats by resiliently oscillating the medial edges along a second linear travel path.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Inventor: Kenny Ashby
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Patent number: 7784867Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle, such as a school bus, accommodates two or three passengers, depending on the size and stature of the passengers. The seat assembly is equipped with three seatbelts and five buckles spaced along a seatback. When three passengers are utilizing the seat assembly, each of the three seatbelts and three of the buckles are utilized. When two passengers are utilizing the seat assembly, two of the seatbelts and the remaining two buckles are utilized. The seatbelts and buckles are visually coded and/or keyed to prevent improper use. When the buckles are not being utilized, they are housed in cavities formed in the seatback to avoid interference with the passengers.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions, LLCInventor: Ronald C. Lamparter
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Patent number: 7770966Abstract: A passenger seat assembly and method for converting the seat assembly between a three-seat configuration and a two-seat configuration includes a seat assembly base and first, second, and third seats mounted on the seat assembly base. The first and third seats define outboard seats and the second seat defines an inboard seat disposed between the outboard seats. The seat back of the inboard seat includes an upper portion movably mounted to the lower portion. The seat bottom is removable and repositionable between the three-seat configuration and the two-seat configuration to form a convenience area between the outboard seats. A power console movably mounted on the seat assembly base supports the seat bottom of the inboard seat and provides at least one power outlet for supplying electrical power. In particular, the inboard seat is convertible between a seating configuration and a non-seating configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Glenn A. Johnson
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Patent number: 7770968Abstract: A stacking chair having a seat, a back support, and a frame for supporting the seat and back support. The frame includes a pair of spaced apart leg members, a back support member, and a seat support member. The leg members have a front portion and rear portion interconnected by a connecting portion to give the leg members a generally U or V shape. The chair further includes a stacking member disposed on each leg member. The stacking member shaped to receive the upper surface of a leg member of a like chair such that the stacking member rests on the connection portion of a like chair and the upper chair in the stack is positioned forward of the lower chair thereby offsetting the stack's tendency to lean back due to the weight and position of the back support thus providing for the stability of a stack of chairs.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Inventor: Kerstin Bartlmae
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Patent number: 7766425Abstract: A rear seat assembly is provided for supporting occupants. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion. A pair of spaced apart outer seat backs is pivotally secured to the seat cushion. A middle seat back is pivotally secured to the seat cushion and disposed between the pair of outer seat backs. Each of the pair of outer seat backs includes a pair of spaced apart bolsters pivotally hinged thereto for movement between a retracted position and a deployed position. Each of the outer seat backs also includes an actuating mechanism operatively connected between the pair of bolsters for moving the pair of bolsters between the retracted and deployed positions as one of the outer and middle seat backs pivots relative to the seat cushion.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey Poniatowski
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Patent number: 7758129Abstract: A pair of seat backs are arranged in a vehicle width direction. A pair of floor brackets attach outer end portions of the seat backs in the vehicle width direction to a floor of the vehicle. A pair of center hinge brackets attach inner end portions of the seat backs in the vehicle width direction to the floor. A pair of connecting portions are provided in the center hinge brackets which are adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction. The seat backs are independently pivotably attached to the floor. The connecting portions are connected with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Yuuki Maruno, Masashi Wada
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Publication number: 20100176634Abstract: A connecting arrangement for articles of furniture, such as seating furniture and/or tables of the type used in an office environment. A pair of articles of furniture are positioned adjacent to one another, each including a downwardly-opening channel along a lower portion of its side. An elongate connector spans the distance between the channels and has opposite side portions in respective engagement with the channels to connect the furniture articles together in a manner wherein the connector may be visually hidden in use. If one, or both, of the connected articles of furniture includes upholstered sides, the upholstery is compressed upon abutting engagement of the articles of furniture to generate a separation force which is resisted by the connector and aids in maintaining the connector in secure engagement with the channels of the adjacent articles of furniture.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Wahl, Joshua A. Peter, Joshua R. Butcher
