Interconnected With Back For Relative Concurrent Movement Patents (Class 297/340)
  • Publication number: 20100308633
    Abstract: Mechanism for regulating the preload of at least a stiffening spring (3) for a revolving element (2) with respect to at least a support frame (1) of a seating device, of the type comprising a mobile striker (7) for one end of said at least one spring (3), connected to said revolving element (2), and a regulating cursor (6, 10), onto which the other end of said at least one spring (3) rests, said regulating cursor (6, 10) being conceived to slide along a rod-shaped guide element (4), characterised in that said rod-shaped guide element (4) is connected, at one end thereof, in a sliding manner, to said mobile striker (7), and it is also integrally fixed to said support frame (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: DONATI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Armando Donati
  • Publication number: 20100295351
    Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronizing mechanism for a correlated seat-backrest movement of an office chair, said mechanism including a base support (1) that can be placed on a chair column, a seat support (3) and a backrest support (4). In order to provide a synchronizing mechanism, by means of which a high level of seating comfort can be achieved in an inexpensive manner, a mechanism is proposed where the backrest support (4) is connected to the base support (3) so as to be pivotable about a transverse axis (8) and has an entrainment means (9) that is in operative connection with the seat support (3) in such a manner that when the backrest carries out a pivoting movement (6) backward, the seat support (3) also performs a movement (13) backward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: BOCK 1 GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Hermann Bock
  • Publication number: 20100295353
    Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat back and seat cushion has a linkage system for moving the seat assembly between a seating position, a stowed position, and a stand-up position. The linkage system includes a support link and a drive link. The drive link urges the seat cushion between a raised position and a lowered position in response to pivoting the seat back from an upright position to a folded position. The drive link also urges a seat back bracket to pivot about a rearward end of the support link to maintain the seat back in a generally vertical orientation in response to pivoting the support link about a forward end, which pivots the seat cushion between the raised position and a generally vertical position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Omar D. Tame
  • Publication number: 20100283300
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat assembly frame, a seat and backrest subassembly having a seat pivotally mounted to the frame and a backrest pivotally connected at its lower end to the seat, and a link pivotally connected to the backrest and the frame. The seat and backrest subassembly is movable between a first position to facilitate operation of the vehicle while the driver is sitting and a second position to facilitate operation of the vehicle with the driver standing. When the seat and backrest subassembly is moved from the first position to the second position, the seat moves from a generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation and the backrest moves upward and forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis J. Gryp, Mark Copeland
  • Patent number: 7794017
    Abstract: A front portion of a seat 2 is connected to a base 6 by a front support link 7 and a first support shaft 8, and a rear portion of the seat 2 is connected to a rocking frame 11 by way of a rear support link 14. The first support shaft 8 is slidably fitted to the base 6. An upper portion of the backrest 3 is attached to an upper portion of a back frame 12. When a person is seated, the seat 2 is moved down and moved back, and a lumber support portion 17a of the backrest 3 is moved forwardly in cooperation with movement of the seat 2. Therefore, even when a person is shallowly seated on a chair, the waist portion of the person can precisely be supported. The cooperatively moving means includes a cooperatively moving link mechanism comprising a first through a fifth cooperatively moving link 43, 46, 48, 21 and 20. The third link 48 can be pivoted to return against an elasticity of a second returning spring 49. Therefore, a person is not hampered from being seated thereon deeply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Itoki Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kan, Katunori Hama, Tamio Sakurai, Yasuhiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7784871
    Abstract: An occupational support chair system and method that provides frontal support to a user. The support chair system includes a lower support frame composed of a dual section hydraulic frame and an upper support frame. The upper support frame can be configured as a spinal column associated with a number of individual locking segments. The upper support frame further includes a breast support and a removable chin support in order to provide frontal support to the user. An adjustable swivel seat can be attached to the upper support frame to relieve stress and fatigue stemming from prolonged periods of standing. The support chair system further includes a stabilizing base segment, which comprises retractable wheels and a housing for batteries, electrical and computer components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis Cochran
  • Publication number: 20100213745
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding armchair for conference halls, formed by a seat (1) and a backrest (2) articulated to one another and the assembly being arranged by means of articulations (9) between the seat (1) and side supports (5), rotation devices (10) being incorporated in the articulations (9), which rotation devices allow a free rotation in the direction of the swinging of the seat (1) towards a use position, but which in the direction of swinging towards an upward folded position determine a progressive damping of the rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: FIGUERAS INTERNATIONAL SEATING, S.A.
