Movable Bottom Patents (Class 297/311)
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Patent number: 7293752Abstract: A seat track assembly for adjusting a seat assembly of a vehicle includes a first track and a second track that is moveable with respect to the first track. The seat track assembly further includes a latch mechanism associated with the second track, and the latch mechanism is operative to inhibit relative movement of the tracks. The latch mechanism includes multiple triggers that are each pivotable between a locked position in which the trigger is engaged with the first track, and an unlocked position in which the trigger is disengaged from the first track.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Peter R. McCulloch, Joseph J. Grajewski
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Publication number: 20070257535Abstract: A seat support structure for facilitating assembly of a frame support member. The seat support structure includes a seat support portion mounted on a seat rail of a vehicle, the seat support portion having an opening portion; a mount rubber having an engaging groove portion on an outer peripheral portion thereof, an insertion portion arranged closer to a distal end side than the engaging groove portion, and a through hole penetrating through the mount rubber. Upon mounting the seat, the insertion portion of the mount rubber is inserted into the opening portion of the seat support portion, the portion of the seat to be supported is inserted into the through hole, and the mount rubber is moved in the radial direction in an inside of the opening portion, and a portion of a groove wall of the engaging groove portion is brought into pressure contact with the opening portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Kazuhiro Yasuda, Hideaki Suzuki, Seiji Hanafusa, Masahiro Inoue
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Patent number: 7278686Abstract: A height adjusting device, wherein a pinion gear (8) rotated by an operating knob (7) for adjusting the height of the entire vehicle seat and a sector gear (9) are covered by a gear cover (12) and fixedly fitted to the inside of a seat side frame section (2), and a rotating shaft (7a) of the operating knob (7) and a supporting pin (9a) of the sector gear (9) are held by both the seat side frame section (2) and the gear cover (12) at their opposite ends.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masami Yoshida
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Publication number: 20070170761Abstract: An adjustable seat for a personal mobility vehicle comprises a panel and a support structure. The panel comprises at least one panel part. The panel part is releasably secured relative to the support structure so as to be adjustable in at least one direction. The panel part has one of either a key member or a mating structure that is configured to mate with the other one of either the mating structure or the key member, which is supported in relation to the support structure to locate the panel part in a suitable adjusted position. Alternatively, a personal mobility vehicle seat may comprise a panel comprising panel parts. The panel parts may be releasably secured to one another so that at least one of the panel parts is adjustable relative to the other one of the panel parts. One of the panel parts may have a key member and the other panel part may have a mating structure configured to mate with the key member to locate the panel parts in a suitable adjusted position relative to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: July 26, 2007Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, Ted C. Gillespie
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Patent number: 7243995Abstract: A second row seat is guided by a vehicle-longitudinal-direction sliding mechanism and a vehicle-width-direction siding mechanism supported on the vehicle-longitudinal-direction sliding mechanism. The vehicle-width-direction sliding mechanism is configured such that a length thereof is set within a width of a recess portion formed at the bottom face of a seat cushion so as to allow the vehicle-width-direction sliding mechanism to be placed within the recess portion when the seat cushion has been moved forward and downward by a moving mechanism. Accordingly, a load floor formed by a back face of a seat back according to a forward movement of the seat back with its lower and horizontal position can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Kouichi Nakaya, Kenji Muramatsu
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Patent number: 7185910Abstract: A multi adjustable chair is comprised of a support frame to which is secured an adjustable seat assembly and an adjustable backrest assembly. The backrest assembly has displaceable back support plates that are adjustable to a desired position. A back cushion is secured over back support elements and is displaceable in unison therewith as the backrest is extended or retracted. The seat assembly has a pair of laterally displaceable seat panels as well as a front guide frame and the seat cushion is also extendable both laterally and forwardly as the seat panels and front guide frame are displaced to adjust the size of the seat assembly. The adjustable chair is preferably, but not exclusively, a wheelchair and it is provided with an adjustable support base assembly and a chair tilting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Positech Innovation Inc.Inventors: André Beauchesne, Jean-Pierre Baril, Michel Bayard
