Providing Support For Lower Back (i.e., Lumbar) Region Patents (Class 297/284.4)
  • Patent number: 11889923
    Abstract: Proposed is an actuator for a recliner which can be manufactured with components having simple structures to reduce weight, and functions of a seat operated through different cables are independently performed stably. The actuator for a recliner includes: a casing part, and a drive part provided with a worm wheel gear located inside the casing part and rotated by an operation of a motor, and a rack gear configured to move elastically toward a first or second side of the drive part in engagement with the worm wheel gear, with cables being coupled respectively to the first and second sides of the rack gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: DAECHANG SEAT CO., LTD-DONGTAN
    Inventors: Chan Ki Cho, Myung Soo Lee, Sin Chan Yang, In Sun Baek
  • Patent number: 11849860
    Abstract: A back adjustment system for a chair having a frame that includes a top end and bottom end. The back adjustment system may further, include a chair back having a first end and a second end. The first end of the chair back may be mounted solely to the top end of the frame of the chair and also includes an adjusting means, which may be mounted at the bottom end of the frame. The adjusting means may allow for engagement between the bottom end of the frame and the second end of the chair back. The adjusting means may be adapted to telescopically engage between the bottom end of the frame and the second end of the chair back thereby solely moving the second end of the chair back from a retracted position to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ALLSEATING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Neil, Marco Paesano, David Nicoll
  • Patent number: 11820268
    Abstract: A lumbar adjuster for use in a vehicle seat and including a wire frame, a lumbar mat, an adjustment mechanism, and an arbor. The wire frame configured to be fixed to a backrest and including a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion and a transverse portion extending therebetween. The lumbar mat configured to face towards a backrest cushion when the lumbar adjuster is assembled to the vehicle seat. The adjustment mechanism connected to and configured to move along the first and second lateral portions and including a lever arm and a gear train operatively connected to and operable to articulate the lever arm to move a portion of the lumbar mat towards and away from the backrest cushion. The arbor connected to the transverse portion of the wire frame and the adjustment mechanism to fix the adjustment mechanism relative to the transverse portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Leo Ioppolo, Richard Mohr, III, Matthew Sinke
  • Patent number: 11805914
    Abstract: An office-type chair including a back support having a suspension mesh back support and a back support frame. The suspension mesh back support has an integral retaining channel disposed at a peripheral edge thereof, and the back support frame includes a central pair of upright support posts and wedge base for mounting to a chair frame. The back support frame includes a plurality of flexible and spaced support arms extending laterally outward from the upright support posts. The support arms each have a peripheral edge configured for fastenerless attachment in a tensioned state within the suspension mesh retaining channel. An upholstery cover encapsulates the suspension mesh and back support frame. The office chair also includes a lumbar mechanism including a resilient cushion that may be positioned in the space between the suspension mesh and the support frame and adjusted along the vertical extent of the back support by rolling the resilient cushion on the rear of the suspension mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Beyer, Kyle R. Fleet, Michael E. Schasel, Todd A. Kercher, Brian S. Gessler, Teresa A. Bellingar
  • Patent number: 11801777
    Abstract: A load support apparatus for a lumbar support assembly is proposed, in which reinforcing ribs are arranged on a lateral surface and a front surface of a concave portion, the load support apparatus maintaining bearing power for supporting an occupant and having a reduced weight. The load support apparatus includes a main support unit including a main plate formed in the shape of a plate, a concave portion formed by one portion of the main plate protruding backward, with a groove being formed in front of the concave portion, and a rib portion formed by protruding from the main plate toward the groove or backward from the main plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: DAECHANG SEAT CO., LTD-DONGTAN
    Inventors: Chan Ki Cho, Gun Young Park, Jin Oh Kim, Tae Hong Han
  • Patent number: 11752057
    Abstract: Spinal support devices and methods of use. Support devices have a base unit, a neck support unit defining a first end, an upper thigh support unit defining a second end, and a mid-back support unit positioned between said neck and upper thigh support units, wherein the neck, upper thigh, and mid-back support units each have a convex shaped topside with an apex that is configured to align within designated concave shaped areas on the user's backside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Contoureal, LLC
    Inventor: Parviz Jahangiri
  • Patent number: 11723472
    Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support system for a chair having a single swing bar. An actuator is mounted between the lumbar support base and the chair frame and may be motorized. Extending the extension shaft of the actuator provides additional support to a user seated in the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ASHLEY FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Rigoberto Marquez