    Inventor: José Figueras Mitjans
  • Publication number: 20100201172
    Abstract: An aircraft seat a squab 6 and a backrest 8, both being movable, and a seat chassis 1, via which the seat can be fixed to a floor. A mechanism for moving the squab and the backrest has a linear runner 2 mounted on the seat chassis and a seat frame sub-frame 3 bearingly mounted on the linear runner. The squab is pivotally on the sub-frame substantially at its front edge and the backrest is pivotally mounted on the squab substantially at the back edge of the squab and the bottom of the backrest. The mechanism includes a linear drive 4 for extending (and retracting) the sub-frame on the runner with respect to the seat chassis between a retracted, TTL position and an extended position. A first cam track 12 in a first cam track member 11 fast with the seat chassis for adjusting the height of the back edge of the seat squab, the first cam track being generally parallel to the linear runner through the majority of its length and having a rearmost substantially vertical portion 31.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Roy Hudswell, Christopher Hankinson
  • Publication number: 20100176638
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a seat part with a backrest part that can be folded over in the direction of the seat part. The seat part with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction comprises a front seat part and a back seat part of which the front seat part for forming a base for the backrest part can be transferred into a forward folded position and the back seat part is stationarily arranged on a vehicle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Harald CZERWENSKI, Hans-Peter GIMBEL
  • Patent number: 7753429
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for use in a vehicle interior, and includes a frame and lower and upper bracket assemblies. The lower bracket assembly is connected to a lower portion of the frame, and selectively moves the frame in a longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle interior. The upper bracket assembly is connected to an upper portion of the frame, and has a slot which receives a selector pin for selectively pivoting the upper portion of the frame with respect to the lower portion of the frame. A moveable linkage is connected to the upper bracket assembly and moves the selector pin for adjusting between different passenger seating positions. An adjustment mechanism includes a lever for moving the moveable linkage via a cable. The seat assembly can include a deployable storage bin positioned between the bulkhead and a seat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
  • Publication number: 20100171343
    Abstract: A device for an adjustable piece of seating and reclining furniture with an adjustable angle between the seat and the back of the piece of furniture, wherein on each side of the piece of furniture there is located a fitting projecting upwards from its base, the seat being tiltable about a forward suspension point on the fitting, and the back being tiltable about a rear suspension point on the fitting, wherein the back upon tilting backwards causes the seat to tilt backwards in that a link is pivotally fastened to a rear part of the seat frame and pivotally fastened to a lower part of the back frame, the pivotal connection of the link to the back frame being located behind and below said rear suspension point. On an increase in the angle between the seat and the back, the angle that the neck rest of the piece of furniture forms with the back is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Svein Asbjornsen
  • Publication number: 20100140999
    Abstract: A seat for use in an aircraft having a floor is disclosed. The seat has a support assembly adapted to be secured to the floor, a seat having a central portion and a rear portion, a seat back pivotably coupled to the support assembly for movement between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the support assembly. A pivot assembly couples the central portion of the seat to the support assembly for permitting the seat to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the support assembly. A connector assembly couples the rear portion of the seat to the seat back for causing the rear portion of the seat to pivot downwardly about the pivot axis in unison with the seat back as the seat back moves from the upright position to the reclined position A method of construction of an aircraft seat frame is also disclosed. An armrest for an aircraft seat is further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Burkley U Kladde
  • Patent number: 7731288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle seat (2) comprising a seat part (6) which may be moved by means of a seat part mechanism (20) from an operating position into a non-operating position, a backrest (4) which may be swiveled by means of a backrest mechanism (8) about a swivel pin (10) in the direction of the seat part (6), and a coupling element (44) for coupling the movement of the backrest (4) to the movement of the seat part (6), the coupling element (44) cooperating with the backrest mechanism (8) and the seat part mechanism (20) such that the coupling element (44) exerts a tensile force on the seat part mechanism (20), in order to move the seat part (6) from the operating position into the non-operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Seating Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ventura, Bernd Winkelhake
  • Patent number: 7722114
    Abstract: A zero gravity wall hugger recliner having a motor drive, seat and backrest assembly that move back and forth on a trolley mounted on the chair base when the seat and backrest assembly move forward with the trolley on the chair base. A bracket attached between the base and seat moves the assembly from an upright to a reclined position. The recliner has a leg rest driven by a control bar attached between the leg rest and bracket for elevation the leg rest when the trolley moves forward and retracts the leg rest when the trolley moves to the rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Jobri LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel Smith
