Vertically Patents (Class 297/338)
  • Patent number: 11059402
    Abstract: The number of components required to restrict the movement of an operating section, when a cushion frame is moved in the height direction, and a link member, which is for moving the cushion frame, is reduced. The seat is provided with: a drive link that is rotatably attached to the cushion frame and that moves the cushion frame in the height direction according to rotation thereof; a gear part that engages with the drive link and that rotates the drive link; a link-rotation restricting member for restricting the rotation range of the drive link; an operating section that accepts an operation for adjusting the height of the cushion frame; and a rotation application section for rotating the drive link via the gear part according to the operating section. The movement of the operating section is restricted as a result of the link-rotation restricting member abutting against the rotation application section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tachikawa, Takatoshi Nakazawa, Naoto Nagasawa, Wataru Honda
  • Patent number: 10772428
    Abstract: A stool comprises a height-adjustable seat. The seat is coupled to a stem of the stool using a ball and socket mechanism. The ball and socket mechanism enables the seat to be tiltable up to 20 degrees in all directions about a vertical axis. The ball and socket mechanism aids in providing the seated individual with an increased range of motion. The range of tiltable motion can be adjusted using an adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Virco Mfg. Corporation
    Inventors: John Gregory, Jamie Toland
  • Patent number: 10653576
    Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a user of a toilet in standing up, includes a movable seat movably mounted to the toilet; and a seat actuator arranged adjacent to the toilet and actuating the movable seat to move having at least one of lifting movement and pivoting movement, the seat actuator including: a base frame adjacent to and stationarily mounted to the toilet; a driver mounted to the base frame; a driving frame driven to reciprocate by the driver; and a link assembly including a first side connected to the driving frame and a second side connected to a connection link coupled to the movable seat and producing lifting movement and pivoting movement of the movable seat in accordance with reciprocation of the driving frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventor: Soon Young Song
  • Patent number: 10556522
    Abstract: A height adjustment device of a motor vehicle seat and a method for the production thereof includes a transverse pipe and a pair of links. The transverse pipe has two end-side bearing regions which merge in a central region having a larger diameter and each link rests on a bearing region of the transverse pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOSITZE GMBH
    Inventors: Hosen Sulaiman, Jörg Völlmecke, Markus Schenke, Michael Schaper, Jens Witt
  • Patent number: 10358052
    Abstract: A seat lifter structure which can obtain a rotation of a sector with stable torques is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBH, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Mizukoshi, Masaki Shimazu, Taiji Misono, Hiroyuki Yasui, Motohiko Ozawa, Thomas D Novitsky
  • Patent number: 9457690
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a first adjustment portion which adjusts a position of a vehicle seat in a front/rear direction, a second adjustment portion which adjusts a position of the vehicle seat in an up/down direction, a third adjustment portion which adjusts a tilt angle of a seatback, and an operation input portion which is operated for performing a forward movement of the vehicle seat and a forward tilting operation of the seatback in an associated manner with each other, the forward movement of the vehicle seat being performed by the first adjustment portion and the forward tilting operation of the seatback being performed by the third adjustment portion, wherein the second adjustment portion starts performing a downward movement of the vehicle seat before the forward tilting operation of the seatback is performed after the operation of the operation input portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Soichiro Hozumi, Hitoshi Tsuzuki, Toshihiro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9179805
    Abstract: A detachable wall mounted shower seat enables a user to seat a young child to shower with the user while allowing a seat to rotate in order to provide the young child with greater access to different direction of water. The detachable wall mounted shower seat includes the seat with a seat frame where the seat frame is attached to a seat fabric. The user can place the young child on the seat fabric. The seat frame is attached to an upper seat bracket and a lower seat bracket which are attached to bracket plate can be attached to the wall in a manner that enables the seat to slightly recline, which is naturally relaxing to the young child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Melanie Spratt-Anderson
  • Patent number: 9016786
    Abstract: The invention relates to an item of seating furniture comprising a seat, a column, a base, a spring device for cushioning the up and down movement of the seat and a pendulum device for inducing a pendular response of the column by means of the seat, and a device for automatically adjusting the pendular return force in accordance with the weight of a person occupying the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Josef Glöckl
