Secured By Bottom-back Crevice Patents (Class 297/253)
  • Patent number: 11760239
    Abstract: A ISOFIX guide element, having a base section, a rear side section, and two side sections connected to the base, an insertion opening, which is delimited by respective inner sides of the base section and the two side sections, a bracket opening formed between the base section and the rear side section which has notches formed in the side sections in such a way that a bracket-like fixing element can be accommodated in the notches, and that the fixing element is accessible through the insertion opening. It is provided here that at least one fastening element protruding from the base section is arranged on an outer side of the base section, wherein the fastening element has at least one oblong-hole-type fastening opening, which is connectable to a tab of a seat cushion or a seat cover of a vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Michael Daniel Weber, Jürgen Beckett
  • Patent number: 11667220
    Abstract: A seat capable of suppressing wrinkles around an opening of a curved-surface-portion of a skin. The seat comprises: a skin in which a curved opening is formed in the curved-surface-portion; an elastically deformable plate-shaped reinforcing-member that reinforces a peripheral portion of the opening, the reinforcing-member being disposed in a curved state along an inner surface of the curved-surface-portion; and a pressing-member that covers the peripheral portion of the opening in a state where the pressing-member presses the peripheral portion of the opening from an outer surface of the curved-surface-portion. The reinforcing-member has a main-body-portion overlapping with the pressing-ember, and extending-portions respectively extending from side edges of the main-body-portion to a range not overlapping with the pressing-member. A slit is formed in each of the extending-portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Onji, Masanao Matsuura, Mizuki Kato
  • Patent number: 11660988
    Abstract: A support base for a child safety seat includes a shell, a belt clamp and a latching mechanism. The shell is adapted to receive a child seat thereon, and has a panel at an end thereof and a belt anchoring region adjacent to the panel, the belt anchoring region including a first and a second surface, the second surface being supported by the panel and connected with the first surface. The belt clamp is pivotally connected with the shell, and is operable to clamp a first and a second belt portion respectively adjacent to the first and second surface. The latching mechanism is operable to lock the belt clamp in a clamping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Robert Scott Anderson, Curtis M. Hartenstine, Patrick J. G. Bowers
  • Patent number: 11560075
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ISOFIX interface structure of a vehicle seat. The ISOFIX interface structure of the vehicle seat comprises a shroud mounting base and two ISOFIX shrouds. Two mounting holes are formed in the shroud mounting base, and the mounting holes are penetrated from front to rear. The two ISOFIX shrouds can correspondingly be inserted into the corresponding mounting holes and can be detachably mounted on the shroud mounting base. According to the ISOFIX interface structure of the vehicle seat, the structure is novel, neat, attractive, and easy to realize. The problem is that conventional ISOFIX interfaces collapse surrounding seat foam when being installed. Here, consistency of the two ISOFIX interfaces on the same vehicle seat is guaranteed, the subsequent installation of a child safety seat is convenient, and the assembly and disassembly efficiency of the child safety seat can be effectively improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal Parmar, Lars Modh
  • Patent number: 11420540
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a base, a seat body and a spin lock mechanism. The seat body is movably disposed on the base and switchable relative to the base between a forward facing position and a rearward facing position. The spin lock mechanism is for allowing and restraining switching movement of the seat body relative to the base and includes a pivoting component and a locking component. The pivoting component is pivotally connected to one of the base and the seat body. The locking component is movably connected to the pivoting component for engaging with and disengaging from the other of the base and the seat body. The locking component can be driven by a pivoting movement of the pivoting component to disengage from the other of the base and the seat body to allow the switching movement of the seat body relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 11229300
    Abstract: A cover assembly for use with a piece of furniture comprising a seat portion and a support portion. The seat portion and the support portion define a gap and a bottom space. The cover assembly comprises a protective sheet and an anchor member. At least a portion of the protective sheet is folded to define a sheet edge. At least a portion of the sheet edge is adapted to be inserted into the gap defined by the seat portion and the support portion of the piece of furniture. The anchor member is adapted to be arranged in the bottom space and to engage the sheet edge to resist displacement of the sheet edge out of the gap portion such that at least a portion of the protective sheet may be held in place relative to the piece of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Furhaven Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Heilborn