  • Publication number: 20100109387
    Abstract: A seat and a seat system for a means of transport. The seat includes a seat surface, a backrest, and an adjustable leg support and/or foot support arranged in the region in front of the seat surface. The leg support and/or foot support is configured to be divided in the longitudinal direction into two parts, and the two parts are configured to be adjustable separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Lufthansa Technik AG
    Inventor: Harald MERENSKY
  • Publication number: 20100084904
    Abstract: A seat (10) having a seat panel (12) and a backrest (14) is described. The seat panel (12) is connected to a base device (16) by means of a first connecting device 18). The backrest (14) is connected to the seat panel (12) by means of a second correcting device (20). The first connecting device (18) comprises a pair of front and a pair of rear connecting levers (22, 24). The front connecting levers (22) are longer than the rear connecting levers (24). The rear connecting levers (24) are designed with an angled extension (34) so as to form toggle levers. The second connecting device (20) comprises a pair of rod elements (36) which are mounted in a pivotable and linearly movable manner on the seat panel (12) by way of their front end (38) and which are connected in a pivotable manner to the angled extension (34) of the rear connecting levers (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: SATO OFFICE GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Erker
  • Patent number: 7686324
    Abstract: A seat plate folding mechanism provided in a wheelchair or in a transfer device used to transfer of a person between a wheelchair and a bed etc. The mechanism enables easier transfer of a person with crippled limb between a wheelchair and bed, toilet seat, etc. The seat plates are folded, with the surfaces vertically set, to the sides of the occupant, to more rear-upward than an extended position. More particularly, the seat plate folding mechanism has stays whose base end sides are pivotally supported at side frames of a frame and has seat plates, one side of each of which is supported and connected at the head of a stay so as to be pivotable about a front-back shaft. The seat plates are folded by compound motion of swing of the stays and swing of the seat plates, the swing of the stay occurring at the section where the stay is pivotally supported at a side frame, the swing of a seat plate occurring at the section where the seat plate is supported and connected at the stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Takao Nishi
  • Publication number: 20100066146
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular a commercial vehicle seat, is provided with a scissor-type stand (3) with a seat frame (10) that is articulated thereto by a pivoting axis (B), the seat frame being able to incline in relation to the scissor-type stand (3), and a back rest (20) that is attached to the seat frame (10). The seat frame (10) is articulated directly to the scissor-type stand (3) and is connected in an articulated manner to the scissor-type frame (3) by at least one three-hinged element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Weber, Christof Nieroba, Thorsten Schweizer, Rüdiger Nissen, Thomas Gundall
  • Patent number: 7677663
    Abstract: An assembly for safely supporting an occupant in a vehicle such as, but not limited to, a watercraft and including a seat assembly and a support frame. A connector assembly is disposed and structured to movably interconnect the seat assembly to said support frame along a first rotational axis. A mount assembly is connected to the vehicle and includes an attachment assembly disposed and structured to movably interconnect the support frame to the mount assembly along a second rotational axis. The support frame and the connector assembly associated therewith as well as the mount assembly and the attachment assembly associated therewith are cooperatively disposed and structured to orient said first and second rotational axes in substantially perpendicular relation to one another, such that the seat assembly will be able to move in a substantially gimbal-like fashion relative to the movement of the vehicle while traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventors: David Charles, Anthony Charles, legal representative, Jose Abella, Wayne Wingate
  • Publication number: 20100031866
    Abstract: A movable seat and backrest are coupled by a pivoted link system, allowing the seat to pivot from a raised stowed position to a lowered use position. A connecting link is coupled to one of the pivoted seat links, such that, as the seat is lowered, the connecting link raises the backrest. When the seat is raised to a stowed position, the connecting link lowers the backrest to a lowered position. When mounted in a vessel, the backrest forms part of the bolster system when the seat is stowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: S2 Yachts Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce F. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7658360
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes multiple lock portions provided at the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a lock member provided at the upper rail and rotating about a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail so as to be engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions, and a bracket for supporting the lock member in a direction of the rotation axis. The seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle further includes a deflection preventing member for preventing a deflection of the bracket in the direction of the rotation axis and being integrally provided at the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Publication number: 20090267315