  • Publication number: 20150108807
    Abstract: A booster seat apparatus mounted to a chair is provided. The booster seat apparatus may include a lift assembly with a seat pad. The chair may be a salon or barber chair and may include a chair base frame, a chair back substantially perpendicular to the chair base frame, and a foot rest extending downward from the chair base frame. The lift assembly includes an expanded position and a compressed position. The expanded position includes an increased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame, and the compressed position includes a decreased distance between the seat pad and the chair base frame. Therefore, a child may be boosted upward on the chair without the need of an extra booster seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Semaj Jauron Wallace
  • Publication number: 20150084390
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a seat cushion having a seat cushion main body portion and seat cushion side portions that are disposed on both sides in a seat width direction of the seat cushion main body portion; a seat back having a seat back main body portion and seat back side portions that are disposed on both sides in the seat width direction of the seat back main body portion; and a varying mechanism supporting at least one of the seat cushion main body portion and the seat back main body portion, and varying the position of the seat cushion main body portion in a seat upward and downward direction relative to the seat cushion side portions, and/or varying the position of the seat back main body portion in a seat frontward and rearward direction relative to the seat back side portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Daisuke Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Matsuzawa, Hiroshi Kushiku
  • Publication number: 20150076880
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a modular vehicle seat frame is disclosed. The seat frame includes a first side module and a second side module which is arranged located opposite. A front, rear upper and middle cross brace are seat width-adaptably arranged between the side modules. Between the front and the rear cross brace a spring structure is stretched out, which spring-elastically supports a seat cushion of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Kuhley, Juergen Maier, Eduard Wolf, Michael Hoefgen-Allmann
  • Patent number: 8979188
    Abstract: The present invention is a single leg sitting device which has a collapsible leg which fits inside the seat for compact transportation or to turning the seat into a walking stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Walden Blaine Crabtree, Jr., Lee Thomas Gately
  • Publication number: 20150048663
    Abstract: The present invention is a single leg sitting device which has a collapsible leg which fits inside the seat for compact transportation or to turning the seat into a walking stick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Walden Blaine Crabtree, JR., Lee Thomas Gately
  • Publication number: 20150042139
    Abstract: A chair frame structure and method for making the same that allows efficient assembly without dependence on welding, provides reliable strength, and allows production costs to be reduced. The chair frame structure includes a gas spring receiving base into which an end of a gas spring is inserted and abutted is joined to a seat support base of a main seat support unit. The gas spring receiving base is joined to the seat support base using blind rivets applied at a plurality of positions by the operation performed from outside. Since the gas spring receiving base is joined using blind rivets without reliance on welding, it is possible to achieve an efficient, low-cost seat structure that provides adequate strength with a simple structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Fumio SUDOH
  • Publication number: 20150035333
    Abstract: An apparatus to lift persons includes: a base; wheels attached to the base; a vertical assembly including a fixed subassembly and a traveling subassembly; a mechanism such as an actuator that powers vertical movement of the traveling subassembly; a fork system attached to the traveling subassembly and comprises a pair of forks; and a substantially flat seat plate that is removably attached to the fork system and includes a pair of channels along opposite sides of the seat plate. The seat plate is removed from the fork system, placed onto the floor, and is then mounted by a person. The seat plate is reattached to the fork system by inserting the forks into the channels, and the actuator is activated to lift the person from the floor. The base and fork system may be pivotally attached to the fixed subassembly and traveling subassembly, respectively, so that the apparatus is collapsible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: ROBERT SCHY
  • Patent number: 8911013
    Abstract: A safety seat for a motor vehicle includes a seat unit and a back unit having an upper part and a lower part. The safety seat can be connected by way of the upper part to the structure of a motor vehicle, and the lower part can be dropped with respect to the upper part. The lower part is guided on the upper part and is connected to the upper part by at least one energy-absorbing support strap. The seat unit has a forward part connected in articulated fashion to the upper part of the back unit, and a rear part which is connected in articulated fashion to the lower part of the back unit. The rear part of the seat unit drops farther than the forward part of the seat unit when a force resulting from an accident or an explosion acts on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Schroth Safety Products GmbH