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Publication number: 20100156156Abstract: A clamping joint for a chair includes a joint coupling a front leg and a rear leg to the seat at an overlap with an inner clamp coupled to the seat and an outer clamp coupled to the inner clamp with the front leg and the rear leg clamped between the inner and outer clamps at the overlap. A finger on one of the inner or outer clamps extends towards the other and disposed between the front and rear legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventor: Richard D. Smith
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Publication number: 20100140996Abstract: For the implementation of an auxiliary seat, which has a material web, which can be unrolled and rolled like a roller blind, made of a tear proof, flexible material, which is fastenable to both vehicle seats between two vehicle seats, which are spaced apart, of a seat row to implement the auxiliary seat, a solution is to be developed, using which the auxiliary seat can be implemented and removed again as needed, requires little storage space, and is to be securely situated in the motor vehicle in its usage position. This is achieved in that the material web is fastened on a roll at each of its opposing longitudinal ends so it can be rolled and both rolls have a fastener on their longitudinal ends, which is fastenable to one of the vehicle seats in each case to implement the auxiliary seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Jens WINTER
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Patent number: 7717510Abstract: The specification discloses a modular transportation seating assembly that includes a support frame and seats mounted on the frame. The frame includes a seat beam and a cantilever beam. The cantilever beam includes a body and a connector inserted into the body and held together by compressive force. The body has an end defining a plurality of receivers, and the connector includes a plurality of lugs each received within one of said receivers. The seat beam includes a body, a tee nut slidably received within the body, a second connector outside the body, and a fastener intersecuring the two connectors to retain them in position along the length of the body. A single fastener intersecures the connectors on the seat beam and the cantilever beam. The seat includes a flange hooked about the back edge of the seat beam and one or more fasteners connecting the seat to the forward edge of the seat beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: American Seating CompanyInventors: Bernard A. Herold, III, David I. Wolf, Douglas L. Fassett, Trevor R. Haney, Douglas G. Oswald, Brady A. Olason, Jeffrey D. Allison, Scott A. MacInnes, Nino Senoadi
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Publication number: 20100109400Abstract: A seating system may comprise a seat base, a seat back, and a width adjustable section. The width adjustable section may be located within the seat base and the seat back. The width adjustable section may be capable of being configured to change a width of the seat base and the seat back.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Heidi J. Kneller, Shawn A. Claflin
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Patent number: 7708349Abstract: An auditorium chair comprised essentially of four parts that interconnect creating a frame with a three point stability system. The auditorium chair structure has the following components: fastening with screws, snap tight buttons, or other fasteners, dimensioning in accordance with use in current auditorium chair sizes, and fabrication design enabling efficient shipment while maintaining stability and stacking capability.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Inventor: Kate Chen
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Patent number: 7690732Abstract: A seat assembly including an assembly frame having at least two seat connection brackets, a seat frame, two or more connectors attached to the seat frame, the two or more connectors removably attached to the two or more seat connection brackets, two or more flexible supports extending across at least a portion of the seat frame, each support including a woven material, and a foam cushion including one or more holes, wherein the seat frame and the two or more flexible supports are molded within the foam cushion, and wherein the one or more connectors extend at least partially within the one or more holes.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Series International, LLCInventor: Alvaro Mauricio Olarte
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Patent number: 7648196Abstract: A collapsible bench and canopy has a seat frame made up of a plurality of crossing pairs of seat tubes pivotally connected to each other supporting a fabric seat. A fabric back rest is supported by back tubes attached to the seat frame and a canopy is supported by the back tubes to provide shelter to occupants of the collapsible bench. The bench and canopy can be collapsed in one piece by pivoting down the canopy and ten moving the crossing pairs of seat tubes so that each pair is substantially aligned.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: 101149612 Saskatchewan Ltd.Inventors: Scott Degelman, Perry Senko