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Patent number: 7159942Abstract: A horizontal adjustment mechanism for use with a chair having a base, a seat supported on the base and a seat back. The mechanism includes a first plate that is to be coupled to the base and a second plate that is coupled to the seat. The second plate includes a mating portion. The second plate is slidably coupled to the first plate such that the second plate can move relative to the first plate. The mechanism also includes a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism includes a mating portion that selectively disengages from the mating portion of the second plate to allow the second plate to move relative to the first plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: L & P Property Management CompanyInventor: Massimo Costaglia
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Patent number: 7063386Abstract: A tilting seat bottom assembly for a passenger seat includes: a seat pan assembly for supporting a passenger and a pivot assembly for being attached to the seat frame. The seat pan assembly is mounted for pivotal motion about at least two axes relative to the seat frame, and can be locked in a selected orientation by the passenger.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Mark Brian Dowty, James R. Yurchenco
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Patent number: 6986550Abstract: A seat slide assembly for a fixed seating arrangement allows for controlled horizontal movement of a seat in relation to a fixed vertical seat post. The seat slide assembly includes a cover configured for attachment to the bottom of a conventional seat, and a seat slide top member attached to the underside of the cover. The bottom of the seat slide top member is configured to receive and attach a pair of parallel ball-type bearing assemblies located on opposite sides of the seat slide assembly. Each bearing assembly is mounted to the underside of the seat slide top member, so that the bearing assemblies move along with the seat slide top member on an upper wall defined by a base. A spring biased seat slide retainer handle is operatively attached to the seat slide top member, and includes a retainer tab that engages a one of a series of spaced slots on a flange extending downwardly from a side of the base, for incremental controlled movement of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.Inventors: Steven C Gevaert, Scott L Williams
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Publication number: 20040189071Abstract: An elevation chair having a seat which is elevated by a driving mechanism, provided with a seat frame and a seat main body attached to the frame as to incline forward, the seat main body has an oscillation mechanism to automatically incline the seat main body forward at a predetermined height, and an angle detecting means to stop the driving mechanism when the seat main body reaches a predetermined inclination angle. And, the elevation chair has an automatic braking mechanism which releases wheels when a footrest attached to a position above a front wheel is laid to be horizontal, and brakes the wheel when the footrest is standing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: KOMURA CORPORATIONInventors: Seiichi Komura, Takashi Kaneda, Katuhiko Yamashita, Kazuya Adachi, Isamu Mizuseki
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Patent number: 6739665Abstract: A motion chair includes a pair of side frames, each of which has a front leg, a rear leg and a side rail brace member interconnected therebetween. A seat is located between the side frames, and includes a pair of resilient spring-type seat frames. A seat mounting arrangement interconnects each seat frame with one of the side frames. The seat mounting arrangement includes a bracket-type mounting member to which the seat frame is secured. A seat support member is interconnected with the side rail member, and the seat mounting member is secured to the support member. In one form, the seat support member is a metal reinforcement member connected to the side rail member, which is preferably formed of a wood material. The reinforcement member distributes loads and stresses applied to the seat mounting member to and throughout the length of the brace member. In another form, the seat support member is a planar side member that spans across a joint between the leg and the side rail member.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.Inventors: Roger K. Leib, Danny R. Hankins
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Patent number: 6731088Abstract: The vehicle seat (10) comprises at least one electrically powered functional member (24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 38). This functional member comprises an active element (24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 31E, 32E, 34E) designed to perform a unique elemental function; a local control unit (24D, 26D, 28D, 30D, 31D, 32D, 34D) for controlling an active element (24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 31E, 32E, 34E); units (24B, 26B, 28B, 30B, 31B, 32B, 34B) of receiving commands; and units (24F, 26F, 28F, 30F, 31F, 32F, 34F, 38F) for collecting operational status data from the functional member (24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34). The seat comprises a communication bus (42) to which each of the receiving units (24B, 26B, 28B, 30B, 31B, 32B, 34B).Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: LABINAL Montigny-le-BretonneuxInventor: Laurent Nivet