    Abstract: A seat (14), particularly but not exclusively for a wheelchair, comprises a bottom rest (13, 60), a back rest support (18) rotatable relative to the bottom rest about an axis of rotation (100); and a back rest (22) slidably mounted on the back rest support and moveable therealong to vary its position relative to the bottom rest. The back rest is kinematically linked to the bottom rest such that the back rest moves nearer to the axis of rotation as the angle between the back rest support and the bottom rest increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Specmat Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Paul Suddaby, Sean Patrick Nelson
  • Publication number: 20090242700
    Abstract: A seat comprising a seat pan (12) and a support structure, wherein the seat pan (12) is pivotally coupled to the support structure (8) about a first pivot axis (pi) provided across substantially the front of the seat pan (12), such that the seat pan (12) may be pivoted about the said first pivot axis (pi) in use, and the angle of the seat pan (12) relative to the support structure (18) may thus be adjusted. The seat further comprises a backrest (14), the backrest being coupled (p2) to substantially the rear of the seat pan (p2). Also provided is pneumatic apparatus for use with a seat, comprising one or more inflatable cushions for supporting a user in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Patrick Raymond
  • Publication number: 20090243358
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a vehicle seating arrangement includes a fore-facing lower seat convertible between a sitting position and a lie flat sleeping position in a lower horizontal plane, an aft-facing lower seat convertible between a sitting position and a lie flat sleeping position in the lower horizontal plane, and a fore-facing upper seat positioned between the fore-facing lower seat and aft-facing lower seat, the fore-facing upper seat convertible between a sitting position and a lie flat sleeping position in an upper horizontal plane. The seats may be arranged so that portions of the fore-facing lower seat and aft-facing lower seat underlap the fore-facing upper seat when the seats are positioned in the lie-flat sleeping position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Robert J. Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20090236880
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for use in a vehicle interior, and includes a frame and lower and upper bracket assemblies. The lower bracket assembly is connected to a lower portion of the frame, and selectively moves the frame in a longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle interior. The upper bracket assembly is connected to an upper portion of the frame, and has a slot which receives a selector pin for selectively pivoting the upper portion of the frame with respect to the lower portion of the frame. A moveable linkage is connected to the upper bracket assembly and moves the selector pin for adjusting between different passenger seating positions. An adjustment mechanism includes a lever for moving the moveable linkage via a cable. The seat assembly can include a deployable storage bin positioned between the bulkhead and a seat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
  • Patent number: 7578797
    Abstract: A seating system for providing spinal motion and support. The system comprising a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a user, a moving apparatus supplying a motive force, wherein the moving apparatus is adjacent to the buttocks and thighs of the user and is powered by the lower extremities of the user, a force applying structure disposed between the static structure and the back of the user, the force applying apparatus including a back engaging surface for increasing and decreasing a force applied to the back of the user in response to the supplied motive force, and a structure for locking the moving apparatus in place. Various embodiments of moving apparatus, force applying structure, and locking and/or motion limiting structure are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Rowland G. Hazard
  • Publication number: 20090167068
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that includes a support base, a seat back tiltably supported on the support base, a seat cushion, a first link and a second link. Each of the first and second links is pivotally coupled to the support base and the seat cushion, so that a quadrant link mechanism is formed by the support base, the seat cushion, the first link and the second link. A coupling device couples the seat back to the first link, so that the first link can pivot relative to the support base and the seat cushion in response to the tilting movement of the seat back. The tilting movement of the seat back causes the seat cushion to shift toward the support base, while a coupling point between the first link and the seat cushion and a coupling point between the second link and the seat cushion move substantially in the same direction relative to the support base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20090167046
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a support base, a seat back tiltably supported on the support base, a seat cushion, a first link and a second link. Each of the first and second links is pivotally coupled to the support base and the seat cushion, so that a quadrant link mechanism is formed by the support base, the seat cushion, the first link and the second link. A coupling device couples the seat back to the first link at a position between a first coupling point and a second coupling point. The first coupling point couples the first link to the seat cushion, and the second coupling point couples the first link to the support base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsuhiro YAMAGISHI
  • Publication number: 20090058159