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Patent number: 7607733Abstract: A folding super chair includes a front leg frame, a backrest, a backrest frame and a ganging device. The backrest frame has a contour corresponding to an upper inner portion of the front leg frame and an L-shaped cross section. The backrest frame is disposed between the front leg frame and the backrest. The backrest is placed on the backrest frame, which relieve stress. Thus, a ridge of the backrest does not deform, and the backrest is securely fixed on the folding super chair. The ganging device includes a main member, a slot fastener and a knob fastener. The main member has a front face, a rear face and two side faces. The rear face is larger than the front face, and therefore the two side faces form an included angle therebetween. When the folding super chairs are lined up and connected by the ganging device, the folding super chairs form a curved row.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Inventors: Mei Chuen Lin, Tzu Mei Wang
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Patent number: 7597395Abstract: A seat for a vehicle and more particularly a front seat for a vehicle includes a central pillar extending from the floor to the roof of the vehicle, and a center support extending forwardly from the central pillar. A lower rib extends laterally from the center support and supports a seat bottom fixed thereto. Primary and secondary intermediate ribs also extend laterally from the central pillar. A seat back is fixed to and supported by the primary and secondary intermediate ribs. Also, an upper rib is provided which extends laterally from the central pillar above the intermediate ribs. A headrest is fixed to and supported by the upper rib.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Michael Wiedeman, John A. Frye, Frank D. Moburg, Michael Tsay
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Patent number: 7594701Abstract: Aircrafts troop seating is lightweight and minimizes protruding features on which gear might snag. High strength webbing straps are added to a light weight seat fabric to add strength where strength is required, thus reducing the overall weight. The webbing is of a type used for seatbelts and meets fire regardant requirements. Seat belt style tension adjusters allow adjustment of the seating stretch to improve comfort and crash protection. Internal hardware attachment points are provided to reduce protruding features.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Conax Florida CorporationInventors: Eric Kawabata, Charlie VanDruff, Michael Duran
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Publication number: 20090230740Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2007Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: Thomas Dill, Ingo Teufel, Ulf Schaeffling, Kai Schumann, Heinrich Hammann
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Patent number: 7578551Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly comprises a continuous row of a plurality of seats including a convertible aisle seat at one end of the row and one or more other seats. The seats are moveable between (i) a first configuration in which all of the seats are positioned in a useable position and a second configuration in which (a) the convertible seat is positioned in an unusable position in the row, (b) said one or more other seats are positioned in a useable position, and (c) the row of seats has a length, along the row, that is less than the length of the row in the first configuration for example by a distance of more than half the width of the convertible seat in the first configuration. The width of said one or more other seats may remain unchanged as between the first and second configurations.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Airbus UK LimitedInventor: Luis Gonzalez Liñero
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Publication number: 20090179472Abstract: A cover conceals a portion of a gap formed between an adjacent pair of seat backs of a motor vehicle seat assembly. The cover includes a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion. The flexible portion of the cover has first and second flanges that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the substantially rigid portion for concealing a portion of the gap between the seat backs of the seat assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: George M. Chalhoub, Vikas Bhatia, Michael A. Zielinski, Michael J. Sweers, Hideki Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20090152919Abstract: A ganging device for connecting folding chairs and enlarging a gap between chairs includes a main member, a slot fastener and a knob fastener. A first frame side of the main member includes a fixing element and an engaging protrusion, and a second frame side of the main member includes a frame slot having a neck portion. The slot fastener, which includes an engaging slot having a neck portion, is mounted on a first side of the chair. The knob fastener, which has an engaging knob, is mounted on a second side of the chair. The fixing element and the engaging knob are engaged with the neck portions of the slot fastener and the main member, respectively. The engaging protrusion is fitted into the engaging slot. Therefore, the chairs are connected and a gap between connected chairs is provided to offer comfortable seating.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Mei Chuen LIN, Tzu Mei Wang
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Patent number: 7523989Abstract: A corner unit for an article of sectional furniture. In an exemplary embodiment, the corner unit includes a frame having a plurality of frame members. The frame may include two internal frame members which are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other. The internal frame members provide rigidity and strength to the frame without requiring other angled cuts and connections for the frame. The frame may also include a cover assembly which provides a seat and at least one storage compartment. The frame members may be interconnected by interlocking protrusions and cutout portions, as well as by threaded fasteners received in push-in connector elements which are held in recesses within the frame members.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Home Reserve, Inc.Inventors: Blaine L. Wieland, Byron T. Shank, Wesley S. Anspach, Randolph Brown