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Patent number: 6644737Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat squab supported on a base structure, and a spring arrangement for weight adjustment, the spring arrangement being connected to a weight adjustment actuating device. Associated with the actuating device is a level indicator device for indicating adjustment of the seat squab to the seat squab level which optimally corresponds to the weight of the respective seat occupant, in relation to the spring travel of the seat squab. The level indicator device and the actuating device are provided at least substantially centrally at the front edge of the seat squab for optimum actuability and adjustability.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Grammer AGInventors: Josef Kohl, Manfred Meier, Holger Raum
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Patent number: 6629729Abstract: A pair of foldable rear seats for a motor vehicle includes a support stub fixed to the vehicle and a pair elongated support arms pivotally connected to the support stub. A pair of seat bottoms are pivotally connected to each of the respective support arms, such that each seat bottom is pivotable between a vertical folded position and a horizontal open position. Further, a pair of seat backs are each pivotally connected to a rear portion of each respective seat bottom in order to fold into the respective seat bottom from an open position. A headrest is slidably disposed on each seat back. Furthermore, a pair of seat legs are each pivotally connected to the seat bottom at an outer portion thereof so that when the seat bottom is in the open state, the seat leg, in its open position, extends from the seat bottom to the vehicle floor.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Michael Wiedeman, Michael Tsay, Mami Endo, John Dixon, John A. Frye, Frank D. Moburg
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Patent number: 6616230Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat frame supporting a seat cushion, a pair of lateral slide units longitudinally spaced to each other and coupled to the seat frame for lateral sliding movement of the seat cushion, and a pair of longitudinal slide units laterally spaced to each other and adapted to be fixedly secured to a floor panel of a vehicle body for longitudinal sliding movement of the seat cushion. The lateral slide units is coupled to the longitudinal slide units. Also, the lateral slide units include front and rear stationary rails, which are longitudinally spaced to each other and supported with the longitudinal slide units, and front and rear movable rails, which are longitudinally spaced to each other and held in engagement with the stationary rails for the lateral sliding movement of the seat cushion, respectively, and the front and rear movable rails of the lateral slide units form a part of the seat frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Systems CorporationInventor: Naoki Niikura
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Publication number: 20030067204Abstract: The present invention provides a seat with a vertical rubber panel, which is suitable for use preferably in public buildings such as waiting rooms, bus shelters or railway stations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventors: Martin Mezger, Torsten Bilstein
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Publication number: 20020135213Abstract: The present invention provides a strut spring seat support to support a coil spring and attachable to other vehicle suspension system components. The strut spring seat support comprises a spring seat bracket and a lower spring seat. In a preferred embodiment, the spring seat bracket is welded to the reservoir tube and the lower spring seat is positioned around the reservoir tube and projection welded to the spring seat bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Patrick H. Fullenkamp, Sebastian Kaffanke, Piotr A. Kos, Miroslaw Pajak
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Patent number: 6419647Abstract: A motion sickness expression apparatus capable of causing expression of motion sickness on a person riding in any posture on the apparatus without setting the apparatus in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a base, a vertical vibrator to which the vibration application unit is connected so as to be vertically movable with respect to the base through link members and which is constructed so as to support the body carrying section thereon, and a magnetic spring mechanism including permanent magnets arranged on the base and vertical vibrator so as to repel each other, respectively. The magnetic spring mechanism also includes an actuator for moving the permanent magnet arranged on the base to vary areas of the permanent magnets opposite to each other, leading to vibration of the vertical vibrator.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Eiji Sugimoto, Yumi Ogura
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Publication number: 20010017481Abstract: Method and apparatus for adjusting an automotive seat mechanism or adjusting other mechanisms comprising a magneto rheological and/or electro rheological fluid provided in the chamber of a positive fluid displacement device and interconnecting said relatively movable parts whereby changing the status of said fluid enables control of the mechanism, and/or take up of any backlash between movable parts of the mechanism, by virtue of resistance to fluid flow in the activated status of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2001Publication date: August 30, 2001Inventor: Hugh Christopher