  • Patent number: 11208014
    Abstract: A support base for a child safety seat includes a shell, a belt clamp, a latching mechanism and a belt retaining structure. The shell is adapted to receive a child seat thereon, and has a panel at an end thereof. The belt clamp is pivotally connected with the shell and is disposed adjacent to the panel, the panel rising above the belt clamp, the belt clamp being operable to clamp a lap belt portion of a vehicle safety belt adjacent to a surface of the shell. The latching mechanism is operable to lock the belt clamp in a clamping state. The belt retaining structure is provided on the panel, and is configured to hold a shoulder belt portion of a vehicle safety belt adjacent to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Robert Scott Anderson, Curtis M. Hartenstine, Patrick J. G. Bowers
  • Patent number: 11130427
    Abstract: A support base for a child safety seat includes a shell, a belt clamp, a latching mechanism and a belt retaining structure. The shell is adapted to receive a child seat thereon, and has a panel at an end thereof. The belt clamp is pivotally connected with the shell and is disposed adjacent to the panel, the panel rising above the belt clamp, the belt clamp being operable to clamp a lap belt portion of a vehicle safety belt adjacent to a surface of the shell. The latching mechanism is operable to lock the belt clamp in a clamping state. The belt retaining structure is provided on the panel, and is configured to hold a shoulder belt portion of a vehicle safety belt adjacent to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Robert Scott Anderson, Curtis M. Hartenstine, Patrick J. G. Bowers
  • Patent number: 11071371
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a body-worn unitary harness having a shoulder portion and a waist portion in tensile communication with one another, such that both the shoulder and the waist portions can be simultaneously adjusted using a single adjustment mechanism to conform to a wearer's body. In an illustrative embodiment, a length of webbing may thread through an angle-turning buckle and change direction therein. Tensile forces in the length of webbing may be directed in different directions on either side of the angle-turning buckle. A single clasp may facilitate both donning and doffing of the unitary harness. An implement connector may be coupled to a hip member and configured to connect an implement to the unitary harness. Various exemplary unitary harnesses may provide comfortable implement carrying capacity while automatically adjusting relative waist and shoulder lengths to accommodate a user's movements and positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jacky Zhu, Zhao Xia Jin, Jimmy Zheng, Bruce Liu, Ning Qin
  • Patent number: 11046216
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ISOFIX interface structure of a vehicle seat. The ISOFIX interface structure of the vehicle seat comprises a shroud mounting base and two ISOFIX shrouds. Two mounting holes are formed in the shroud mounting base, and the mounting holes are penetrated from front to rear. The two ISOFIX shrouds can correspondingly be inserted into the corresponding mounting holes and can be detachably mounted on the shroud mounting base. According to the ISOFIX interface structure of the vehicle seat, the structure is novel, neat, attractive, and easy to realize. The problem is that conventional ISOFIX interfaces collapse surrounding seat foam when being installed. Here, consistency of the two ISOFIX interfaces on the same vehicle seat is guaranteed, the subsequent installation of a child safety seat is convenient, and the assembly and disassembly efficiency of the child safety seat can be effectively improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal Parmar, Lars Modh
  • Patent number: 11007909
    Abstract: A vehicle seat and seat structure for use with an ISOFIX bar is disclosed. The vehicle seat can include a bottom portion, a back portion, a trim portion located between the bottom portion and the back portion, and left and right ISOFIX bars located at the trim portion. A trim cover, made from a flexible material such as a carpet, fabric, or other known vehicle interior material, can extend from a left side of the seat to a right side of the seat and can include left and right openings configured to allow the ISOFIX bars to pass therethrough. A one-piece integrally molded member can be overmolded onto the flexible material trim cover, and can include left and right pocket indents. The left and right pocket indents can each include a slot configured to allow a respective ISOFIX bar to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Christopher Styn
  • Patent number: 10960791
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base operably coupled with a seatback and an anchor housing operably coupled with one of the seat base and the seatback. The anchor housing includes a body defining a cavity and a slot in communication with the cavity. First and second sidewalls of the body define first and second receiving wells, respectively. A cam includes first and second arms that include first and second protrusions, respectively. The first and second protrusions are configured to be received by the first and second receiving wells, respectively. The cam is positioned within the cavity of the body and is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. An anchor extends between the seat base and the seatback and is operably coupled with the anchor housing when the cam is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Skinner, Kurt Leon Kormos, Curtis Stanhope