  • Patent number: 11673491
    Abstract: Proposed is a support driver for a seat and a support assembly including the same. The support driver is configured to operate within a limited space while supporting an occupant comfortably and safely. The support assembly has a structure in which the links push the central portion of the cushion in close contact therewith while remaining in intersection with each other. Advantageously, the links are able to push the cushion with a minimum amount of power within a limited space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: DAECHANG SEAT CO., LTD-DONGTAN
    Inventors: Chan Ki Cho, Gun Young Park, Jin Oh Kim, Jun Kyu Park, Jeon Il Kang
  • Patent number: 11672345
    Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of mesh chairs, in particular to a spring-type iron frame mesh chair, wherein it comprises a chair body, and a reinforcement is fixed to the side of the chair body by welding. A mesh body is fixed on the side surface of the reinforcement. Spring bodies are fixed on the inner side of the reinforcement by welding. A connecting ring is connected to one end of the spring bodies different from the reinforcement. An adjusting rod is integrally arranged on the side surface of the chair body. The adjusting rod penetrates the side wall of the chair body. When the mesh chair is in use, the spring bodies can pull the reinforcement by their own elasticity. Pressure is applied to the reinforcement and the spring bodies when the mesh body is under pressure, so that the mesh body becomes flexible and elastic to a certain extent, which improves the user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: DXRACER TECHNOLOGY WUXI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qing Wu
  • Patent number: 11660990
    Abstract: A lumbar support for a vehicle seat includes: a support panel made of an elastic material and supporting the user's lumbar vertebra; a first guide rod supporting the support panel; a second link bracket fastened to the first guide rod to be movable up and down; a first link bracket disposed under the second link bracket to be movable up and down with respect to the second link bracket, and having an operation block providing a supporting force to the lumbar vertebra; a first rotary screw vertically extending, thread-fastened to the first link bracket, and moving up and down the first link bracket by rotating about a longitudinal axis; and a second rotary screw vertically extending, thread-fastened to the second link bracket, and moving up and down the second link bracket by rotating about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GUMCHANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Yel Song, Hai Tai Choi, Chae Sung Song, Se Gil Shin, Sung Su Park, Sang Ho Lee, Man Gi Lee, Se Jong Kim, Yong Choi, Young Jin Hong
  • Patent number: 11596236
    Abstract: The structure for adjusting a support force of a lumbar pillow includes: a backrest bracket, a lumbar pillow, an elastic support, and an adjustment mechanism; wherein a top of the lumbar pillow is flexibly connected to a front side of the backrest bracket; one end of the elastic support is connected to a back of the lumbar pillow, and the other end of the elastic support is provided with a slider, the slider being provided with an internally threaded hole; the adjustment mechanism includes a lead screw; and in response to the lead screw rotating with respect to the backrest bracket, the slider slides upward and downward along the vertical direction of the backrest bracket to change a support angle of the elastic support for the lumbar pillow, such that a magnitude of the support force of the elastic support to the lumbar pillow is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: COMFORT OFFICE FURNITURE CO., LTD GUANGDONG
    Inventor: Yao-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 11541970
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes: a backrest having a cushion surface formed on a first side of the backrest and support surface formed on a second side of the backrest; a first track assembly located along a first side of the backrest and a second track assembly located along a second side of the backrest; and a plurality of guide pins extending from the backrest into the first track assembly and the second track assembly such that the backrest is movable along the first track assembly and the second track assembly on the plurality of guide pins between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Stewart Boyd, William Matthew Reid, Dale Lee Lambert
  • Patent number: 11479156
    Abstract: Provided is a lumbar support device that can reduce a cost involved. One aspect of the present disclosure is a lumbar support device including a base, a pressure-receiving plate arranged at a seat-front side relative to the base, a hinge mechanism moving the pressure-receiving plate in seat front-rear directions, and a lead screw causing the hinge mechanism to be operable. The hinge mechanism includes a first paddle and a second paddle pivoting about a hinge pin in the seat front-rear directions. The first paddle includes a first pressing portion pressing the pressure-receiving plate toward the seat-front side and a first coupling portion coupled to a lead screw so as to be shifted in a seat-width direction as the lead screw rotates. The second paddle includes a second pressing portion pressing the pressure-receiving plate toward the seat-front side and a second coupling portion rotatably coupled to the based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shohei Funaki
  • Patent number: 11440450