    Inventor: Wilko Reinck
  • Publication number: 20140300160
    Abstract: A seat operating device comprising: an operation member; a first clutch member that is connected to an adjusting mechanism, and in which is formed a first cut-out portion that opens outwardly in a rotation radial direction of the first clutch member; a second clutch member that is connected to another adjusting mechanism, and in which is formed a second cut-out portion that opens outwardly in a rotation radial direction of the second clutch member; and a switching member having a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that are positioned at mutually opposite sides across a rotational center. When the switching member is positioned at one end of a range of movement of the switching member, the first engaging portion engages with the first cut-out portion, and, when the switching member is positioned at another end of the range of movement, the second engaging portion engages with the second cut-out portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryohei Shigematsu, Takafumi Hirata, Miho Nakazono, Takeshi Nakamura, Hiroshi Yagame, Hironobu Okamura
  • Patent number: 8845560
    Abstract: A physical therapy chair. Implementations may include a seat bottom coupled to a chair base adjustable along a z axis. A seat back couples to the seat bottom at an angle to the axis. An arm support slidably couples to the seat back and is fixable at desired positions. An arm has first, second, and third arm portions. The first arm portion pivotally couples to the arm support, the second arm portion rotatably couples to the first arm portion, and the third arm portion rotatably couples to the second arm portion. A leg couples to the seat bottom and has upper and lower leg portions. The upper leg portion has an upper first portion and an upper second portion. The upper first portion pivotally couples to the seat bottom and slidably couples to the upper second portion which slides thereby to change a length of the upper leg portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Antonio Hernandez, Diego Vazquez, Javier Hernandez, Juan Carlos Valenzuela Gallardo, Marcos Galindo, Michelle Myrann, Joan Davis, Maureen Tiernan
  • Publication number: 20140232156
    Abstract: A number of bladders are stacked one upon another and in fluid flow communication with one another. A fluid introduced into one of the bladders causes that bladder and the remaining bladders to inflate with resulting increase in the height of the stack. An inflexible support panel is seated on top of the uppermost bladder. The panel may be attached to the uppermost bladder or may be detached from it. The panel has a flat upper surface which remains generally horizontal as the bladders inflate while the stack rests upon a flat horizontal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Jason Mills
  • Publication number: 20140062155
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat including: a seat cushion on which an occupant sits, and that supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant; a rotation portion that is provided at a location on the seat cushion that is contacted by the buttocks of the occupant, and that is capable of rising with respect to a seat face of the seat cushion, then rotating with the seat up-down direction as an axial direction, and descending after rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Honma, Daisuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8662459
    Abstract: A bag support apparatus has a first support member, a first arm slidably received in the first support member so as to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a second support member, and a second arm slidably received in the second support member so as to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The first arm is linked to the second arm such that a movement of the first support member toward the second support member causes the first and second arms to move toward the retracted position and such that a movement of the first support member away from the second support member causes and first and second arms to move to the extended position. A scissor mechanism is linked to the first and second support members and to the first and second arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: John Truitt
  • Patent number: 8651576
    Abstract: A multi-position seat for a kayak or other watercraft includes a seat frame and a pivotally connected back support. A pair of side elevation adjusters engages the seat frame on its lateral sides. Each adjuster includes a thumbwheel adjuster within an elevator traveler within a side frame, the traveler engaging a threaded shaft that is held in a fixed rotational position. The frame includes a tunnel structure associated with a front cross member. A strap passes through the tunnel, exits at lateral sides of the front cross member, and connects to lateral sides of the pivotally connected back support. The strap is user-adjustable in length so that the angle of the back to the seat is adjustable. The seat is thereby adjustable in angle front-to-back, can be canted left-to-right, changed in elevation, and the back support can be adjusted in angle and elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Swiss Cargo Industries S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Farber