  • Patent number: 10906436
    Abstract: A child booster seat for use in a vehicle having a pair of LATCH connectors selectively attachable to the vehicle, the connectors having a first web member operably connected thereto enabling the connectors to be drawn closer to the seat for securely connecting the seat to the vehicle and a second web member operably connected to the LATCH connectors for release the LATCH connector from the vehicle, the relative lengths of the first and second webs configured so that the second web will operate and release the LATCH connector from the vehicle before the first web is fully extended from the seat as the seat is being removed from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Michael L. Longenecker
  • Patent number: 10906435
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an adjustable connecting bar for releasable fastening of a child restraint system to a vehicle seat having mounted anchoring members. The adjustable connecting bar (1) comprises a first and a second elongated bar member (2, 3) telescopically interconnected and arranged for relative displacement along a longitudinal axis (L). The first elongated bar member (2) is provided with a coupling device (4) at an end thereof and the coupling device (4) is transformable from a locked configuration to a release configuration in a first operation step by means of a manually operable actuator (8) which is operatively connected via a maneuvering system (9) to the coupling device. The connecting bar (1) further comprises a latch system (10, 11) housed within the connecting bar (1) for selectively preventing extension and retraction of the connecting bar (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: HOLMBERGS SAFETY SYSTEM HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Jan-Erik Persson
  • Patent number: 10856659
    Abstract: Furniture anti-tipping mechanism integrated into a piece of furniture includes a bracket attachable to a vertical support, a substantially planar wall section situated in the furniture and having front and rear surfaces defining a thickness therebetween constituting a rear wall of the furniture, and attachment structure to connect the bracket to the wall section. The attachment structure may include at least one projection projecting from the bracket, at least one corresponding dimensioned aperture in the wall section, and at least one connector engageable onto a respective projection to enable the wall section to be tightened against the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Dooli Products, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Stravitz, Steven G. Marton
  • Patent number: 10829013
    Abstract: Embodiments of a car seat include an outer protective shell, an inner seat, a suspension system connecting and permitting relative movement between the inner seat and the outer protective shell. The suspension system may include a plurality of deformable metal straps. Also, embodiments of a car seat system include a frame constructed to couple to a vehicle seat. The frame has a vertical portion that extends upwardly substantially along a vehicle seatback. The vertical portion extends at least half of the height of vehicle seatback. Also, the system includes a car seat constructed to couple to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Pidyon Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Yochanan Cohen, Velissa Van Scoyoc, Ahmet T. Becene, Ekaterina Kravchenko, Peter Byar
  • Patent number: 10813456
    Abstract: A piece of furniture includes a frame and drawers that move forward and backward between a position in which an interior space of the drawer is inaccessible and a position at least partly out of the frame in which the interior space of the drawer is accessible. A bottom front region of a lower section is more forward from a central vertical plane of the frame than a top front region of an upper section, and the lower section can have a greater front to back distance than the upper section. When the frame is in contact with a horizontal surface and the drawer is open, tipping of the frame from its position on the horizontal surface as a result of downward pressure exerted on the drawer is reduced by the lower section of the frame having the greater front to back distance than the upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Dooli Products, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Stravitz, Steven G. Marton
  • Patent number: 10758046
    Abstract: Mechanism for preventing a piece of furniture from tipping over includes an L-shaped boot having a first elongate planar portion and a second planar portion shorter than the first planar portion. The second planar portion is attachable by structure to a rear surface of a rear leg of the furniture to be alongside and in contact with the rear leg. The first planar portion is dimensioned to extend under the rear leg and under a front leg of the furniture aligning with said rear leg and beyond the front leg when said second planar portion is attached to said rear surface of said rear leg to aid in preventing tipping of the furniture when a force is applied in a forward direction of the furniture. The first planar portion may be configured to extend below right and left legs of the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Dooli Products, LLC