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Patent number: 7523993Abstract: A dorsal support for supporting a passenger in a generally upright standing position while travelling in a public transportation vehicle is disclosed. The dorsal support comprises a body having a front surface extending uninterrupted upwardly from a base portion fastened to a floor surface, the front surface of the body including a planar lower portion preventing access behind the dorsal support from in front thereof and an upper portion which is integral with the lower portion and extends upwardly therefrom. The upper portion is rearwardly inclined and defines a passenger receiving area thereon for supporting at least a portion of the passenger's back such as to support the passenger in a generally upright standing position when leaning against the dorsal support.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Nova Bus, Division de Groupe Volvo Canada Inc.Inventors: Louis-Philippe Daneault, Marc-André Boudreau, Steve Beaulieu
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Patent number: 7513567Abstract: A foldable chair with pull rods comprises a front supporter, a back supporter; wherein a width of the front supporter is smaller than that of the back supporter; the back supporter being installed to the front supporter by using two pull rods; a seat pivotally installed to the back supporter and the front supporter; and a back cushion assembled to upper ends of the front supporter. The back supporter has two legs, an upper side of each leg of the back supporter is installed with a first engaging unit, and a second engaging unit, and each engaging unit has a hole for receiving a respective one of the two pull rods. The first engaging unit has a first hook. The second engaging unit has a second hook engageable to the first hook. Each pull rod has a head; and an upper side of the head is a convex cambered area.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Inventor: Tsung-Chieh Huang
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Publication number: 20090072598Abstract: The specification discloses a modular transportation seating assembly that includes a support frame and seats mounted on the frame. The frame includes a seat beam and a cantilever beam. The cantilever beam includes a body and a connector inserted into the body and held together by compressive force. The body has an end defining a plurality of receivers, and the connector includes a plurality of lugs each received within one of said receivers. The seat beam includes a body, a tee nut slidably received within the body, a second connector outside the body, and a fastener intersecuring the two connectors to retain them in position along the length of the body. A single fastener intersecures the connectors on the seat beam and the cantilever beam. The seat includes a flange hooked about the back edge of the seat beam and one or more fasteners connecting the seat to the forward edge of the seat beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: AMERICAN SEATING COMPANYInventors: Bernard A. Herold, III, David I. Wolf, Douglas L. Fassett, Trevor R. Haney, Douglas G. Oswald, Brady A. Olason, Jeffrey D. Allison, Scott A. MacInnes, Nino Senoadi
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Patent number: 7500722Abstract: A seatbelt system enables substantially different sized vehicle occupants (for example an elementary school student and a high school student) to occupy the same seat location having a horizontal base on which the different occupants can sit. First and second 3-point restraining systems, respectively including first and second guides at first and second different fixed heights above the horizontal base, at the seat location enable the different sized occupants to be safely and comfortably restrained at the seat location at different times.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Inventor: Alvan M. Morris
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Publication number: 20090058155Abstract: A connectable chair has a frame for supporting a seat and a back support. The frame including a pair of spaced apart leg members. A female ganging device and a corresponding male ganging device both have a mounting portion and an engagement portion. The engagement portion interconnects like chairs in a side-by-side relationship. The mounting portion secures the female and male ganging device to opposite sides of the frame. The female ganging further includes a receiving slot extending across the engagement portion. The male ganging device further includes an elongated flange extending across the engagement portion. The flange of the male ganging device may be received by the receiving slot of the female ganging device of a like chair thereby providing for the interconnection of a plurality of connectable chairs in a side-by-side relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Kerstin Bartlmae, Brian E. Williams
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Patent number: 7478876Abstract: This invention relates specifically to a seating system or assembly which utilizes a modularized system of standard sized components. The system reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies storage and shipping and improves assembly efficiencies. The system of modularized components allows flexibility in seating use and design.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Series International, LLCInventor: Alvaro Mauricio Olarte
