Movable Back Patents (Class 297/353)
  • Patent number: 11918126
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a window structure for visualizing the internal structure of upholstered furniture and including abase, a side surface of the base is provided with installation grooves, inner walls of the installation grooves are provided with transparent windows, an inner wall of the base is equipped with a seat board, a top surface of the seat board is equipped with a shaping layer, and a top surface of the shaping layer is equipped with an elastic layer. An outer layer, the elastic layer and the shaping layer can improve the comfort of the user; an elastomer layer has good impact resistance, always returns to shape and is not easy to be damaged, can improve the service life of the present disclosure; through the transparent windows, a user can conveniently view the internal structure of the present disclosure; the ventilation grooves play the role of ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: IGO FURNITURE (GAO AN) LIMITED
    Inventor: Chi-Po Law
  • Patent number: 11800933
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to improved chair assemblies that can be integrated with various technologies, including heating, massaging technologies, cooling, and other technologies. Various portions of the chair assemblies include attachment structures that permit electronic assemblies to be attached and removed from the chair assemblies. The electronic assemblies can include electronics that facilitate heat therapy, massage therapy, and/or cooling therapy functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Exemplis LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Mazlish
  • Patent number: 11744375
    Abstract: A seating configuration is described. The seating configuration includes a seat. The seat includes a feature to retain a user in a specific position on the seat. The seating configuration includes a first back support. The first back support is positioned adjacent a posterior pelvic area of the user. The seating configuration includes a second back support. The second back support is positioned adjacent to the thoracic area of the user. The seat, the first back support, and the second back support together can be configured to create a natural alignment of a spinal column of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Anthro Form, LLC
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Patent number: 11583082
    Abstract: A seating arrangement includes a rigid back frame, a flexible back shell coupled to the back frame and including a pair of vertical side portions and at least two strap portions extending laterally between the side portions and including a forwardly-facing surface configured to support a back of a seated user, the at least two strap portions including a lowermost strap portion, the lowermost strap portion configured to deflect a first distance when a rearwardly-directed force is exerted on the lowermost strap portion by a seated user, and a lumbar assembly supported from the back frame and configured to support the lumbar region of a back of a seated user, the lumbar assembly configured to deflect a second distance when the rearwardly-directed force is exerted on the lumbar assembly by a seated user, wherein the first distance and the second distance are substantially similar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Mark Vander Veen
  • Patent number: 11096496
    Abstract: A therapeutic chair with an adjustable backrest and cushioned fulcrum pad allows users to extend their thoracic spine over the fulcrum of the adjustable chair back. The device allows the individual to sit on the chair and adjust the height of the backrest so the fulcrum is matched to the patient's need for movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Hugh Charles Murray
  • Patent number: 11077824
    Abstract: A vehicle theft prevention device includes: a device control unit that starts, when performing exit processing for causing a vehicle to move from a parking position to a user position by an autonomous driving control of the vehicle in response to an exit instruction to the vehicle from a terminal of the user outside the vehicle, performing first change processing for changing a state of facilities in a vehicle cabin of the vehicle from a theft prevention state in which theft of the vehicle and articles in the vehicle cabin is prevented to a normal state in which the vehicle is able to be driven by the user such that the first change processing ends when the vehicle arrives at the user position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosuke Takata
  • Patent number: 11051623
    Abstract: A backrest device includes a backrest carrier having a support arm, a backrest mounted on the support arm, and an actuator that is adjustable between a blocking position and a movement position. The support arm is equipped with a latching row. The backrest is movable along the support arm. The actuator is connected to the backrest and has an engaging piece. In the blocking position, the engaging piece is engaged with the latching row, so that a movement of the backrest along the support arm is blocked. In the movement position, the engaging piece is disengaged from the latching row, so that the backrest is movable along the support arm. The actuator is manufactured in one piece from an elastic material, in the movement position the actuator being elastically deformed by a manually applied force, so that the engaging piece is moved out of the latching row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: VITRA PATENTE AG
    Inventor: Thomas Kamber
  • Patent number: 11051621