  • Publication number: 20140021761
    Abstract: A system and method allow for a platform to be collapsed and moved in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a wall rail platform system disposed in a vehicle includes a collapsible platform. The collapsible platform has a position, which is a collapsed position or an un-collapsed position. The system also includes a rail and a carriage. The carriage is attached to the collapsible platform. The carriage is vertically moveable along the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: BLACK MOUNTAIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: BLACK MOUNTAIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130320731
    Abstract: A composite chair to provide multiple use states includes a frame and at least one carrying portion and one movable portion located on the frame. The movable portion includes a movable deck, two coupling members and an adjustment member. Each of the coupling members has a fastening end hinged on the frame and an action end hinged on the movable deck. The action end has a swivel displacement against the fastening end. The adjustment member includes two guide tracks extended along the movable deck, a linkage bar with two ends held in the guide tracks and two movable arms bridging the linkage bar and movable deck. The linkage bar is movable in the guide tracks to allow the coupling members in the swivel displacement to incorporate with the movable arms to drive the movable deck to move upwards and downwards against the carrying portion to change different use states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Lausan Chung-Hsin LIU, Shopo Hsin Tsu LIU, Fibro Tsu Kun LIU
  • Patent number: 8596651
    Abstract: A height adjustable work seat is disclosed. The work seat is collapsible and extendable, and has a base, a seat pan and four folding and lockable legs. Four wheels are mounted to the bottom of the base. The folding legs connect the seat pan to the base. Each folding leg pivots at the base, the seat pan and a center pivot. The seat pan is at a maximum height relative to the base with the four folding legs fully extended. The seat pan is at a minimum height relative to the base with the four folding legs fully folded. A releasable locking mechanism secures each of the folding legs in a fully extended condition. One or more crossbars may connect opposing sleeve locks, aiding in locking, unlocking, folding or extending the pair of legs between which each crossbar extends. The seat pan may have a seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: James D. Canova
  • Publication number: 20130207429
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle is configured such that an occupant can be seated in either a lower position or in an upper position. The seat includes a base member for accommodating an occupant in the lower position and a seat back, positioned to extend generally upwards from the region of the base member. The seat back is configured to accommodate an occupant's back. A selectively deployable perch member is also provided. In a first condition, the perch member is configured as an extension of the seat back for when the occupant is seated in the lower position. In a second condition, the perch member is configured as an additional base member for supporting an occupant in the upper position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: James Brooks Hoyle
  • Patent number: 8414074
    Abstract: A chair with articulable support sections and an integrated lift system may have support sections mechanically linked such that a single actuation control device may articulate multiple sections. The chair includes configurable accessories directed to the comfort of an occupant of the chair. The support sections may include air cells to adjust firmness of support section surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Kramer, Marshall S. Dahneke, Reed N. Wilcox, David T. Schwanemann, John P. Biondo, Francis C. Ganance, Scott A. Schultz, Russell L. Hardy, Troy D. Acton
  • Publication number: 20120319444
    Abstract: A sitting and standing chair includes a plurality of caster wheels, a floor plate, a seat rest, a back rest, and a leg rest all secured to a support member. The floor plate is attached to one side of the support member with a hinge to be folded downward to rest on the ground when the chair is used for standing. The floor plate is folded upward when the chair is used for sitting for being moved. The back rest is similarly attached to the support member so that it faces the seat rest when the chair is used for sitting and pivoted away from the seat rest when the chair is used for standing. The floor plate prevents the chair from moving while an individual leans against the leg rest and/or back rest while standing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Onopa
  • Publication number: 20120319445
    Abstract: A single input, multi-output drive system adapted for use, for example, with a power seat, includes an input power source, such as a PMDC motor, and at least one transmission further including a plurality of output elements shiftable between engaged and disengaged conditions relative to the source, so as to be selectively driven thereby, and drivenly coupled, for example, to various functions of the power seat, and a plurality of active material actuators drivenly and individually coupled to an associated one of the output elements, and configured to selectively engage the associated output element and input source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: DYNALLOY, INC.@@GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Aragorn Zolno, James Holbrook Brown, Nilesh D. Mankame