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Patent number: 7472951Abstract: The specification discloses a modular transportation seating assembly that includes a support frame and seats mounted on the frame. The frame includes a seat beam and a cantilever beam. The cantilever beam includes a body and a connector inserted into the body and held together by compressive force. The body has an end defining a plurality of receivers, and the connector includes a plurality of lugs each received within one of said receivers. The seat beam includes a body, a tee nut slidably received within the body, a second connector outside the body, and a fastener intersecuring the two connectors to retain them in position along the length of the body. A single fastener intersecures the connectors on the seat beam and the cantilever beam. The seat includes a flange hooked about the back edge of the seat beam and one or more fasteners connecting the seat to the forward edge of the seat beam.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2008Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: American Seating CompanyInventors: Bernard A. Herold, III, David I. Wolf, Douglas L. Fassett, Trevor R. Haney, Douglas G. Oswald
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Patent number: 7448689Abstract: A furniture member strap system includes a first strap having loop members at a first end and hook members at a second end and a first sewn area positioned between the loop members and the hook members. A second strap has opposed ends overlapping each other creating a looped end. A buckle member has an elongated aperture to receive the looped end. A strap assembly has the second end of the first strap slid through the aperture of the buckle member and the hook members releasably engaged with the loop members. The assembly joins first and second members of a furniture assembly having the first and second straps sewn to the first and second furniture members.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Howard S. Carter, Cynthia D. Rollins, Thomas M. Swafford, Andrew C. Resovsky, Mark D. Bullock
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Patent number: 7434877Abstract: The specification discloses a modular transportation seating assembly that includes a support frame and seats mounted on the frame. The frame includes a seat beam and a cantilever beam. The cantilever beam includes a body and a connector inserted into the body and held together by compressive force. The body has an end defining a plurality of receivers, and the connector includes a plurality of lugs each received within one of said receivers. The seat beam includes a body, a tee nut slidably received within the body, a second connector outside the body, and a fastener intersecuring the two connectors to retain them in position along the length of the body. A single fastener intersecures the connectors on the seat beam and the cantilever beam. The seat includes a flange hooked about the back edge of the seat beam and one or more fasteners connecting the seat to the forward edge of the seat beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: American Seating CompanyInventors: Bernard A. Herold, III, David I. Wolf, Douglas L. Fassett, Trevor R. Haney, Douglas G. Oswald, Brady A. Olason, Jeffrey D. Allison, Scott A. MacInnes, Nino Senoadi
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Publication number: 20080224511Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular a rear seat bench for a motor vehicle, has a seat part and a backrest which is provided with displaceable side cushions. Their position can be changed as a function of the position of the backrest. According to the invention, at least the backrest is arranged in the vehicle in a manner such that it can be displaced in or counter to the direction of travel, wherein the position of the side cushions located on the outside of the backrest can be forcibly changed as a function of the sliding position of the backrest.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2006Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Guido Herkenrath, Jorg Haubrich, Marcus Thies
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Publication number: 20080224510Abstract: A novel orientation for a plurality of transport seats within a vehicle, generally consisting of a first seat facing in a first direction, and a second seat facing an opposing direction such that the lateral width of the combined seats is substantially less than in prior art examples. Specific seats and reclining orientations are also disclosed including seats having a unitary structure. A visual barrier is also disclosed, substantially disposed between the first and the second seat to provide a visual barrier between a user in a first seat and a user in a second seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2006Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Christopher Hankinson, Ian Hamilton Dryburgh
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Publication number: 20080203792Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a central support element, fixed essentially vertically in a vehicle cabin to which the seats are fitted. The seat assembly includes connector bodies arranged at one end of the support element for fixing to a part of the cabin, the connector bodies permitting a displacement of the assembly along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2006Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: KUKA SCHWEISSANLAGEN GMBHInventors: Jerome Makala, Dominique Cabrie
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Patent number: 7407226Abstract: A car seat for several children and to sit on top of a regular car seat has leg assemblies arranged to absorb energy and reduce pitching in the event of a car crash.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Inventor: Kevin Scott Macliver