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat cushion, a seat bag, a lock mechanism and a belt anchor. The seat cushion has a cushion frame. The seat bag has a back frame that is rotatably connected to the cushion frame. The lock mechanism is provided on each of the frames, and latch-connected to a striker at a vehicle side. The belt anchor is provided on one of the two frames, and is fastened with a seat belt. A force transmission structure is provided between the two frames, in which when the seat belt is pulled forward, so that a member between the belt anchor and the striker is deformed, a member at a side of the one frame pushes a member at a side of the other frame, thereby force is transmitted from the one frame side to the other frame side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji OKUDA, Osamu FUJIMOTO, Masatoshi HANDA
  • Patent number: 7490904
    Abstract: A device that can be attached to any existing reclining type device such as chairs and beds that will eliminate shear forces on the user's body regardless of the level of movement. The primary components of the device are a seat plate, a seat slide plate, a back plate and a back slide plate. The back slide plate is pivotally attached to the seat plate. The seat slide plate is pivotally attached to the back plate. Pivoting the back plate with respect to the seat plate engages the pivotally attached seat slide plate and the pivotally attached back slide plate toward or away from each other depending on the starting position. The engagement of the slide plates mirrors the movement of the occupant in both the recline to horizontal position or the return to upright to vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Mark G. Hogg
  • Patent number: 7481494
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a seat and a back that are pivotally supported in two side members and are kinematically interconnected in such manner that an angle between the seat and the back will increase when the back is swivelled backwards about its pivotal support in the side members, which kinematic connection comprises a link connection between the seat and the back. The link connection is in the form of a link arm arranged under the respective pivot supports of the seat and the back so that the distance between the back pivot support and the back link arm connection is less than the distance between the seat pivot support and the seat link arm connection, and that the axis of rotation of the seat through the seat's pivot support in the side members passes essentially through or close to the user's center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Handicare Produksjon AS
    Inventor: Morten Sagstuen
  • Patent number: 7478882
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat comprising a backrest which can be moved from at least one position of use wherein it protects the back of the passenger, to a seating surface of the motor vehicle seat, an upholstery carrier which receives the seat upholstery which defines the seating surface and the place where the passenger can sit, and a coupling element which enables the backrest to be coupled to the upholstery carrier in such a manner that said support is displaced when the backrest is moved, especially lowered and/or displaced in the longitudinal direction of the seat. According to the invention, the coupling element is elastically mounted by means of an elastic element in such a manner that when the backrest is moved, the elastic element is initially deformed before the coupling element can act upon the upholstery carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Matthias Fischer, Jochen Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20090015049
    Abstract: In an automobile having a seat cushion supporting the hip, and a seat back supporting the back, of a seated person wherein the seat back in its use position with the seat cushion folded thereon is lifted up to its non-use position in an upper part of the cabin, the seat back when moved from the use position to the non-use position is prevented from interfering with a seat disposed in its front. There is a guide means for guiding the seat back 12 so that it moves rearwards gradually when it is moved from the use position to the non-use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicants: KANTO AUTO WORKS, LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Kanamori, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20090015050
    Abstract: An articulating massaging chair is provided that includes: a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot. Also provided is an articulating chair that includes: a support frame; a seat connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; a backrest connected to and rotatable relative to the support frame; and a linking arm having a first end connected to the backrest and a second end connected to the seat; wherein the backrest and the seat are rotatable relative to the support frame in the same angular direction, and the backrest is rotatable relative to the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Hans Dehli
  • Patent number: 7472957
    Abstract: A passenger seat assembly for a vehicle, particularly an aircraft, which is adapted to provide self-contained, individual seating and sleeping accommodation for a passenger, said seating assembly including a supporting structure (42) for supporting said assembly off the floor of a vehicle; one or more movable, passenger-bearing, structural components (71,72); and means for connecting said movable, structural components to said structure such that said components can be selectively moved between a seat configuration, in which a plurality of passenger-bearing surfaces on said one or more structural, movable components (71,71) or said supporting structure form a seat for the passenger, and a bed configuration, in which a plurality of said bearing surfaces (47,48,67,74,76) are disposed substantially coplanarly and substantially contiguously to form a bed for the passenger; characterized in that at least one of said movable components (72) is double-sided, comprising first and second opposite sides, one of said si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited
    Inventors: David Ferry, Adam Bernard Wells, Luke Miles, Andrew Leslie Lawler, David Edward Starkey, Simon Frederick Mills, Gary Doy
  • Publication number: 20090001795