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Patent number: 6095606Abstract: An adjustable chair that includes a frame supporting a seat portion. The frame also supports a member on which a back portion is mounted. The seat portion is synchronously moveable with the back portion such that as the seat portion moves forwardly the back portion moves upwardly and as the seat portion moves rearwardly the back portion moves downwardly. The mechanism effecting this movement includes a feature allowing the independent movement of the back portion or the seat portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Peter Opsvik ASInventor: Peter Opsvik
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Patent number: 6011318Abstract: A wire harness for electrically connecting a vehicle seat generally comprises a plurality of wires encased in a continuous sheath. The sheath preferably has a serpentine or other shape of reduced length in its undeformed state. In this manner, when the vehicle seat is moved between a first position and a second position excess slack in the wire harness is taken up by the shape memory characteristic of the wire harness, thereby preventing damage to the wires.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1998Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.Inventors: Frank Mayoras, Jeffrey A. Branch
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Patent number: 5984254Abstract: A vehicle seat slideway has a male channel member whose two flanges are outwardly extended by flaps extending at an angle outwards and towards the web of the male channel member to a vertical end portion, and a female channel member having flanges extended by reentrant troughs penetrating between the flanges and the flaps of the male channel member. Same-diameter balls are disposed firstly between each flap and the corresponding reentrant trough, bearing against at least the vertical end portion of the flap and against a sloping flat portion which extends an initial horizontal portion of the reentrant trough, and secondly against the flap and a corner zone situated at the junction between the web and the corresponding flange of the female channel member.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipements SAInventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Baloche, Rene Rohee
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Patent number: 5961088Abstract: A device for securing and adjusting the lengthwise position of a removable and reversible seat for a vehicle. The device includes a pair of C-shaped tracks secured to the floor of the vehicle with each track having an upper compartment and a lower compartment. The upper compartment of each track accommodates a slider that is connected to each leg of the seat of the vehicle and includes a locking device having teeth. The slider is displaceable relative to the track so that the slider can be manipulated between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lower compartment accommodates a plate having parallel rows of perforations that are engaged by the teeth of the locking device in the locked position and are released from engagement in the unlocked position. The configuration of the track and slider arrangement provide the device with a strong leg-slider connection as well as good resistance to tearing free from the floor of the vehicle in case of impact.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Irausa Ingeniera, S.A.Inventors: Jean-Pierre Chabanne, Jean Duchateau
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Patent number: 5899780Abstract: A rowing apparatus having support tubing that extends over the gunnels of the canoe, and to which the oars are mounted, is angled upwardly to provide added clearance in choppy waters. The elongated track support to which the seat and the support tubing are mounted is provided with repositionable mounting brackets that enable the height from the floor of the elongated support member to be adjusted within a range of several inches to maintain a suitable center of gravity for a wide range of weather conditions. In this manner the rower is capable of maximizing the transfer of power through the rowing apparatus, and still maintain the stability of the canoe. Since wilderness rowing is a physically demanding activity, the rowing apparatus is easily adaptable for use as a training device, permitting the user of the apparatus to use the same device in their home for exercise and training purposes that they can also use in their canoe on an actual wilderness rowing expedition.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1996Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Inventor: Gerald Mark Robbins
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Patent number: 5797576Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a drive shaft rotatably driven by a motor mounted centrally on a bracket fixedly connected at opposite ends to one of the fixed or movable tracks of a pair of vehicle seat track assemblies. The drive shaft threadingly engages a drive nut mounted in a resilient holder carried on a bracket fixedly connected to another of the tracks of the track assemblies. The single lead screw and single drive nut simultaneously move both movable tracks of the pair of track assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1996Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: Derek K. Gauger
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Patent number: 5720462Abstract: A rotatable and slidable seat mount which has controls for rotation and for sliding which may be independently operated and which may be operated from actuators fixed to the same location relative to the seat from any rotational or lateral orientation.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1995Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Sears Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Cole T. Brodersen