    Inventors: David M Stravitz, Steven G Marton
  • Patent number: 10723245
    Abstract: A support base for a child safety seat includes a shell, a belt clamp, a latching mechanism and a belt retaining structure. The shell is adapted to receive a child seat thereon, and has a panel at an end thereof. The belt clamp is pivotally connected with the shell and is disposed adjacent to the panel, the panel rising above the belt clamp, the belt clamp being operable to clamp a lap belt portion of a vehicle safety belt adjacent to a surface of the shell. The latching mechanism is operable to lock the belt clamp in a clamping state. The belt retaining structure is provided on the panel, and is configured to hold a shoulder belt portion of a vehicle safety belt adjacent to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Robert Scott Anderson, Curtis M. Hartenstine, Patrick J. G. Bowers
  • Patent number: 10722045
    Abstract: A cover assembly for use with a piece of furniture comprising a seat portion and a support portion, where the seat portion and the support portion define a gap and a bottom space. The cover assembly comprises a protective sheet and at least one anchor assembly. At least a portion of the protective sheet is folded to define a sheet edge. The at least one anchor assembly comprises an anchor member and an anchor strap secured to the anchor member and to the sheet edge. The anchor member is adapted to be arranged in the bottom space. The anchor strap is adapted to extend from the anchor member to an upper portion of the gap. At least a portion of the protective sheet may be held in place relative to the piece of furniture by the anchor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: FURHAVEN PET PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Heilborn
  • Patent number: 10600302
    Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an occupant in a child seat is provided. The system includes at least two sensor modules positioned to detect acceleration of the child seat. The sensor modules provide signals representative of the acceleration detected at the first and send sensor modules to a controller. The controller includes signal processing circuitry for processing the signal to determine whether the signals received from the sensor modules are representative of the physiological motion of the occupant. The controller processes the signals received from the sensor modules to isolate acceleration of the child seat from the motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
    Inventor: Leonard Cech
  • Patent number: 10589639
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame rail having a rear catcher pin. A seat frame slidably engages the rear catcher pin at a lateral support. A head of the catcher pin is vertically offset from the seat frame in a static condition. During an impact condition, the seat frame deflects upward and engages the head of the catcher pin to define a dynamic structure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Susko
  • Patent number: 10569673
    Abstract: A support base for a child safety seat includes a coupling structure coupled to a shell and a latch device operable to engage with an anchor structure of a vehicle. The coupling structure includes a carrier pivotally connected with the latch device. The latch device is rotatable relative to the carrier and the shell between a storage position and multiple deployed positions for use, and the carrier is slidable relative to the shell in a first direction for displacing a distal end of the latch device outward and away from an end edge of the shell and in a second direction for displacing the distal end of the latch device toward the end edge of the shell. The support base further includes an adjustment latch movable to engage with the carrier for preventing its sliding in the first direction, and to disengage from the carrier for its sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Robert Scott Anderson, Curtis M. Hartenstine, David H. Lehman, Patrick J. G. Bowers
  • Patent number: 10500991
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a lower anchorage that serves as an attachment member for a child safety seat; a bracket; and a base frame that is provided on or above a vehicle body. The lower anchorage is fixed to the base frame via the bracket; and the lower anchorage is integrally assembled to the bracket, with contours of the lower anchorage and the bracket being in contact with each other in a front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizobata, Fumitoshi Akaike
  • Patent number: 10427560
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a cover member including: a front plate portion covering an opening edge portion of a front opening of a through hole; and a tubular side plate portion extending rearward from an inner end portion of the front opening of the front plate portion and covering at least a part of an outer peripheral wall portion of the through hole; and a lid member, wherein the cover member includes an R-chamfered portion configured to guide an attaching member into the through hole, the R-chamfered portion being formed between the front plate portion and the side plate portion, and wherein an outer peripheral edge portion of the lid member abuts on the side plate portion of the cover member at an R-end point of the R-chamfered portion or at a position rear than the R-end point, so that the lid member is attached to the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanori Ishizaka, Yuki Miyawaki