    Abstract: A seat comprises a backrest, a seat support coupled to the backrest; and a thigh support coupled to the seat support. The thigh support includes a thigh support structure having a thigh extension, wherein the thigh extension is movably adjustable between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The thigh extension may include at least one elastically deformable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventor: Kurt Seibold
  • Patent number: 11273743
    Abstract: A mat mounting structure for mounting a mat on a seat back frame in a seat back may have a guide wire attachable to the mat configured to receive a force from a back of an occupant on the seat back. The guide wire may have a straight part extending linearly in a longitudinal direction of the seat back frame on a head side or a root side of the seat back frame. A bushing including a penetration hole in which the straight part is insertable in the longitudinal direction may be included in the structure. An attachment hole part in the seat back frame may also be part of the structure. The bushing may be detachably engageable with and attachable to the attachment hole part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Frederick L. Wilkinson, Sean M. Osinski, Yunxiao Li, Wenting Zhang, Naoto Komiya, Laxmikant Indi, Toshimitsu Mizukoshi, Taiji Misono, Hiroki Ikeda, Hiromitsu Nagatomo, Yuki Fukuda, Souhei Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11260265
    Abstract: A stationary bike includes a flywheel mounted to a frame, and a chair coupled to the frame, the chair having a first, a second and a third section each having a flat area, wherein the flat area of the first section is substantially horizontal for supporting a user's buttocks when the user is in a sitting posture, the flat area of the second section forms a first angle to a vertical plane for the user's lower back to lean against when in the sitting posture, and the flat area of the third section forms a second angle to the vertical plane which is larger than the first angle, when the user's upper back rests on the third section, the user's lower back and buttocks are raised above the second section and the first section, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Peigen Jiang
  • Patent number: 11246420
    Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support system for a chair having a single swing bar. An actuator is mounted between the lumbar support base and the chair frame and may be motorized. Extending the extension shaft of the actuator provides additional support to a user seated in the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Rigoberto Marquez
  • Patent number: 11186374
    Abstract: A reclinable passenger seat including a base, a seat pan frame having a front end connected to the base via a first fixed pivot, a support arm having one end connected to the base via a second fixed pivot aft of the first fixed pivot, and a backrest frame having an upper backrest member and a lower backrest member. An opposed end of the support arm is pivotally connected to the lower backrest member at a first location spaced from the upper backrest member. A rear end of the seat pan frame is pivotally connected to the lower backrest member at a second location between the first location and the upper backrest member. The backrest frame and seat pan frame are configured to move simultaneously between a sitting configuration and a reclined configuration through pivoting motion about the fixed pivots and about the two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Philippe Erhel, Jerome Vigeant
  • Patent number: 11162271
    Abstract: A lounge assembly comprising a lower wall structure including at least first and second spaced apart side walls and a rear wall that together form an assembly space, each of the side walls and rear wall including an internal surface, a seat assembly supported between the first and second side walls, a first coupler mounted to the internal surface of the first side wall, a support arm having an arm length dimension between proximal and distal ends, the proximal end mounted to the first coupler adjacent the internal surface of the first side wall for rotation about a first vertical axis and a tablet member supported at the distal end of the support arm for rotation about a second vertical axis through a second range of motion with respect to the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Russell T. Holdredge, Sean Corcorran, David K. Jones, Duck Young Kong, Todd David Krupiczewicz, Keith Robert Machin, Mark McKenna, Gordon Peterson, Mark Spoelhof, Pradeep Mydur, David J. Battey
  • Patent number: 11148565
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pair of side frames disposed separately from each other in a lateral direction; a pair of connecting frames disposed separately from each other to connect the pair of side frames; and a supporting member including hook portions hooked on the pair of connecting frames, the supporting member being laid to bridge the pair of connecting frames, and configured to support an occupant, wherein a tubular member in which a connecting frame is disposed is provided in a position between the hook portions and the side frames. The tubular member is configured to contact the hook portion to thereby restrict a position of the supporting member in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Onuma
  • Patent number: 11135947
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame with an upper subframe pivot. A seat back subframe is pivotably connected to the seat back frame at the upper subframe pivot. An actuation assembly pivotably moves the seat back subframe relative to the seat back frame about the upper subframe pivot, between a seat back subframe design position and a subframe recline position. In the recline position a lower edge of the seat back subframe is positioned outwardly relative to the seat back frame with the seat back subframe pivoted to an angle relative to the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter Daniel Merchant, Keith R. Ziegler, Emery Jay Zadina