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Patent number: 5692802Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part which is formed by a cushion secured to a first armature itself supported by a second armature on which the backrest is mounted, it being possible for the first armature to be moved back and forth with respect to the second armature. The first armature includes a rear part which is suspended from the second-armature by at least one rear connecting piece, and the first armature further includes a front part which is linked to the second armature by a front mechanism compatible with the rocking motion of the rear part of the first armature. When a user is seated in the seat, the first armature is urged backward by the weight of the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipments SAInventors: Christophe Aufrere, Bruno Hamelin, Jean-Claude Aumond
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Patent number: 5533784Abstract: A driver's seat having a vibration generator connected to the driver's seat and controls for turning the vibration generator on and off for vibrating the driver's seat so that when a driver feels drowsiness coming on, the driver can operate the controls for switching on-off the vibration generator so that the driver's seat can be vibrated and prevent the driver from dozing during driving and prevent an accident from occurring.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Fukuoka Kagaku Ltd.Inventor: Masahiro Fukuoka
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Patent number: 5505521Abstract: A sprung seat frame comprises a base element, a top element and a spring arrangement between the base and top elements. The spring arrangement has at least two leaf springs which are arranged one above the other at a spacing from each other and at least approximately parallel to each other. One end portion of each leaf spring is connected to the base element and the second end portion of each leaf spring is connected to the top element. The leaf springs are disposed obliquely inclinedly between the base and top elements. At least one corrector leaf spring which is oriented at least approximately parallel to the leaf springs and which is shorter than same is additionally operatively disposed between the base and top elements for optimizing the springing characteristic of the seat frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1994Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Assignee: Grammer AGInventors: Hermann Meiller, Josef Hoerner
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Patent number: 5499862Abstract: A top plate (12) with a padded cushion (18) is pivotably mounted on a bottom plate (16) . The padded cushion (18) is fixed in position on the top plate (12) by an integral rigid retaining ring ( 20) , with inner beading (34) of the retaining ring (20) extending in a clamping fashion beneath outer beading (26) of the top plate (12). An annular groove (22) close to the outer edge of the top plate (12) means that the remaining annular wall (24) with the marginal beading (26) is only connected to the top plate (12) via a thin bridge, said bridge constituting an articulation zone (28), so that, when the retaining ring (20) is lifted off, the annular wall (24) functions as a flexible tongue and can be moved elastically inwards.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Schmidt & Lenhardt GmbH & Co. oHGInventor: Klaus Janisch
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Patent number: 5467957Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gear assembly and to a driven lead screw. A horizontal drive block threadingly engaging the lead screw is rotatably and vertically translatingly mounted in an aperture in a lower track for self-alignment of the drive block with respect to the lead screw. A housing rotatably receives the axial connection between one end of the drive shaft and the lead screw. The drive nut is rotatably and translatingly mounted in a bracket fixed to an upper track for self-alignment of the drive shaft with the lead screw. A drive block engages the lead screw and is mounted for rotation and translation in a link.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1993Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: ITT CorporationInventor: Derek K. Gauger
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Patent number: 5456439Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gear assembly and to a driven lead screw. A horizontal drive block threadingly engaging the lead screw is rotatably and vertically translatingly mounted in an aperture in a lower track for self-alignment of the drive block with respect to the lead screw. A housing rotatably receives the axial connection between one end of the drive shaft and the lead screw. The drive nut is rotatably and translatingly mounted in a bracket fixed to an upper track for self-alignment of the drive shaft with the lead screw. A drive block engages the lead screw and is mounted for rotation and translation in a link.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1993Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignee: ITT CorporationInventor: Derek K. Gauger
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Patent number: 5401044Abstract: A lightweight, two piece wheelchair wherein both pieces are separable and optionally foldable. The wheelchair is driven manually by rotating a pair of opposed handwheels, one of which is contacted by each of the occupant's hands. When a seat positioning crank is rotated by the wheelchair occupant, a seat raising mechanism is activated which moves the seat from a horizontal sitting position to an inclined but substantially vertical position toward the front of the wheelchair. As the seat is raised, the contour of the seat is altered to provide added comfort for the occupant in the standing position.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1992Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: ReGain, Inc.Inventor: Michael H. Galumbeck