  • Patent number: 10427575
    Abstract: A headrest assembly for a high performance vehicle seat includes front and rear panels that are coupled to front and rear sides of a support member and further coupled to one another. The front panel includes a mounting surface with an outwardly extending frame substantially disposed around the mounting surface to define a receiving cradle. A headrest bun is releasably coupled to the mounting surface of the front panel. The headrest bun is configured to be easily mounted and removed from the mounting surface of the front panel. When the headrest bun is removed, the cradle is accessible and configured to receive the rear portion of a helmet of a vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, David Frederick Lyons, Kevin Wayne Preuss
  • Patent number: 10399468
    Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically stiffening a vehicle seat back may include a vehicle seat including a seat bottom mountable within a vehicle, a seat back extending upwardly away from the seat bottom, and a bight defined at a forward-facing interface between the seat bottom and the seat back, an occupant restraint harness coupled to the vehicle seat and engaging a top end of the seat back, and a seat back stiffening apparatus having a seat back stiffening member and an actuator coupled to the occupant restraint harness adjacent to or near the bight of the vehicle seat. The actuator may be responsive to a first force applied thereto by the occupant restraint harness in excess of a first threshold force to deploy the seat back stiffening member to couple to and between the seat bottom and the seat back to add stiffness to the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gale, John G. Glover, Guy R. Dingman, Douglas W. Bittner, Jacob C. White
  • Patent number: 10363848
    Abstract: A back frame to be used in a seatback of a vehicle seat is provided. The back frame for a vehicle seat includes a frame main body, a beam member, a bracket, and an extending portion. The frame main body includes two side frames that extend in an approximately up-down direction and that are disposed spaced apart from each other in a seat width direction. The beam member is formed in a rod-like shape, is disposed between the two side frames, and extends in the seat width direction. The bracket couples the beam member to the frame main body. The extending portion is provided in an end of the bracket and extends in a direction away from the end of the bracket. The bracket includes, in the end thereof, a welded portion welded to an outer circumferential surface of the beam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahide Kimura
  • Patent number: 10343561
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat pad configured to support an occupant, the seat pad having a through-hole provided so as to extend through the seat pad in a direction from an occupant sitting side toward a side opposite to the occupant sitting side; and a frame member attached to an opening end of the through-hole on the occupant sitting side, the frame member having an opening configured such that a fixation connecting portion of a child safety seat is inserted into the opening. The frame member is provided with a locking portion locked to the seat pad. The seat pad includes a locking pad portion constituting a part of an inner wall surface of the through-hole, a wire member is embedded in the locking pad portion, and the locking portion of the frame member is locked to the locking pad portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sho Terada, Sonjin Kim, Takahiro Asai
  • Patent number: 10098439
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a body-worn unitary harness having a shoulder portion and a waist portion in tensile communication with one another, such that both the shoulder and the waist portions can be simultaneously adjusted using a single adjustment mechanism to conform to a wearer's body. In an illustrative embodiment, a length of webbing may thread through an angle-turning buckle and change direction therein. Tensile forces in the length of webbing may be directed in different directions on either side of the angle-turning buckle. A single clasp may facilitate both donning and doffing of the unitary harness. An implement connector may be coupled to a hip member and configured to connect an implement to the unitary harness. Various exemplary unitary harnesses may provide comfortable implement carrying capacity while automatically adjusting relative waist and shoulder lengths to accommodate a user's movements and positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jacky Zhu, Zhao Xia Jin, Jimmy Zheng, Bruce Liu, Ning Qin
  • Patent number: 10052980
    Abstract: A seat portion has a passenger receiving surface coinciding with a first plane. The seat portion has a resilient cushioning material with a recessed area defined therein. A tether wire for securing child seat is located within the recessed area. A tether cover assembly has a housing defining a door opening and at least one door configured to move from a closed position concealing the tether wire and the door opening, and an open position exposing the tether wire and the door opening. The housing is installed within the recessed area such that with the door in the closed position the door coincides with or is parallel to the first plane. Movement of the door from the closed position to the open position includes the door moving along a path that coincides with or is parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Konrad