  • Patent number: 8328283
    Abstract: A chair with articulable support sections and an integrated lift system may have support sections mechanically linked such that a single actuation control device may articulate multiple sections. The chair includes configurable accessories directed to the comfort of an occupant of the chair. The support sections may include air cells to adjust firmness of support section surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Kramer, Marshall S. Dahneke, Reed N. Wilcox, David T. Schwanemann, John P. Biondo, Francis C. Ganance, Scott A. Schultz, Russell L. Hardy, Troy D. Acton
  • Publication number: 20120274113
    Abstract: The adjustable chair includes a support assembly, a support arm, a sleeve seat, a telescopic post and a backrest support. The support has a tube and a plurality of positioning holes longitudinally arranged in a row. The support arm connects between the tube and a cushion and has a positioning bolt selectively inserted into one of the positioning holes. The sleeve seat is bendingly connected to the tube and has an adjusting bolt. The telescopic post is slidably accommodated in the sleeve seat and provided with adjusting holes longitudinally arranged in a row for being selectively inserted by the adjusting bolt. The backrest support is connected to the telescopic post for connecting a backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Chao-Ken Chen
  • Patent number: 8267474
    Abstract: A portable self-contained pneumatic lift chair is provided with a motor operated compressor and controls for pumping air into a bladder and exhausting air from the bladder to raise and lower patients seated on the chair. The seat is guided up and down by loops on the seat surrounding guideposts extending upward on a base under hand operated controls. Braces between the posts are used to make the chair sturdy and can be adjusted to control the distance the chair is raised and lowered and, with post height and bladder size, used to control maximum and minimum height of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Valentine A. Fetisoff
  • Patent number: 8240765
    Abstract: A child's chair is disclosed having, in its most basic form, a frame having four legs, a seat having a bottom support and a back support, and a tray. To these basic components, numerous modifications can be made to customize features of the chair for enhancing safety and convenience, and/or adapting to additional possible uses. Each of the disclosed embodiments includes at least one of either an adjustable seat, an adjustable footrest, a center post mounted tray, a multiple position, single-hand adjustable tray, a concealed release button, and any combination of such features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Brook Kennedy, Jonathan Cedar, Colin Kelly, Troy Phipps, Ryan Vernon, Nicholas Oxley, Eric Freitag
  • Patent number: 8216114
    Abstract: An adjustable height exercise platform device having a platform that is removably secured between a pair of risers. The risers are held upright by an H-shaped horizontal base whose legs extend outward slightly to provide stability to the base. Each riser has spaced apart horizontal slots along its rear side for receiving one of two U-shaped bolts extending upward from the platform. Notches are cut out of the rear edge of the platform so that one of the U-shaped bolts straddles each notch. When the platform is attached to the risers, the U-shaped bolts rest in the slots and the two notches extend around the risers. One or more locking mechanisms are provided on the platform as a means of locking the platform and preventing the platform from being tilted in such a manner as to allow it to disengage from the risers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Clois M. Wynn, III
  • Publication number: 20120133184
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle seat with a seat upper part comprising a seat part and a back rest, and with a seat lower part, wherein between the seat upper part and the seat lower part is arranged a height-adjustable seat frame with at least two scissor arms connected rotatably together, wherein at least a first end of at least one of the scissor arms is connected with at least one slide element for sliding displacement of the first end in at least one displacement direction along at least one guide rail, wherein the slide element has at least one flexibly formed pressure force element to exert a pressure force directed against the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Frank HIMMELHUBER
  • Patent number: 8186754
    Abstract: A worker's body support includes a base assembly which is preferably made of two spaced channel members. An upright assembly also preferably made of two spaced channel members is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the base assembly. An angular adjustment structure is pivotally mounted to the base assembly and is selectively mounted to one of a number of different locations to the upright assembly to adjust the angular orientation of the upright assembly. A seat is mounted to the upright assembly and is movable to a plurality of different locations and orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Sharrow