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Patent number: 5374106Abstract: A folding auxiliary seat assembly for a tractor cab includes a brace plate pivotally connected to interior structure of the cab, a main cushion hingedly connected to the brace plate, and an outer cushion hingedly connected to the main cushion. A latch pawl extending from the brace plate cooperates with a spring latch on a side wall of the interior structure to latch the assembly in a retracted position. In the retracted position, the outer cushion is folded beneath the main cushion, and the brace plate is pivoted to a vertical position. The main cushion has retainer sockets formed on an under side thereof which are positioned to receive retainer pins mounted on a top wall of the interior structure when the seat assembly is in a deployed position. In the deployed position, the outer cushion is folded out to a coplanar relationship with the main cushion, and the brace plate is angled away from the side wall of the supporting interior structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1993Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Assignee: Agco CorporationInventor: Wayne A. Hoefer
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Patent number: 5358207Abstract: A latchable track assembly for use with a seat in a vehicle, is disclosed. The assembly comprises first and second generally U-shaped slidably engaged track members adapted for relative sliding movement with respect to each other along a first longitudinal axis. The first track member has a first row of consecutive teeth on the first track member with the first row in aligned, generally parallel relation to the first axis, the consecutive teeth defining interstices positioned one between each pair of the consecutive teeth. There is a locking member having a least one detent portion dimensioned to be positionable within at least one of the interstices in transverse intruding relation to the first row of consecutive teeth and a bracket member rigidly attached to the second track member and adapted to laterally support the locking member in juxtaposed pivotable relation to the first track member.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1994Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: Bertrand Faure Ltd.Inventor: Frank T. West
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Patent number: 5356199Abstract: A mechanism for mounting the seat of a swivel chair to the chair frame, with a first mounting which can be connected to the frame, with a second mounting carried by the first mounting via a joint, which can be connected to the seat and with a spring arrangement for the initial tensioning of the second mounting in an upper position of rest, locking parts on said first and second mounting which are adapted to be engaged and disengaged by a locking slide.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1992Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Fritz Hansen A/SInventors: Manfred Elzenbeck, Burkhard Vogtherr
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Patent number: 5348370Abstract: A driver's seat having a vibration generator connected to the driver's seat and controls for turning the vibration generator on and off for vibrating the driver's seat so that when a driver feels drowsiness coming on, the driver can operate the controls for switching on-off the vibration generator so that the driver's seat can be vibrated and prevent the driver from dozing during driving and prevent an accident from occurring.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1992Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: Fukuoka Kagaku Ltd.Inventor: Masahiro Fukuoka
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Patent number: 5326067Abstract: A quick release pedestal for a vehicle seat comprising a base member rigidly attachable to a floor portion of a vehicle and defining first and second pairs of elongate slots extending in spaced, parallel relation therein. Releasably attachable to the base member is a seat support member including a first pair of hook members oriented so as to be receivable into the first pair of slots and a second pair of hook members oriented so as to be receivable into the second pair of slots. The seat support member further includes a mechanism for releasing the seat support member from engagement to the base member when the first pair of hook members are received into the first pair of slots and the second pair of hook members received into the second pair of slots.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1992Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: Hi-Tech Seating ProductsInventor: Jose M. Gonzalez
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Patent number: 5288134Abstract: A seat assembly with an integrated seat cushion and seat track frame in which the lateral seat cushion suspension load is transferred from the seat cushion frame to the seat track frame enabling a seat cushion frame to be constructed without a rear cross member. As a result, the weight of the seat cushion frame is reduced, without sacrificing the structural integrity of the seat assembly frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1992Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.Inventors: Marc D. Hewko, Duane E. Potes, Jr.