    Abstract: An actuator device is disclosed that permits a first element to be moved linearly, in particular quasi-vertically, relative to a second element. The actuator device may be provided, in particular, for a vertical movement of a backrest, for example in a piece of seating furniture such as an office chair. The actuator device includes a displacement profile within a guide housing and a locking element. The displacement profile includes a latching row and the locking element is configured for engagement with the latching row. In a latching position, the locking element is resiliently rotated into the latching row of the displacement profile, and rotates back and forth when the displacement profile moves in a first direction with respect to the guide housing. In a release position, the locking element is rotated into a retaining position until it is disengaged from the latching row of the displacement profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: VITRA PATENTE AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bieling, Thomas Schneider
  • Patent number: 10973332
    Abstract: An adjustable chair can support an occupant that sits on a front portion of a seat cushion. When the user leans back, the chair can provide back support without requiring that the user slide rearwardly along the seat cushion, thereby providing back support to minimize, limit, or substantially eliminate lower back fatigue, discomfort, or the like. A back support of the chair can be located at a desired forward/rearward position based on the user's position on the seat. In some settings, the chair can be used by a card dealer who tends to sit on a forward portion of the seat when dealing cards. The back support can be positioned to comfortably support the dealer's back when, for example, the dealer sits generally upright. The chair can also be used by other individuals that frequently sit on the front of the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: InkBed, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Richardson
  • Patent number: 10899259
    Abstract: A headrest guide assembly is provided for use with a headrest having a headrest rod. The headrest guide assembly includes a guide sleeve body for receiving the headrest rod and a lock assembly for selectively locking the headrest rod in the guide sleeve body. The lock assembly may include an engagement member that is engageable with the headrest rod, and a first biasing member that is configured to bias the engagement member in a first direction for engagement with the headrest rod. The lock assembly may further comprise a button that is engageable with the engagement member for moving the engagement member in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a second biasing member that is configured to bias the button away from the engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Johannes Krimmer
  • Patent number: 10807504
    Abstract: A seating system comprises a plurality of seating assemblies having first and second-row seating assemblies. Each seating assembly includes a cradle pivotally coupled to a seat base and to a seatback. The seat base is movable between first and second positions. The seating assembly includes a base having first and second supports and a swivel plate assembly including first and second frames. The first frame is coupled to the cradle, and the second frame is coupled to the base. The swivel plate assembly includes first and second swivel plates, the first swivel plate coupled to the first frame and the second swivel plate coupled to the second frame. The first swivel plate is configured to allow the cradle to rotate between first and second positions relative to the base. The seating system includes a track assembly. The first and second supports of the base are slidably coupled to the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Daniel Ferretti, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Jerry R. Brown, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 10455946
    Abstract: A backrest height adjusting device includes a fixing seat fixed in relation to a chair seat and having at least one fixing post. A backrest includes at least one coupling sleeve coupled with the at least one fixing post. At least one gear is rotatably mounted to the fixing block fixed on the backrest and is coupled with a plurality of positioning grooves on the at least one fixing post. An elastic element biases a movable block to move relative to the fixing block in a vertical direction and biases the movable block to mesh with the at least one gear to retain the backrest in a selected height relative to the fixing seat. The movable block is actuatable to disengage from the plurality of teeth of the at least one gear to thereby permit the backrest to move in the vertical direction relative to the fixing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Chih-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 10427556
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom coupled to floor of a vehicle and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the seat bottom. The seat back includes a backrest and a backrest adjuster configured to move relative to the backrest to change a shape of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Bortolon, John D. Newberry, John M. Perraut
  • Patent number: 10377273