  • Patent number: 11097641
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat, including: a first support configuration section that includes a first cover; a second support configuration section that is disposed adjacent to the first support configuration section, and that includes a second cover; a double hinge that couples the first support configuration section and the second support configuration section together; an intermediate shutter that is disposed along a space between the first cover and the second cover; a first shutter that blocks a gap formed between the first cover and the intermediate shutter accompanying relative displacement between the first support configuration section and the second support configuration section; and a second shutter that blocks a gap formed between the second cover and the intermediate shutter accompanying relative displacement between the first support configuration section and the second support configuration section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Matsuzawa, Kenichi Katsube, Daisuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11046219
    Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle seat is provided, comprising: providing a seat back frame; forwardly movably connecting a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant to the seat back frame; mounting a rear-end collision detector to the seat back frame at a position behind the seat occupant, operatively connecting the rear-end collision detector to the headrest; disposing a link member at a position lateral to the rear-end collision detector; forming a front extending portion that inwardly extends in a right-to-left direction at a front end of a lateral face of the side frame; and forming a rear extending portion that inwardly extends in the right-to-left direction; wherein a protruding portion is formed from a portion of the lateral face of the side frame that faces at least the part of the bracket, the link support shaft being disposed at a same height as the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misao Omori, Kenichi Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 11027633
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback having an upper portion. An adjustable headrest assembly is supported on the upper portion of the seatback. The adjustable headrest assembly has a headrest bun and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the headrest bun between extended and retracted positions. A trim component is disposed on the upper portion of the seatback having a relief portion. The relief portion is configured to receive a portion of the adjustment mechanism as the headrest bun is driven towards the extended position. A flexible cover member is coupled to the trim component at the relief portion. The flexible cover member has a plate member operable between extend and retracted positions. The portion of the adjustment mechanism abuts an inner surface of the plate member to move the plate member towards the extended position as the headrest bun is driven towards the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Carol Casey, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Patent number: 11014479
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame, a front closeout panel supported on the frame and an articulating flexmat assembly operably coupled with at least one of the front closeout panel and the frame. The articulating flexmat assembly includes an upper flexmat extending from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame. The upper flexmat includes an upper cable coupled with the upper flexmat and an upper cable regulating motor operably coupled with the upper cable. The articulating flexmat assembly also includes a lower flexmat extending from the first side of the frame to the second side of the frame. The lower flexmat includes a lower cable coupled with the lower flexmat and a lower cable regulating motor operably coupled with the lower cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Casey, Robert Damerow, Andrew Bernard Matusko, Spencer Robert Hoernke, S. M. Akbar Berry, Daniel Ferretti, Steven Carnago
  • Patent number: 11014477
    Abstract: A lumbar support apparatus for a vehicle seat, may include a support frame; a hinge plate mounted on a middle portion of the support frame; an upper end plate mounted on an upper end portion of the support frame; a lower end plate mounted on a lower end portion of the support frame; and a rotary supporting shaft having both side end portions fixed to a seatback frame, and having an anti-rotation bending end portion supported by the rear surface of the hinge plate, wherein the rotary supporting shaft is inserted into a hinge holder formed on the rear surface of the hinge plate for rotating the hinge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Hee Won, Gil Ju Kim, Ju Hyun Cha, Ju Yeol Kong, Chan Ho Jung, Jae Hun Ryu, Kwang Bin Im, Hyuk Kim
  • Patent number: 10952535
    Abstract: A seating or furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and a plurality of links connecting the lumbar pad to the first and second slider blocks. The threaded rod may include a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first slider block may threadably engage the first threaded section. The second slider block may threadably engage the second threaded section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brandon Bucholz, Alexander M. Hegedus
  • Patent number: 10897999