  • Publication number: 20120049598
    Abstract: A seat lifter smoothly lifts and lowers right and left seat frames relative to respective base members so that a seat can be lifted and lowered smoothly. The seat lifter has first to fourth links (4a to 4d), and a coupling (6) that couples the first link (4a) and the second link (4b), and has a first sun gear (62) and a second sun gear (162). The first link (4a) has a first link body (41) that is coupled interlockably to a first planetary gear group (40) with a plurality of first planetary gears (44), and a planetary-gear operating section (5). The second link (4b) has a second link body (141) that is coupled interlockably to a second planetary gear group (140) with a plurality of second planetary gears (144).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Fujihara, Jun Fukuda, Yasukazu Oki
  • Publication number: 20120007341
    Abstract: A folding wheel chair having a pair of side frames 11 and 12, cross links 13 connecting said side frames each other, and a foldable seat 20 connected to the upper end of the cross links is provided. The seat 20 consists of a front right section 21, a front left section 22, a rear right section 23 and a rear left section 24. The front right and left sections are connected swingably to front edges of said rear right and left sections via a transverse axis X1 at the rear edges, and are connected swingably to the front portions of said cross links respectively via a transverse axis X2, the front right and rear right sections are connected swingably to the right edges of said front left and rear left sections via a longitudinal axis Y1 at the left edges, the rear right and left sections are connected to the cross links via a spring member 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Sadao MASAKI
  • Patent number: 8079097
    Abstract: A child's toilet training chair includes a seat supporting structure and an adjustable seat that can be positioned at an acute angle relative to the horizontal. The front section of the seat is pivotally attached to a front portion of the supporting structure and the rear portion of the seat is provided with at least one engagement member that releasably mates with one of a plurality of vertically-spaced receiving elements in the chair back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Diana Dorfman Deutsch
  • Publication number: 20110298263
    Abstract: An adjustable folding chair is configured to include a central chair portion defining a pair of seat back mounting sections, a pair of front leg mounting sections, a pair of rear leg mounting sections, and a seat surface. A seat back is mounted on the seat back mounting sections for vertical movement to position the seat back at a desired position above the seat. Front and rear leg extensions are mounted on the front and rear leg mounting sections for vertical movement. A locking mechanism is housed in a horizontal strut in the front and rear leg extensions to control the positioning thereof. The locking mechanism includes a pair of opposing spring-biased locking pins and an actuator connected thereto that projects from the strut for engagement by the user. Such a chair construction permits the seat surface to be oriented in a plurality of discrete positions for comfortable utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Allan Bateman, Cathie Capobianco
  • Patent number: 8070221
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an operating support that supports a surgeon in a sitting position straddling a patient. By straddling the patient, the surgeon is ideally positioned to perform certain types of laparoscopic surgery, such as pelvic surgery, which requires the use of relatively long surgical instruments. The operating support supports the surgeon in a more ergonomically correct position that reduces the stress and strain on the surgeon's body as compared to the conventional technique of performing laparoscopic surgery in a standing position at one side of the operating table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ethos Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Turner, John Economaki
  • Patent number: 8066624
    Abstract: An exercise chair includes a seat; a base having one or more base supports, the one or more base supports configured to contact a support surface; a seat support supporting the seat, pivotally connected to the base, and biased upward, the seat support including a fulcrum, and wherein downward pressure on the seat by a sitting user causes the fulcrum of the seat support to contact that support surface in addition to one or more of the one or more base supports, forcing the user to maintain a balanced posture on the seat in order to maintain the seat support in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: David K. Stroup
  • Publication number: 20110193383
    Abstract: Provided is a configuration for imparting at least partial body support to a user in multiple positions. The seating apparatus has a support structure holding a body supporting assembly that includes one member defining a seating surface and another member that can be configured to form an auxiliary body support surface essentially parallel to and at a different level than the seating surface. The different level can include at least one level that is below that of the seating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: GAYO LABS LTD.