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; a seat back; a frame; a headrest which is provided on an upper end portion of the frame; and a reclining portion wherein: the reclining portion includes: a link supporting the seat back at a swing end section; a sector gear rotated integrally with the link; a lock unit configured to move between an engaging position and a disengaging position for releasing from the engagement with the sector gear and configured to unrotatably hold the sector gear at the engaging position; and a biasing section biasing the lock unit toward the engaging position; and the lock unit includes: a pinion gear meshing with the sector gear at the engaging position and allowing rotation of the sector gear by rotating in a state of meshing with the sector gear; and a gear holding part configured to unrotatably hold the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Toda, Atsushi Koike, Takuto Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10292880
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a transport aid which can be quickly assembled, disassembled, and adjusted in width, and includes two support members, a chair seat and two horizontal assembly frames, wherein the horizontal assembly frames are disposed on left and right sides of the chair seat, respectively, and each includes a first quick connector assembled to a corresponding second quick connector of the chair seat, and ends of the two horizontal assembly frames are pivotally connected to corresponding support members, respectively, and other ends of the two horizontal assembly frames are assembled to each other through a quick packing connector for forming a horizontal bottom support member. As a result, the transport aid can be quickly disassembled into members for easy carry; furthermore, these members can be quickly assembled to a transport aid as a wheelchair, so that any person with disability can sit thereon and easily and comfortably be transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SOLID FOCUS INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shao-Tuan Chang
  • Patent number: 10258820
    Abstract: A chair for providing seating support to a user and for providing ways for the user to perform exercises. The chair includes a back support that is flexible such that when a force is applied to it by the user's body, the back support bends. The back support may be configured to adapt to the curvature of the user's spine when the user is seated in the chair. The back support may further be configured such that the user can rotate the back support by rotating the user's upper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Corecentric LLC
    Inventor: Bryce Harlow
  • Patent number: 10165864
    Abstract: A chair armrest device includes a main frame and an outer sleeve coupled to the main frame. The outer sleeve includes an insertion portion having a plurality of positioning grooves. A cover is mounted on top of the outer sleeve. An inner sleeve includes a shank inserted into the insertion portion of the shank. An actuating rod is pivotably received in the inner sleeve. A positioning peg is provided on the actuating rod for releasably engaging with one of the positioning grooves. A guiding peg is provided on the actuating rod and is received in an inclined guiding groove of a button. A pad is mounted on top of the inner sleeve and is pivotable relative to the main frame. The button can be pressed to pivot the actuating rod to thereby disengage the positioning peg from the positioning groove for adjusting a height of the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Tung-Hua Su
  • Patent number: 10130186
    Abstract: An adjustable armrest assembly including a base configured to be mounted on a side of seat, an armrest, and an adjustment assembly configured to adjustably couple the armrest to the base. The adjustment assembly includes first and second rows of grooves, an adjustment slot located between the first and second rows of grooves, a clip stopper configured to selectively engage the first and second rows of grooves, and a threaded stud coupling the clip stopper to the armrest. When the armrest is rotated in a first direction, teeth of the clip stopper disengage a first pair of grooves and permit the armrest to slide relative to the adjustment slot to adjust the armrest into a desired position. When the armrest is rotated in a second direction, the teeth of the clip stopper engage a second pair of grooves to set the armrest in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Blumenthal Distributing, Inc.
    Inventor: Baijun Tong
  • Patent number: 10023075
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seat comprising a seat base structure and a seat back structure pivotally connected to the seat base structure. The seat back structure includes a central adjustable region, an inboard side adjustable region adjacent the central adjustable region and a outboard side adjustable region located adjacent the central adjustable region. The seat back structure includes a central proximity sensor located at the central adjustable region, an inboard side proximity sensor located at the inboard side adjustable region and an outboard side proximity sensor located at the outboard side adjustable region. A seat back structure adjustment apparatus includes a central region adjustable member that adjusts a configuration of the central adjustable region, an inboard side adjustable member that adjusts a configuration of the inboard side adjustable region and an outboard side adjustable member that adjusts a configuration of the outboard adjustable region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc
    Inventor: Sergei I. Gage
  • Patent number: 9976629
    Abstract: A magneto-rheological servo speed regulator-reducer comprises a power output shaft, a planetary gear (2), an eccentric shaft (3), a left speed reduction main shaft (4), a pin gear housing (5), a cycloidal pin (6), a main bearing (7), a right speed reduction main shaft (8), a signal control line (9), a base housing (10), a clutch end plate (11), a coil iron core (12), an excitation coil (13), an input shaft bracket (14), an input bearing (15), a power input shaft (16), an input shaft oil seal (17), magneto-rheological fluid (18), a transmission clutch disc (19), a clutch cavity (20), a transmission oil seal (21), a clutch oil seal (22), an encoder (23), a transmission bearing (24), a cycloidal gear bearing (25), a cycloidal gear (26), a speed reduction main shaft oil seal (27), an eccentric bearing (28) and a transmission main shaft (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: LANGHAM AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xihe Shen