    Abstract: The invention relates to motorized adjustable back support for recliner chair comprising a back frame and means for transforming the power of a motor to a rotational movement of a horizontal rotation bar which is rotationally connected to the frame. The back support further comprises two adjustment arms each fixed on each side of the rotation bar close to the respective sides of the frame wherein the adjustments arms are parallel and have a flexible elongate unit stretching between their respective outer ends, and wherein the adjustment arms can move from a neutral to an extended position, corresponding to a rotation of the rotation bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: IMG GROUP AS
    Inventors: Lars Inge Jakobsen, Rune Jonsen
  • Patent number: 10882478
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methodologies for providing a comfort system of a transportation vehicle include capturing and assessing movement data of a user. The movement data can include movement data captured upon the user's approach to the transportation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AG, PORSCHE AG, BENTLEY MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Benedict A. Recktenwald, David Irving
  • Patent number: 10882422
    Abstract: A seat (1) comprises a seating surface (2) suitable to receive a user and a backrest (3) adaptable according to the user's needs. The seat further comprises a support structure (4) configured to connect the seat to the backrest. The backrest comprises an upper shoulder portion (6) and a lower lumbar portion (7) and the lumbar portion is movable along the support structure while the shoulder portion remains at a fixed height with respect to the support structure (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: C.O.B.O. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gino Mainardi
  • Patent number: 10836286
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a frame extending about a periphery of the seatback. The seatback defines a thoracic region and a lumbar region. First and second supports extend from a top portion of the frame to a lower portion of the frame. A first flexible mat and a second flexible mat are operably coupled with the first and second supports. The first flexible mat is disposed proximate the thoracic region. The second flexible mat is disposed proximate the lumbar region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Michael Steven Medoro, Daniel Ferretti
  • Patent number: 10829006
    Abstract: This vehicle seat device is equipped with a position detection unit which detects the movement position of a vehicle seat. The position detection unit is equipped with a forward direction counting unit and a reverse direction counting unit. The forward direction counting unit counts, in a forward direction, pulse edges during the driving of a motor and pulse edges during the time interval in which the motor current changes from a first polarity to a second polarity opposite to the first polarity due to driving of the motor being stopped. The reverse direction counting unit counts, in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, the pulse edges during the time interval in which the motor current changes from the second polarity to the first polarity after driving of the motor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Masaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10821861
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and an articulating flexmat assembly operably coupled with the frame. The articulating flexmat assembly includes an upper flexmat extending from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame and a lower flexmat extending from the first side of the frame to the second side of the frame. The upper flexmat includes an upper static portion and an upper dynamic portion disposed above the upper static portion and adjustable by upper linear actuators that draw the upper dynamic portion toward the upper static portion to arc the upper flexmat outward. The lower flexmat includes a lower static portion adjacent to the upper static portion and a lower dynamic portion disposed below the lower static portion and adjustable by lower linear actuators that draw the lower dynamic portion toward the lower static portion to arc the lower flexmat outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Robert Damerow, Carol Diane Casey, Andrew Matusko, S. M. Akbar Berry, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Paul Iacoban
  • Patent number: 10807552
    Abstract: A vehicle seat device includes a fixed base, a movable base, a paddle, and an air pack. When a side airbag arranged in the seat is deployed, the expanding side airbag presses and pivots the movable base and allows for a deployment of the side airbag. The paddle is configured to change a seat support form when pressed and pivoted by the air pack. The movable base pivots about a first pivot axis relative to the fixed base. The paddle pivots about a second pivot axis relative to the movable base. The first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are arranged at different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Sakai, Ryosuke Mizuno, Tomokazu Seki, Katsuya Nozue, Shunsuke Tanaka, Kenji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10781849
    Abstract: An exemplary clip assembly for adjusting a length of a cable includes a base including a tab and a first stop member, a cover rotatably coupled to the base, and a barrel assembly nesting within the base and the cover. The base and the cover define a first passage extending longitudinally through the cover and the base. The barrel assembly includes a first barrel member having a first interaction surface and a first threaded channel, and a second barrel member includes a second interaction surface and a second threaded channel. The first and second interaction surfaces form a barrel interaction surface and the first and second channels define a second passage through the barrel assembly. The first and second passages have a common longitudinal axis and rotation of the barrel interaction surface results in longitudinal translation of the cable through the second passage of the barrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Suhas G. Tonapi, James C O'Kane