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion and seat back for supporting an occupant above a floor in a motor vehicle. The seat back is operatively mounted for pivotal movement relative to the seat cushion between an upright seating position and a rearwardly folded bed flat position. A guide link slidably engages the seat cushion for guiding and supporting the seat cushion between a seating position and a raised position. A drive link couples the seat back to the seat cushion for automatically moving the seat cushion between the seating and raised positions, wherein the seat cushion is aligned horizontally level with the seat back, in response to pivoting the seat back between the upright seating position and the rearwardly folded bed flat position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Robert I. Homier, Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20080309136
    Abstract: A seat device for a vehicle includes a lower frame, a slide mechanism, a reclining mechanism for supporting a seatback relative to a seat cushion with a reclined angle and holding the seatback to a predetermined position, a slide lock mechanism for restricting the movement of the lower frame and holding a seat to a predetermined position relative to a vehicle floor and a walk-in mechanism disposed between the reclining mechanism and the slide lock mechanism for releasing the restriction of the movement of the lower frame by operating the slide lock mechanism in association with the reclining movement of the seat. The walk-in mechanism includes a first link rotatably supported by the shaft member and operatively connected to the reclining mechanism and the slide lock mechanism to transmit a power from the reclining operation of the seatback to the slide lock operation of the slide lock mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7434883
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat frame (3) with upper rails (5) that are adjustable on vehicle-integrated upper rails (6) in the longitudinal direction and a backrest (8) that is locked on a seat frame-integrated component (4) using inclination adjusters, wherein the vehicle seat (1) can be moved from a utilization position into an easy-entry position by folding the backrest (8) forward into a partially forward-folded position and longitudinal movement of the seat frame (3) from a utilization zone forward into and easy-entry zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Deptolla
  • Publication number: 20080211282
    Abstract: A seat assembly is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle floor and includes a seat back (16) and a seat cushion (12). The seat back is pivotally coupled to a support bracket (50) mounted to the floor. A fold flat mechanism (58) includes a transfer link (60) pivotally coupled to the support bracket, a seat cushion link (68) coupled between the seat cushion and the transfer link, and a seat back link (76) coupled between the seat back and the transfer link for transferring pivotal movement of the seat back through the transfer link to the seat cushion link to automatically move the seat assembly between a seating position wherein the seat back is in an upright position and the seat cushion is spaced above the floor, and a stowed position wherein the seat back is pivoted to a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion and the seat cushion is lying flat against the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin J. Ventura
  • Patent number: 7410215
    Abstract: An articulating massaging chair is provided that includes a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Human Touch, LLC.
    Inventor: Hans Dehli
  • Patent number: 7401858
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for discovering mobile collaborators on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Each collaborator is identified on the P2P network by a unique ID. Each collaborator may also be identified by an identity file posted on the P2P network. Collaboration applications may include any of a variety of applications involving the exchange of information between 2 or more collaborators, such as voice over IP (VoIP). Dynamic file querying can be performed to filter the identity files most relevant to a particular peer partner. Web services are used end-to-end between P2P mobile devices and also between devices and third party service providers. Search engines use self-provisioning concepts for searches and WEB services querying. End-user devices register their personal information on P2P networks using identity self-provisioning and WEB services templates for a variety of uses, such as personal, gaming or business.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Manplus Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20080136239
    Abstract: A synchronizing mechanism for a correlated seat/backrest movement of an office chair has a base carrier, which can be placed on a chair column, a seat carrier and a backrest carrier. In order to provide a synchronizing mechanism in which there is no need to adjust a spring force in order to change the “pivoting resistance” of the backrest, the backrest carrier, which can be pivoted about a transverse spindle, is connected on the one hand to the base carrier, via a first link, and on the other hand to the seat carrier, via a second link, such that a pivoting movement of the backrest in the rearward direction induces a raising movement of the rear region of the seat carrier, and that the seat carrier is connected to the base carrier such that a raising movement of the forward region of the seat carrier takes place at the same time. A basic idea of the invention is that the user of the office chair “raises” itself upwards by subjecting the backrest itself to loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Bock 1 GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hermann Bock
  • Patent number: 7367625