  • Patent number: 9776534
    Abstract: A car safety seat includes a seat body, at least one knob and at least one safety belt. The seat body has at least one slot structure. The slot structure includes a plurality of first positioning slots and a plurality of guiding slots. Each of the first positioning slots is connected with another adjacent one of the first positioning slots through one of the guiding slots. The knob is movably disposed on the seat body and has a second positioning slot. The safety belt penetrates through the second positioning slot and the corresponding first positioning slot in sequence. The knob is adapted to rotate to drive the safety belt to enter the corresponding guiding slot, and the knob is adapted to move along the slot structure to drive the safety belt to pass through the guiding slot to arrive another adjacent one of the first positioning slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Chien Yang, Te-Hung Chen, Mao-Jiun Wang
  • Patent number: 9610878
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back and a support post for supporting a headrest. The seat back may have a cross member that may include a support post opening and a flexible arm that may have a barb. The flexible arm may flex between a latched position in which the barb may be disposed in a notch of the support post to inhibit movement of the support post and an unlatched position in which the barb may be spaced apart from the notch to permit removal of the support post from the support post opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias Zimmermann, Karsten Mueller, Timo Schroeder, Inko Eberhardt, Vaibhav Tonge
  • Patent number: 9592749
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a basic structure, a backrest support which is articulated on the basic structure in a lockable manner by at least one fitting, a backrest structure a backrest that has the backrest support and the backrest structure, the backrest being movable in relation to the basic structure by a kinematic system in order to transfer the vehicle seat from at least one use position, in which it can be sat on, into an out-of-use position or into a further use position and back again. A four-bar linkage temporarily exists the four-bar linkage controlling the kinematic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: André Boehm, Georg Fischer, Ralph Recktenwald
  • Patent number: 9522617
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat capable of efficiently absorbing impact energy generated upon a rear end collision in a manner such that the vehicle seat is stably deformed at a specific position with respect to a complex input load generated upon a rear end collision. A vehicle seat includes: frame side portions that are located at the right and left sides of a seat back frame and extend in the up to down direction; and frame extension portions that extend from the frame side portions toward the inside in the right and left direction. A connection portion that connects the frame side portions to the frame extension portions is provided with a deformation portion that is deformed when an impact load is applied thereto. The deformation portion is formed adjacent to other deformation portions having deformation characteristics different from that of the deformation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Seki, Takaya Kurisu, Kenichi Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 9427086
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for improving posture while sitting, having a foundation member including a front portion for upper legs and a bowl portion for lower pelvic area. The bowl portion has a central portion and an upwardly inclined lateral portion. The lateral portion and the front portion collectively surround the central portion. A platform portion is connected with a concave recessed portion. An arm portion is connected to the platform portion. The central portion has plural regions of varying flexibility and the lateral portion has plural regions of varying flexibility. A seating apparatus is connected with the orthopedic seating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Backjoy Orthotics, LLC
    Inventor: William Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 9415713
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports that define a seatback frame. A front trim piece is coupled between the first and second side supports. A suspension component is coupled with a central area of the front trim piece and has flexible members protruding forward and outward therefrom. A passenger support panel has a periphery coupled to distal ends of the flexible members and suspended away from the seatback frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, Kevin VanNieulande, Marc Silva Kondrad, John W. Jaranson, Kendrick Alden Harper, Grant A. Compton
  • Patent number: 9387780
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base, a seatback and a vertical guide frame connecting a rear portion of the seat base to a bottom portion of the seatback. The bottom portion of the seatback slidably engages the vertical guide frame. At least one actuator is adapted to move the seatback between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Scott H. Dunham
  • Patent number: 9320359