    Inventors: Rami GUISSIN, Yonatan ARNON
  • Patent number: 7980519
    Abstract: A telescopic adjustable positioning device comprises an outer sleeve; a telescopic tube receiving into the outer sleeve at one end thereof and having a plurality of positioning holes; a retaining seat being a hollow tube and enclosing a connection of the outer sleeve and the telescopic tube; one side of the retaining seat being formed with a receiving portion; a slot being formed in the receiving portion; and a bottom side of the slot having a through hole which is smaller than the slot; a pin capable of passing through the retaining seat and the outer sleeve to be retained to the positioning hole of the telescopic tube; and an operation unit assembled to the receiving portion of the retaining seat. The pin is received in the slot and the through hole; and two springs are attached to the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Chao-Ken Chen
  • Patent number: 7959229
    Abstract: A seat may be obtained with good operability of plural operating members for operating plural adjustable units. A vehicle seat is provided with: a seat lifter, provided to a seat body for sitting on and adjustable by operation force transmitted from a first operating system; a reclining mechanism, provided to the seat body and adjustable by operation force transmitted from a second operating system; and an operation force imparting unit that is provided at a position where it is able to be operated by a seat occupant at a predetermined position on the seat body. The operation force imparting unit is able to independently take up a first state in which a lifter knob is operated and the seat lifter adjusted, and a second state in which the reclining lever is operated and the reclining mechanism adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Ishijima, Katsuya Ueda
  • Publication number: 20110115270
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension assembly affords both forward extension and vertical or tilt adjustment of the seat cushion independently of the backrest. The vehicle seat suspension assembly comprises a base, a support member slidably and pivotally mounted to the base, first and second latch devices, and first and second actuators. The seat support member has a front end that extends forward and away from the seat backrest as the support member slides horizontally and moves vertically upward as the support member pivots relative to the base. The first latch device is operatively associated with the base and seat support member and has horizontally spaced locking elements and a movable first latch cooperating with one of the locking elements o lock the support member in one of a plurality of horizontal positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Dale Ropp, Cole T. Brodersen
  • Publication number: 20110088155
    Abstract: A toilet seat elevates from a first elevation to a second elevation. If in the first elevation, the toilet bowl seat appears to be a normal toilet bowl seat. To elevate the toilet bowl seat the toilet bowl seat is guided in a slot and locked into an upper elevation and support legs depend downwardly from the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Neil Edwards
  • Publication number: 20110062753
    Abstract: A child's chair is disclosed having, in its most basic form, a frame having four legs, a seat having a bottom support and a back support, and a tray. To these basic components, numerous modifications can be made to customize features of the chair for enhancing safety and convenience, and/or adapting to additional possible uses. Each of the disclosed embodiments includes at least one of either an adjustable seat, an adjustable footrest, a center post mounted tray, a multiple position, single-hand adjustable tray, a concealed release button, and any combination of such features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Brook Kennedy, Jonathan Cedar, Colin Kelly, Troy Phipps, Ryan Vernon, Nicholas Oxley, Eric Freitag
  • Patent number: 7887136
    Abstract: A device (1) for supporting a human body comprising at least one support element (10) defining a cross-sectional area (50) and at least one longitudinal bar (13), whereby the support element (10) is positionable in height and depth. A support bar (11) for each of the at least one support elements (10) is directly connected to the at least one longitudinal bar (13). The support bar (11) extends at least partly along a first longitudinal axis (12) of the at least one support element (10) through the at least one support element (10). The support bar (11) is eccentrically arranged in the cross-sectional area (50) of the at least one support element (10). The invention furthermore discloses an application of the device (1) for supporting a human body in a working system (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Stefan Zoell
  • Publication number: 20110001342
    Abstract: What is shown is a vehicle seat having parts for carrying out a vibration movement in the height direction, with the parts comprising the following: a base part, a top part spring mounted relative to the base part, wherein a height adjustable connection frame comprising at least one first frame arm, at least one second frame arm and at least one spring element is arranged between the base part and the top part, wherein a motion sequence of the parts, which may be carried out in a vibration condition by applying a constant force onto the base part and/or the top part, may be varied in a further vibration condition by applying a variable force onto the base part and/or the top part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Johann Deml, Alexander Lorey