  • Patent number: 9896008
    Abstract: A cover anchor clip comprising a base section that is a rectangular shaped plate body for retention in a foam body, and that is formed with a plurality of through holes into which the foam body enters, the plurality of through holes are lined up along a length direction of the base section in a plurality of rows; and a plurality of anchor portions that are formed standing out from the base section side-by-side in the length direction of the base section, and each of that is configured to anchor an anchored portion fixed to a cover for covering the foam body, wherein a notch is formed to one edge out of a pair of edges of the base section, the pair of edges extends in the length direction of the base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: NIFCO INC., TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Sato, Ryuji Tsunoda, Ryo Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9783085
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a vehicle includes abuse cushion and a top cushion. The top cushion is situated on the base cushion and divides the base cushion into a seat cushion section and a coupling cushion section. The seat cushion section is situated in front of the top cushion in the seat direction. The coupling cushion section is situated in back of the top cushion in the seat direction and includes a cover. The seating arrangement includes a coupling device which is configured to cooperate with a child seat having at least one coupling arm for coupling with the coupling device arranged on the seat cushion section. The seating arrangement further includes a guiding device fastened to the cover of the coupling cushion section for the coupling arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jürgen Nilius
  • Patent number: 9707867
    Abstract: A fixing mechanism of a child safety chair is disclosed in the present invention. The fixing mechanism is disposed on a base of the child safety chair for connecting the child safety chair to a vehicle seat. The fixing mechanism includes a connecting frame, an engaging component and a driving component. An end of the connecting frame is connected to the base, a locking body is disposed on the other end of the connecting frame, and an opening is formed on the locking body. An end of the engaging component pivots to the connecting frame. The driving component is slidably disposed on the connecting frame and connected to the engaging component. The opening of the locking body is closed when the engaging component rotates into the locking body. Further, the opening of the locking body is opened when the driving component rotates the engaging component out of the locking body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: BP Children's Products HK Co., Limited
    Inventor: Xiao-Long Mo
  • Patent number: 9676304
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback and a seat bottom having a seating surface. A child car seat anchoring system is provided behind the vehicle seat and extends between the seatback and seat bottom. A guide ramp on the seat bottom is aligned with an anchor point of the child car seat anchoring system to aid an individual in connecting a child car seat to the child car seat anchoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raul Emilio del Puerto Camargo, David Eduardo Banales Cano, Daniel Sangines Vazquez, Steven Walter Nunez, Peter Curran
  • Patent number: 9656577
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pair of anchors able to engage with engagement members provided on a child seat; a pad having a pair of pad recesses for storing anchors, a trim cover having openings above the pad recesses; and a pair of bezels being hollow cylinder shaped, each having an upper edge flange sewn at the outer edge to the terminal of the trim cover, and covering and hiding the associated pad recess, and each bezel is made of flexible material and has a lower edge flange formed integral with a lower end thereof capable of inserting into the pad recess, the pad has an engaging section capable of engaging with the lower edge flange, the lower edge flange may be deformed and inserted into the pad recess in order to make the bezel cover the pad recess, and the lower edge flange may restore its original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekino, Tsutomu Fujikake, Yutaka Sodeno
  • Patent number: 9630537
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle interior component. The vehicle interior component has a cover forming a design surface, and a tag attached to the cover. The tag has a first piece, a second piece and an attachment portion for attaching the first piece to the cover. The second piece has a first end integrated with the first piece, and a second end attached to the cover directly or indirectly. The second piece is laminated on the first piece while covering the attachment portion. Thus, the second piece is capable of using the attachment portion to suppress impairment of the design property of the vehicle interior component. The tag is attached to the cover in a manner helping to achieve a satisfactory outward appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Kajiwara, Michiaki Kojima