    Abstract: A backrest translation mechanism includes a holder mounted on a sofa seat, a swing locating member, a backrest mount, a slider, and a positioning pin. The swing locating member has a first end pivoted on the holder, several locking slots with downward openings arranged at regular intervals along its length direction. The locking slots are adapted for engaging with and unidirectionally locking up the positioning pin, one side of each locking slots is provided with an inclined surface inclined towards an opposite direction of the first end. The slider is slidably set on the swing locating member and has a retaining slot and a limiting slot. The positioning pin is accepted by the retaining slot and the locking slot jointly, and the positioning pin is restricted to be out of the locking slot by the limiting slot. The mechanism has multiple using positions for adjusting the translation of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: DONGGUAN WEIHONG HARDWARE AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Lu
  • Patent number: 9272640
    Abstract: A modular seat assembly having an elongate support spine extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end is provided. A seat portion is connected to a front side of the support spine, and each of the seat portion and the support spine includes one of a complementary pair of interlocking portions. The interlocking portion of the seat portion slides onto the interlocking portion of the support spine over the first end. The modular seat assembly further includes an end cap lockably disposed over the first end that prevents the seat portion from sliding off the support spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Kustom Seating Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: James Masters, Eugene J. Germaine
  • Patent number: 9247821
    Abstract: A modified back rack has a front frame, a supporting stand mounted movably on the front frame, and a positioning mount mounted securely on the front frame. The front frame has an adjusting base mounted on the front frame. The adjusting base has a protrusion formed on the adjusting base, a track area formed on the adjusting base, and multiple positioning grooves formed on the protrusion. The supporting stand has a movement recess formed on the supporting stand, a movement space formed in the movement recess, and a moving assembly mounted in the movement recess. The moving assembly has a moving block, a swinging arm mounted pivotally in the moving block, and a moving pin extending from the swinging arm. The moving pin is placed in the track area. The modified back rack has height adjusting function that can meet different requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Yao-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 9161631
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for an office chair is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism may be used to adjust a height or position of an adjustable member of the chair. The adjustment mechanism can include an adjusting rod threaded through at least one, and in some arrangements two, adjusting members, the adjusting members each having a straight portion and a curved portion, the curved portion of each adjusting member received within a slot of a spreading member such that movement of the spreading member toward the adjusting rod spreads apart the adjusting members, creating a clamping force on the adjusting rod to set the height or position of the adjustable member of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: ANTHRO INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Derek Ellington
  • Patent number: 9150133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat part of a motor vehicle seat, comprising a base part having a transverse supporting element and an adjustable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Arrenberg
  • Patent number: 9113716
    Abstract: A height-adjustable backrest assembly includes a connecting member an upper end mounted between a positioning board having vertically spaced positioning grooves and a backrest movable relative to the positioning board in a vertical direction. A lower end of the connecting member is coupled to a seat or a base. A positioning button is pivotably mounted to the connecting member and has a positioning section biased by a spring to releasably engage one of the positioning grooves. A transfer groove below the bottommost positioning groove receives the positioning button when the positioning section of the positioning button disengages from the positioning grooves. The positioning button abuts against an abutment member on the connecting member to limit the positioning section in a position not aligned with the positioning grooves. The abutment section disengages from the abutment member when an abutment protrusion of the positioning board presses against the positioning section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Bih-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 9096151
    Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a seat base and an adjustable seat. Wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The seat base may also be coupled to the frame. The adjustable seat may be coupled to the seat base of the riding lawn care vehicle to enable selectable repositioning of at least a portion of the adjustable seat at variable distances from the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Eric Canonge, Thomas Limpo, Bruce Fredricks, Jim Biros
  • Patent number: 9066596
    Abstract: A seating assembly 10 having a pair of armrests 12, 14; a footrest 20; a backrest 30, and a seat portion 24 which may each be independently and selectively moveable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Clark, Richard N. Clark