    Abstract: A retractable seat may include a seat cushion and a seat back rotatably supported on the seat cushion in which one of the seat cushion and the seat back is arranged and constructed to be folded onto the other of the seat cushion and the seat back. At least one of the seat cushion and the seat back includes a frame, a cushion pad, and a linking mechanism. The frame includes a framework and a support member that supports the cushion pad from a backside of the cushion pad. The linking mechanism movably interconnects the framework and the support member and is arranged and constructed to move the support member toward a backside of the at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back when the seat cushion or the seat back is tilted toward a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Mori, Masao Miura, Yoshihiro Ohishi
  • Publication number: 20080084102
    Abstract: A seating furniture item, in particular an office chair, has a seat fastened on a seat support and a backrest fastened to a backrest support, the backrest support being articulatedly arranged on a base support and the backrest support and the seat support being articulatedly connected with each other via two levers, and in which one of the two levers is positively guided directly on the base support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Werner Link
  • Patent number: 7273254
    Abstract: The invention is intended to improve operability of a seat unit in a process of turning it from an approximately horizontal storage position to a seating position. An upper end of a seatback (SB) in its seating position and a rear end of a seat cushion (SC) are joined together by a string (23), and two helical springs (biasing members) are provided at a forward portion of the seat cushion (SC). The first helical spring (39) exerts an upward biasing force which is smaller than the weight of the seat cushion (SC) against the seat cushion (SC), while the second helical spring (38) exerts an upward biasing force which is larger than the weight of the seat cushion (SC) against the seat cushion (SC). With this arrangement, a rear portion of the seat cushion (SC) is lifted when the seat is turned from the seating position to the storage position, and a small force is needed for lifting the seat cushion (SC) when it is turned in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Fujita, Kousei Nakano
  • Patent number: 7252336
    Abstract: A seat (11) having a seat cushion (12) and a squab (16), the seat (11) being adjustable between a first configuration adapted to provide seating accommodation for a user and a second configuration adapted to provide leaning accommodation for a user, wherein in the second configuration, the squab (16) is positioned forwardly of its position in the first configuration and substantially above the forward most position of the seat cushion (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew Stephen Frisina
  • Patent number: 7210740
    Abstract: A reclining chair, in particular a passenger chair, for use in a vehicle such as an aircraft, bus or mobile home. The chair includes a base assembly, a seat frame located above the base assembly, a seat attached to the seat frame, and a seat back connected to the seat frame. In various embodiments, the chair includes features such as an energy absorbing base assembly, an adjustable arm rest, a fully reclining seat back and a seat that increases its angle with respect to the horizontal as the seat back reclines, thereby forcing one back into the chair. The seat and seat back is also capable of achieving a fully horizontal position when the seat back is fully reclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Sreekanth Chintapudi, Pedro Meneses
  • Patent number: 7207629
    Abstract: A tilt chair having a foot adapted to be supported by a support surface and a first leg pivotally mounted to the foot. A second leg is pivotally mounted to the first leg. A moveable support member is mounted to the second leg and is adapted to be supported by the support surface. The moveably support member is moveable in a first and second direction toward and away from the foot respectively as the first leg pivots relative to the second leg and as the first leg pivots relative to the foot. In one embodiment, the moveable support member is configured as a wheel. In one embodiment, a lower back member has a lower end pivotally mounted to the first leg and an upper back member pivotally mounted to an upper end of the lower back member. A restraining link is pivotally mounted between the lower back member and the second leg. An upper back link has a lower end pivotally mounted to the first leg and an upper end pivotally mounted to the upper back member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Goetz, Robert L. Beck, Joel R. Dral, Robert W. Roth
  • Patent number: 7156463
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has a pivoted backrest that can be swung forward in the direction of a seating of the seat, a longitudinal seat adjuster for adjusting the longitudinal position of the seat, a locking device of the longitudinal seat adjuster for locking a longitudinal seat position previously adjusted, and an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the locking device, and a flexible traction device via which the unlocking mechanism is coupled with the backrest so that the locking device is unlocked when the backrest is swung forward. An actuation element acts upon the traction device with a force component at an angle to the direction of extension of the traction device when the backrest is swung forward, thereby tightening the traction device and unlocking the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Werner Taubmann, Thomas Hein
  • Patent number: 7152921
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a seat cushion assembly, a seat back assembly, and a seat track assembly for supporting the seat cushion assembly and the seat back assembly in a vehicle. The seat cushion and seat back assemblies being movable to a stadium position such that the seat cushion and seat back assemblies are in a substantially upright position so that an area behind the seat is easily accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Mohammad Saberan