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Patent number: 5280987Abstract: A dual rail adjuster arrangement is provided that is hidden beneath the floor. The adjuster can be used for front or rear seat applications and offers the necessary strength and stability that prior wheeled adjusters cannot. In addition, the present invention offers the ability to remove the seat so that a van cargo area can be cleared in a relatively simple manner. The adjuster arrangement is non-obtrusive, and the floor is left relatively flat when the seats are removed. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuster includes an elongate stationary rail that is substantially recessed below the vehicle floor. The rail is positioned into a formation in the floor or, if additional strength is necessary, into a reinforcement that extends below the floor. A slider rail is fitted at the stationary rail and is supported by roller ball bearings or other similar means interposed between the two rails.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1993Date of Patent: January 25, 1994Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Harold J. Miller
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Patent number: 5172882Abstract: An improved manual seat adjuster for selectively positioning a seat which requires as little space as possible to operate and that includes a primary and secondary locking arrangement for resisting greater than normal loading which may be experienced by the seat adjuster.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1991Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: James P. Nini
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Patent number: 5171055Abstract: A seat mechanism including a deflectable latch flap mechanism formed integrally with a first seat pan member. The latch flap engages an indexing means for selectively securing the seat in a desired longitudinal position. A guide mechanism is provided for longitudinally guiding foot portions coupled with the seat mechanism during seat position adjustment. Mating portions are provided that generally prevent the guide mechanism from shifting laterally with respect to the seat mechanism under the weight of the operator.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1991Date of Patent: December 15, 1992Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Wayne R. Hutchison, Richard D. Teal, Steven C. Wasson, David R. Daniel
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Patent number: 5022707Abstract: A vehicle safety device designed to respond to a sudden stopping of a vehicle by controlling movement of both the front and the rear of a vehicle seat in forward and upward directions. In various embodiments the movement is controlled by ramps and linkages and by various combinations of ramps and links. The linkage may be a single component link or a linkage of two components pivotally connected together. The ramp may be defined by a straight slot or by an arcuate slot or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1988Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: Life Force Associates, L.P.Inventors: Randall Beauvais, Albert J. Meade
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Patent number: 5007675Abstract: A bicycle seat which can be adjusted by the rider while riding within a range of fore-and-aft positions comprises a pair of telescoping tubes (20, 16) with the outer tube attached to the bicycle's frame (18) and the inner tube connected to the seat via a member (46) which extends through a slot (64) in the outer tube. A bungee cord (26) is connected between the seat and the front end of the outer tube so as constantly to pull the seat and the inner tube forward. The inner tube has a series of holes (60A to 60E) connected by a groove (62) and a detent cylinder (58) has a spring-loaded detent plunger (54) which extends into one of the holes to lock the inner cylinder in position. The plunger is connected to an operating lever (50) by a cable (52) so that the rider can withdraw the plunger from a hole to move the seat forward or backward.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1990Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Inventors: Mario S. Musto, Scott W. Davis
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Patent number: 4941709Abstract: An examination chair for placing a patient in desired positions for e.g. radiological examination, especially of the lungs and pleurae, comprises an underframe (10) having an arm (12) which is pivotable in the vertical plane and two parallel arcuate sections (17) which are rigidly interconnected and longitudinally displaceably mounted in holders (16) on opposite sides of the end of said arm (12) facing away from the underframe (10) and can be locked in the adjusted position. The arcuate members (17) carry the seat and back-rest assembly (19, 20, 21) of the chair on their side facing the arc center (0) in a manner such that the center of gravity of a person sitting in the chair will lie slightly in front of and below the arc center (0). By pivoting the arm and longitudinally displacing the arcuate members (17), the patient carried by said seat and back-rest assembly (19, 20, 21) is readily positionable in the desired positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1989Date of Patent: July 17, 1990Inventor: Anders Moller