  • Patent number: 9050231
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a seat-lift assembly adapted to move the seating unit between a closed and a seat-lift position is provided. The seat-lift assembly includes a drive linkage mechanism, and a lift linkage mechanism. The seat-lift assembly is attached to a seat linkage mechanism that includes a seat-mounting plate, a base plate coupled and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, the drive linkage mechanism is moveably interconnected to the base plate and adapted to independently raise at least a first portion of the seat frame with respect to the base plate, the first portion being raised at a first rate, and the lift linkage mechanism is moveably interconnected to the seat-mounting plate, and adapted to independently raise at least a second portion of the seat frame with respect to the seat-mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Gary Masters
  • Patent number: 9039087
    Abstract: A chair capable of allowing positions of armrests and a back plate to be simultaneously adjusted having an integrated back plate cell including a backrest portion and armrest portions extending forward from the backrest portion, a lower frame including a seat plat support portion and an armrest support portion which extends upward from the seat plat support portion and is coupled to each of the armrest portions, and a fixing lever which fixes the armrest portion to the armrest support portion, wherein the integrated back plate cell is obliquely movable relative to the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Sidiz, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Wo Lee, Tae Hee Ryu
  • Patent number: 8991926
    Abstract: A backrest for a wheelchair includes an adjustable cushion support, a backrest frame, and attachment members. The adjustable cushion support supports a backrest cushion, and substantially defines plane P1. The backrest frame holds the cushion support and has two substantially parallel side posts substantially defining a plane P2. The attachment members attach the cushion support to the backrest frame. The cushion support comprises two side bars and a plurality of transversally extending and vertically spaced apart flexible straps. Each strap is length adjustable. The cushion support comprises at least two connecting plates. Each plate being integral with one of the side bars and being provided with at least two parallel adjustment slots. The slots define an angle ?, with said plane P1 of the adjustable support cushion. The attachment members are slidably mounted on the slots, enabling depth, width and angular adjustment of the cushion support on the backrest frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Invacare International Sarl
    Inventor: Ulf Johansson
  • Publication number: 20150061329
    Abstract: An infant support includes a base and a backrest. The base is configured to rest upon a support surface and support an infant on the infant support. The base further includes a seat region and two arm portions. The backrest is pivotally coupled to the base between a storage configuration and an upright configuration. The backrest includes a front portion and a rear portion coupled together. The rear portion is configured to pivot between a closed position, in which the rear portion forms an interior cavity with the front portion, and an open position, where the rear portion is pivoted away from the front portion. The interior cavity is configured to receive and store napkins, wipes, or towels. The rear portion further includes an aperture and an operable door disposed proximate to the aperture. When the door is opened, the aperture provides access to the interior cavity for removing napkins, wipes, or towels from the infant support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Domenic T. Gubitosi, Kurt J. Huntsberger, Maarten Van Huystee
  • Publication number: 20150061338
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat including a seat cushion configured to support a weight of a sitting passenger from below, and a seat back configured to support an upper body of the sitting passenger from a back side thereof. The seat back includes a seat back fixing part including a back frame which configures a frame of the seat back, and a seat back moving part configured to support the upper body of the passenger at a passenger sitting surface side of the seat back fixing part. The seat back moving part is supported to the seat back fixing part so as to be rotatable about an upper part thereof in a left-right direction which corresponds to lateral sides of the sitting passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Hidetaka NAGAYASU, Osamu KANEKO, Eishi TAKEUCHI, Kohshi KATOH
  • Publication number: 20150001902
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for an office chair is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism may be used to adjust a height or position of an adjustable member of the chair. The adjustment mechanism can include an adjusting rod threaded through at least one, and in some arrangements two, adjusting members, the adjusting members each having a straight portion and a curved portion, the curved portion of each adjusting member received within a slot of a spreading member such that movement of the spreading member toward the adjusting rod spreads apart the adjusting members, creating a clamping force on the adjusting rod to set the height or position of the adjustable member of the chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Derek Ellington
  • Publication number: 20140361593