  • Patent number: 10750870
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a stationary frame assembly and a seat bottom assembly. The stationary frame assembly may include a stationary base frame and a stationary seatback frame that is fixed relative to the base frame. The seat bottom assembly may be supported by the base frame and movable relative to the base frame and the seatback frame between a first position and a second position. The seatback frame is disposed vertically higher than the base frame and the seat bottom assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Marshall, Eugene O. Cole, II, Chandrasekar Ramasubramanian, Stephen Brown, Jason Rains, Jason Bryson
  • Patent number: 10737599
    Abstract: An occupant posture adjusting device includes: a plate-shaped bottom support member pivotably supported by a seat cushion via a pivot shaft extending laterally at a position directly under a hip point of a seated occupant to support at least thighs of the occupant from below; a plate-shaped lower part support member pivotably supported by a seat back via a pivot shaft extending laterally at a position lower than an intermediate portion of the seat back to support at least a pelvis of the occupant; a plate-shaped upper part support member pivotably supported by the seat back via a pivot shaft extending laterally at a position higher than the intermediate portion to support at least scapulae of the occupant; first to third drive devices configured to drive the bottom support member, lower part support member, and upper part support member, respectively; and a control device configured to control the drive devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yoshikawa, Makoto Ota, Tomoo Ito, Kenta Hirayama, Atsumi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 10694855
    Abstract: An ergonomic chair includes a back component and a seat component. The back component includes an upper back support, a lower back support, a seat back frame that is elastically deformed under traction or squeezing, and a locking mechanism for maintaining positions of the above three components to be relatively fixed. The lower back support is connected to the seat component through a connecting rod. A lower end of the upper back support is rotatably connected to an upper end of the lower back support. Upper and lower ends of the seat back frame are respectively hinged on an upper portion of the back support and the lower portion of the lower back support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG MOTOSTUHL FURNITURE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jun Zhou, Daqiu Wang
  • Patent number: 10688898
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a position-adjustable cervical vertebrae support apparatus. The cervical vertebrae support apparatus includes: a cervical vertebrae supporting member (50) which supports the cervical vertebrae of a driver; a front-back distance adjusting unit (60) in which a mounting plate (68) is brought into close contact with and fastened to the back of the cervical vertebrae supporting member (50), a left-handed screw rod (61) and a right-handed screw rod (62) are located at a distance from the back of the mounting plate (68), movable nuts (63 and 64) are disposed around the left-handed screw rod (61) and the right-handed screw rod (62), respectively, distance adjustment rods (74) are coupled to the movable nuts (63 and 64), is also coupled to both sides hinges (76) in a crossed manner and is rotatable around a central pin (72); and an up-down distance adjusting unit (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Iksoo Son
  • Patent number: 10682937
    Abstract: A tarpaulin-shaped protection element for a backrest of a vehicle seat having at least one securing hook in a single piece with the protection element and which is used to secure the protection element to a strut structure of a vehicle seat. The protection element includes at least one cut-away tab bent outwards from a plane of the protection element and has a free end for forming the securing hook. The tab includes a retaining section for blocking the tab on the strut structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Fabian Jockel, Tina Bauer
  • Patent number: 10660441
    Abstract: This invention provides an integrated chair frame motor transmission assembly for adjusting the position of a chair backrest bracket, including a bracket. A fixing part fixed to the chair frame is arranged at an upper end and a lower end of the bracket. A motor speed reducing module is fixed to the bracket, and one end of a screw rod is connected to the motor speed reducing module. The other end of the screw rod is connected to a fixing block, and the fixing block is fixed to the bracket. A sliding groove is formed in the bracket, and a sliding block is arranged corresponding to the sliding groove. The screw rod is matched with and connected to the sliding block and drives the sliding block to move back and forth along the sliding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: TAIZHOU LUCKY PRETTY MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mingyang Ma, Yifeng Chen, Shaoyu Ma
  • Patent number: 10633096