  • Patent number: 9102249
    Abstract: A child safety seat is adapted to be disposed on a vehicle seat and the vehicle seat comprises a fixing rod. The child safety seat comprises a base, a seat body and a fixing device. An assembling direction is defined on the base and the base is capable of being disposed on the vehicle seat. A facing direction is defined on the seat body and the seat body is assembled on the base along the assembling direction. The fixing device is pivotally connected to the base by a pivot axle and used for connecting with the fixing rod. An axial direction of the pivot axle is perpendicular to the assembling direction and the facing direction. Accordingly, the fixing member of the fixing device of the child safety seat can pivot with respect to the base between an accommodating position and a using position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: BP Children's Products HK Co., Limited
    Inventor: Xiao-Long Mo
  • Patent number: 9004593
    Abstract: A child carrier having a carrier pass through which defines a restraint path between opposed carrier sides and having a carrier restraint tensioner coupled at a fixed location on the child carrier which operates to adjust length of a carrier restraint disposed in the restraint path to secure the child carrier in relation to a vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seatcure, LLC
    Inventors: Karin J. Banghart, Tye L. Banghart
  • Patent number: 8998317
    Abstract: A support base for a child safety seat includes a shell body, an adjustable arm assembled with the shell body and having a rear end provided with a fastener operable to attach with an anchorage fixture of a vehicle, a safety lock, and a coupling portion assembled through an interior of the adjustable arm. The shell body is movable along the adjustable arm to adjust a distance between the fastener and a rear of the shell body. The safety lock is assembled with the shell body, and includes a latch operable to engage and disengage an opening of the adjustable arm. The latch is operable to lock the shell body with the adjustable arm, and a locking engagement of the fastener with the anchorage fixture causes a displacement of the coupling portion that pushes the latch to disengage from the opening for allowing displacement of the shell body toward the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Zheng Wen Guo
  • Patent number: 8991918
    Abstract: A child seat attachment structure comprising a lower anchor comprising a fixing portion that is fixed to a configuration member configuring a vehicle body or a vehicle seat, a leg portion that extends from the fixing portion towards a vehicle top side, and a coupling portion that is provided at an upper end portion of the leg portion and that fixes a child seat to the vehicle body or the vehicle seat by connecting to a connector of the child seat; and a contacted portion that restricts displacement of the coupling portion of the lower anchor towards a vehicle front side with respect to the fixing portion by making contact with a portion of the lower anchor when the child seat fixed to the vehicle body or the vehicle seat has moved towards the vehicle front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakakita, Shoji Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8979197
    Abstract: The present application describes child seats having anchoring harnesses that can attach with an external anchorage fixture, such as the anchorage fixture provided in a vehicle. In some embodiments, the child seat comprises a seat portion and an anchoring harness. The seat portion includes a rear edge, and a slot and a bar segment disposed adjacent to the rear edge, the bar being accessible from an outside of the seat portion and extending transversally. The anchoring harness is assembled with the seat portion and includes a fastener operable to attach with an external anchorage fixture for holding the child seat in place, wherein the anchoring harness is routed through the slot and wraps at least partially around the bar segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurseygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Chin-Ming Cheng, Yu-Ya Su, Brad Thomas Bickley
  • Patent number: 8973884
    Abstract: An improved lower anchor strap tension adjusting mechanism for varying tension in a restraint connected to a vehicle. The mechanism comprises first and second adjuster ends and a length of web spanning therebetween. One end of the web is attached to one of the adjuster ends. A guide is provided on one or both adjuster ends enabling the web to be looped around the guide(s) and between the ends in multiple passes. A web lock device is connected one of the ends to engage the web and allow the length of the web spanning between the first and second adjuster portions to be fixed. The number of loops of web spanning between the adjuster ends determines the mechanical advantage in the tension force applied to the anchor strap by the adjuster compared to the tension applied to the free end, improving ease and security of safety seat installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Joshua D. Stuckey, Michael L. Longenecker
  • Patent number: 8973991