    Abstract: A chair includes a unitary shell defining a seat portion and a riser portion. The riser portion is generally normal to the seat portion. The chair further includes a back support and a flexible coupling that couples a portion of the back support to a portion of the riser portion. The flexible coupling includes a cushion between the portion of the back support and the portion of the riser portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: John M. Kaloustian, Ryan E. Haase
  • Patent number: 8905476
    Abstract: A juvenile product adjustment mechanism which allows for easy, secure adjustment by a caregiver is comprised of a rotatable key received within a sliding channel operated by a resiliently biased push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Davis, Brian R. Pleiman, David R. Sander
  • Patent number: 8840183
    Abstract: A motor vehicle rear seat has two units, which are set side by side along a horizontal axis, are each provided with a respective squab and a respective backrest and are arranged on opposite sides of a support device having a lower base designed to be fastened to a floorpan of the motor vehicle; the device has a body that supports the two units and has a position that can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction and in height with respect to the lower base; a fixing device is provided to block this body in the desired position with respect to the lower base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Genta
  • Patent number: 8840167
    Abstract: Motor vehicle with a seat bench which comprises a seat surface which is approximately horizontal in a normal position and a backrest which is approximately vertical in the normal position, wherein the backrest comprises at least one transparent region which is designed in such a manner that the view from a region in front of the backrest in the direction of travel into a region behind the backrest in the direction of travel is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Christoph Aschaber, Thomas Auer, Manuel Erlacher, Martin Rodler, Harald Zachnegger
  • Publication number: 20140239687
    Abstract: A seat assembly is constructed such that the consumer can secure the base to the seat without using any tools. A consumer inserts a tab at one end of a mounting plate into a slot at one end of a base plate secured to a seat. An opening on the mounting plate is moved to receive a latch on the base plate. An actuator allows the consumer to retract a spring-loaded latch bolt on the latch to move the latch through the opening. The spring-loaded latch bolt then secures the mounting plate against the base plate. In order to limit the ability of the mounting plate to slide with respect to the base plate, projections on the base plate pass through mounting plate apertures. The seat assembly may also include controls for seat height and seat reclining resistance, as well as a seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: WHALEN FURNITURE MANUFACTURING INC.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Hazzard, Tracy Leigh Hazzard
  • Patent number: 8801102
    Abstract: A method of testing a seating structure includes disposing a seat engaging member on a seat and engaging a backrest material with an anthropometric surface of a back engaging member. The back engaging member is pivotally attached to the seat engaging member. A test device kit includes a plurality of seat engaging members having different flexibilities and a plurality of back engaging members having different anthropometric rear surfaces. Each of the back engaging members is pivotally connectable with each of the plurality of seat engaging members. A method of assembling a test device includes selecting a seat engaging member from a plurality of seat engaging members having different flexibilities and selecting a back engaging member having an anthropometric rear surface from a plurality of back engaging members each having a different anthropometric rear surface, and pivotally connecting the seat engaging member with the back engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Allen Broome, Matthew Reed, Timothy Hoogland, Douglas Woodard
  • Patent number: 8794703
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventors: Allan Bateman, Cathie Capobianco
  • Publication number: 20140203609
    Abstract: A chair capable of allowing positions of armrests and a back plate to be simultaneously adjusted having an integrated back plate cell including a backrest portion and armrest portions extending forward from the backrest portion, a lower frame including a seat plat support portion and an armrest support portion which extends upward from the seat plat support portion and is coupled to each of the armrest portions, and a fixing lever which fixes the armrest portion to the armrest support portion, wherein the integrated back plate cell is obliquely movable relative to the lower frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Sidiz, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Wo LEE, Tae Hee Ryu
  • Patent number: 8770665
    Abstract: A wheelchair accessible recliner is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the recliner includes a backrest disposed at the rear portion of the recliner and configured to support a torso and back area of a user. A front base member serves to act as a wheel chock to secure rear wheels of the wheelchair within the recliner so that the user can tilt back in his or her wheelchair to stretch and relax. The backrest is adjustable and supported by a back strut. The back strut may be adjusted manually to adjust the angle of the backrest or can be adjusted by an actuator. Armrests are disposed on each side of the recliner and configured to support arms of the user when the wheelchair is positioned within the recliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Terry Darling