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Patent number: 4792185Abstract: A seat device having a cushion supported to be movable up and down to damp vibration, characterized in that the seated portion of the cushion is divided into front, center and rear parts which are connected bendably with one another, that one of the front and rear parts of the seated portion is pivoted on a fixed member while the other is swingably and slidably supported by a fixed member, that swinging arms are projected downward from the front and rear parts of the seated portion, and that a cushion spring for urging the center part of the seated portion upward is stretched between the front ends of the swinging arms.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1987Date of Patent: December 20, 1988Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co.Inventor: Yoshitoshi Oshikawa
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Patent number: 4781353Abstract: An adjustment device to adjust the depth and height of a seat cushion, the longitudinal positions of a headrest and the like in a seat for use in a vehicle such as an automobile is disclosed. In the adjustment device, a rod is rotatably journaled on the side of fixed means thereof, a pair of link members are respectively fixed to the rod at the first ends thereof with the free ends thereof being connected to a movable member, there is provided in said fixed means a crankshaft having a pair of bent portions on the substantially 180.degree. opposing sides thereof, and the bent portions of the crankshaft are respectively inserted through and engaged with slits formed in the two link members, whereby the link members are rotated by rotating the crankshaft so as to be able to move or adjust the movable member relative to the fixed means.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1986Date of Patent: November 1, 1988Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takaichi Nishino
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Patent number: 4772069Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable saddle mounting for cycle-type apparatus such as a cycle-type exerciser, a bicycle, a tricycle, or like apparatus having a saddle mounted on a seat post. The saddle is fastened to a slide member which is adjustably moveable lengthwise of a channel guide member mounted on the seat post. A latch pin is carried by the slide member and is spring-biased toward a locked position engaging a selected one of several detent recesses in the channel guide member. A gudgeon member is rotatably journaled in the slide member and has an external handle. Interengaging grooves on the gudgeon member and latch pin move the pin from its locked position when the handle is turned, enabling longitudinal adjustment of the saddle with the slide member.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1987Date of Patent: September 20, 1988Assignee: Schwinn Bicycle CompanyInventor: Eugene J. Szymski
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Patent number: 4721337Abstract: A motor-driven seat slide mechanism comprising a cushion assembly; spaced apart, first and second telescopically extendable guide rail structures one for each side of the cushion assembly, each of the telescopically extendable guide rail structures including upper and lower guide rail members connected one above the other for axial movement relative to each other, the upper and lower guide rail members being connected to the cushion assembly and a floor panel of an automobile body structure, respectively; an electrically powered drive motor; at least one gear box including a worm gear drivingly coupled with the drive motor and a worm wheel drivingly meshed with the worm gear; a releaseable bearing assembly rigidly connected to such upper rail member of the first telescopically extendable guide rail structure; a constraint member mounted on an automobile floor panel and having a threaded bore through which the screw shaft threadingly extends; and at least one screw shaft extending in a direction parallel to thType: GrantFiled: February 9, 1987Date of Patent: January 26, 1988Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventor: Toshihiko Tomita
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Patent number: 4574901Abstract: An improved seat for a wheelchair having a forward section for supporting the occupant's thigh areas and a rearward section hingedly attached to the forward section for supporting the occupant's buttocks area. The rearward section is attached to a linear actuator which moves the rearward section downward such that the occupant is aupported by the forward section of the seat and the back rest of the wheelchair, thus permitting air circulation around the buttocks area and blood circulation in the buttocks region to prevent breakdown of skin and flesh in the buttocks area. An automatic control is provided to periodically lower and raise the rearward seat section without attention of the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1985Date of Patent: March 11, 1986Inventor: Albert W. Joyner