    Abstract: A retrofit seat back assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, the assembly includes a supplemental recline panel having an upper end and a lower end; a pivot member disposed proximate the upper end and configured to pivotally engage a seat back frame of a stowable seat; an actuator disposed proximate the lower end and configured to operably engage the seat back frame and move the supplemental recline panel between a retracted position and a deployed position; and a bias element disposed between the supplemental recline panel and the seat back frame and configured to urge the supplemental recline panel toward the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: AMI INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas E Hoover, Dominic J. Maglia, Akhil Rajagopal Kozhipuram, Pradeep Acharya
  • Patent number: 10625565
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a plate provided on a seatback, an attachment mounted on the plate, two wires extending substantially in an up-down direction to receive a load in a seat front-rear direction applied to the plate, and two locking fixing portions provided above a location of a combined center of gravity of the plate and the attachment to lock and fix the plate with the two wires. Each of the two locking fixing portions includes a first holding portion, a second holding portion, and a wall portion. The first holding portion and the second holding portion hold the corresponding wire in the seat front-rear direction. The wall portion contacts the corresponding wire from a side opposite to the attachment across the wire. The two locking fixing portions are open on the attachment sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomokazu Fukuda
  • Patent number: 10610023
    Abstract: A connection assembly for a backrest, of an office or conference chair, includes a backrest structural element, a transverse support element, a transverse bearing by means of which the backrest structural element is rotatably coupled to the transverse support element in a direction perpendicular to a transverse direction, and a connection portion connecting the transverse support element to the backrest structural element, arranged and formed so that the backrest structural element is resiliently movable relative to the transverse support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sedus Stoll AG
    Inventors: Judith Daur, Thomas Stenzel, Harry Fischer, Kurt Buntru
  • Patent number: 10602847
    Abstract: A seatback assembly is provided having a thoracic support structure. The thoracic support structure includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness for providing support to the user's spine. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the thoracic support structure for positioning the support structure along the seatback so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
  • Patent number: 10583757
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the vehicle seat. The vehicle further includes a support mechanism coupled to the vehicle and configured to vary support provided to an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Cedric Ketels, Tristan J. Vanfossen
  • Patent number: 10568428
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a stationary frame assembly and a seatback cushion. The stationary frame assembly may include a stationary base frame, a pair of stationary armrest frames and a stationary seatback frame that is fixed relative to the stationary base frame and the stationary armrest frames. The seatback cushion may include upholstery attached to at least one of the armrest frames. The upholstery may include a portion disposed between the at least one of the armrest frames and the seatback cushion. The portion of the upholstery may be expandable to allow movement of the seatback cushion relative to the stationary base frame, the stationary armrest frames and the stationary seatback frame between an upright position and a reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard E. Marshall, Eugene O. Cole, II, Chandrasekar Ramasubramanian, Stephen Brown, Jason Rains, Jason Bryson
  • Patent number: 10568433
    Abstract: A lordosis support for a seat back rest, includes a support plate, tension members for holding the support plate between two frame legs of the seat back rest, the support plate having on each side at least one point of attack for a respective tension member, and an adjusting device for adjusting a tension force of the tension members by changing the distance between the two points of attack, wherein the distance between the two points of attack is adjustable and the adjusting device is configured to change this distance, wherein the support plate is a one-piece support plate, and the two points of attack are linearly moveably arranged at the one-piece support plate for translational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Jörg Schwarzbich
  • Patent number: 10477973
    Abstract: A chair, primarily for office use, is disclosed with a backrest that supports the user with a flexible mesh material combined with a frame that is shaped to project the mesh forward to support the user without coming into direct contact with the user. The central portion of the backrest frame is recessed relative to the top and bottom portions. The backrest frame is also bowed inward at the bottom with the top edge of the frame projected forward such that the mesh material supporting the user is suspended out and away from the main portion of the backrest frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony Gerbino, Bernie Lynch, Miles Keller
  • Patent number: 10427568
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for adjusting at least one component of a seat comprises a first traction device, a second traction device, and an actuator which comprises a spindle drive. The spindle drive comprises a first member which is rotatably mounted and a second member which is threadingly engaged with the first member and secured against rotation. Both the first traction device and the second traction device are coupled to the second member of the spindle drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Maxime Samain