    Abstract: A seat anchoring element for child safety seats or baby carriers has an anchoring element which can be secured to fixation elements on the vehicle seat, or to the vehicle body, by connectors at the ends of a separate strap system. The seat anchoring element comprises at least one front and rear securing element on the upper face for fixing the child safety seat or the baby carrier thereto, and least one tensioning device for those parts at the ends of which the connectors are located. The straps of the strap system can be wound onto a ratchet spool of the tensioning device and can be unwound after a locking mechanism of the ratchet is unlocked. A lever mounted pivotably with the seat anchoring element is coupled with the ratchet, wherein the bearing axis of the lever runs transversely to the longitudinal axis of the seat anchoring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Curt Wuerstl Vermoegensverwaltungs-GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jan-Stefan Wuerstl
  • Patent number: 8967715
    Abstract: A child restraint system has a bottom portion configured to rest on a dedicated seat of a vehicle. The bottom portion has a front end, a rear end, and a pair of sides. An anchor latch system is carried by the bottom portion and has two latch belts partially housed within the bottom portion. Each latch belt has an anchor end protruding rearward from and external to the bottom portion. An adjuster is exposed on at least one side or the front end of the bottom portion. The adjuster can be manipulated to selectively retract or pay out the two latch belts simultaneously. The adjuster can have an adjustment belt protruding from one side of the bottom portion. The adjuster can have a knob positioned on the front end, one side, or both sides of the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Carpenter, Daniel J. Layden, John Bachner, Arthur Lee Gehr, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8950809
    Abstract: A child car seat includes: a seat base secured to a seat of a vehicle; an infant carrier removably connected to the seat base; and an interface device coupled to at least one of the seat base or the infant carrier and configured to provide an indication to a user that the seat base is properly secured to the seat of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
    Inventors: Dave Szakelyhidi, Robert D. Daley, Henry F. Thorne, Frederick Karl Hopke, John J. Walker
  • Patent number: 8931838
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a seat part, a rest and retaining elements for securing a child seat which is placed on the seat part of the vehicle seat, wherein the child seat can be connected to at least a first retaining element by means of at least one connector in its lower region and can be connected to at least a second retaining element by means of at least one retaining belt in its upper region, and wherein the rest has a rest frame and a cushion which is held by the rest frame, the second retaining element simultaneously supports the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lars Kramm
  • Patent number: 8926014
    Abstract: An adjustable anchorage mechanism and a child safety seat are disclosed. The adjustable anchorage mechanism includes a seat base and a connecting device pivotally connected to the seat base. A seat is joined onto the top of the seat base. The connecting device is pivotally connected to the seat base relative to the seat such that the connecting device is capable of rotating downward so as to be engaged with an anchor-holding structure of a car seat selectively in front or rear of the seat. Therefore, the invention can provide child forward-facing or backward-facing sitting directly, which avoids the inconvenience of caregivers being demanded to prepare two child safety seats for different use conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Yu-Ya Su
  • Patent number: 8905477
    Abstract: An inflatable child seat for use in an airplane having a base panel having at least one inflatable air chamber is provided. The inflatable child seat also includes two side panels, each of which have at least one inflatable air chamber. Both side panels are connected to the base panel. A back panel is further provided, having at least one inflatable air chamber, and is connected to the two side panels and the base panel. The back panel is disposed at an angle relative to the base panel. The inflatable child seat also has a belt configured to restrain a child in the seat. The inflatable child seat additionally has a cavity disposed in the back panel and is configured for receiving a seat belt from an airplane or car seat for securing the child seat to the airplane or car seat. The inflatable child seat is provided with at least one port that is in communication with one or more of the air chambers and serves as the means for inflating and deflating these chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew E. Curto
  • Patent number: 8905478
    Abstract: A safety seat configured for installation in a vehicle may include a seat shell that includes a bottom, a back, and first and second sides. The safety seat may also include a seat support configured to extend at least partially adjacent to the first side of the seat shell. A second seat support may extend at least partially adjacent to the second side. The bottom of the safety seat may be located between the seat supports. The safety seat may include attachment straps that are each attached at a first end to a fixed location within the vehicle and attached at a second end to a bend of the seat support that is configured to define an attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Britax Child Safety, Inc.
    Inventor: L. Curtis Strong