Tiltable Patents (Class 297/354.1)
  • Patent number: 8636321
    Abstract: A backrest assembly for a wheelchair includes a support plate pivotally connected to a seat, wherein the support plate is configured to be pivotally adjusted between upright and reclined positions with respect to the seat; a slide plate slidably secured on a front surface of the support plate; and a backrest adjustment assembly operatively connected to the support plate and the slide plate. The backrest adjustment assembly includes a link configured to adjust the support plate. The slide plate slides over the support plate through the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Permobil AB
    Inventors: Bo Engman, Urban Lind, Niklas Backstrom, Jonas Jahkel, Mehdi Mirzaie
  • Publication number: 20140021694
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame and first and second rear wheels that are each independently mounted to the frame via a respective mounting hub. Each rear wheel is detachably mounted to its respective mounting hub at two or more distinct hub mounting points. Either or both of the hub mounting points can be movable with respect to a remainder of the hub. A disk can be positioned at the rear wheel and a stop element located at the mounting hub can be selectively operated to interfere with the disk to prevent rotation of that rear wheel. Each rear wheel may include a push-rim having an elastomeric outer layer to facilitate manual gripping and an externally facing generally flat side face. The frame can include first and second spaced apart and unitary tubes which each extend in an unbroken manner from a wheelchair seat to a wheelchair forward region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Luciano Papi, Steve Smith
  • Publication number: 20140021763
    Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for a wheelchair back that can be used with various backs, that can be adjusted in a plurality of ways using a single adjustment point, and that can be adjusted without the use of tools. In another aspect, includes a support mechanism for mounting an adjustment apparatus for a wheelchair back that can be engaged using gravity, that provides at least one support point, and that can be utilized without the use of tools. Still another aspect of the wheelchair back assembly includes a mounting clamp that is simple in construction, that provides at least one support point, and that can be easily disassembled and adjusted to accommodate upright frame members of various diameters without the use of a tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: ROHO, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Goeckel, Jeffrey A. Bee, David K. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20140008956
    Abstract: A continuous manual seat recliner mechanism with an integrated lock includes an upper gear plate and lower gear plate in geared connection with the upper gear plate. The upper gear plate is able to rotate eccentrically in relation to the lower gear plate. A coiled locking spring is located within a central bore of a lock cylinder which is fixed to the lower gear plate so that an outside surface of the locking spring may frictionally engage the lock cylinder to prevent the lock cylinder and, thereby, the lower gear, from rotating. The ends of the lock spring engage with a knob hub and a driver hub such that rotation of the knob hub unlocks the recliner to allow adjustment by the operator, while rotation of the driver hub locks the recliner mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: B. Paul Golarz, Kenneth McQueen, Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak
  • Publication number: 20140001805
    Abstract: A reclining mechanism (1, 1a) for an item of furniture comprising a pair of linkage units (2, 2a), each having a first arm (21, 21a) and a second arm (22, 22a) adapted to be secured to, respectively a stationary (40) and a reclining (41) part an item of furniture (4) adapted for moving the reclining part between upright and reclined positions. The first and the second arms are pivotally connected to each other at their first ends (23, 23a; 24, 24a) and ratchet arrangement (26, 27, 28) is provided between the first and the second arms which allows the second arm to rotate in one direction while preventing its rotation in the opposite direction. The linkage units are spaced apart from each other and are connected by a pivot bar (30) connected at its ends to the ratchet arrangement of each linkage unit and actuatable by a lever (31) for overriding the rotation preventing action of the ratchet mechanism to allow the second arm to rotate freely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Gerard Crofts
  • Publication number: 20140001809
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly including a seat having a top surface. A seatback includes a back support surface. A tab extends forward from the seatback. A track assembly includes a rail and a slide. A bracket is coupled to the slide and includes an elongate slot disposed at a mid-portion thereof. A linkage includes a first end coupled with the seat. A second end is coupled with the tab. A protrusion is disposed at an intermediate portion of the linkage and is engaged with the elongate slot. Movement of the protrusion is relative to the elongate slot, causing translation of the seating assembly between a deployed position, in which a planar extent of the seatback extends substantially orthogonally relative to a planar extent of the seat, and a stowed position, in which the top surface of the seat and the back support surface of the seatback are in abutting contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, Gornique'Ka Mo'Nya Heath, Dumitru Dan Nae, John W. Jaranson, Curtis D. Stanhope, Kurt Kormos
  • Publication number: 20130341985
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an operating link rotatably mounted to a base, a bracket that is provided on a seat back, and is arranged to be pressed against the operating link due to rotation of the seat back, so as to push and rotate the operating link, and an operating mechanism arranged to be operated by the operating link when the operating link is pushed and rotated. The bracket and the operating link are engaged with each other such that one of the bracket and the operating link sandwiches the other of the bracket and the operating link in rotational directions thereof, so that the above-indicated one of the bracket and the operating link abuts on the other thereof in both of the rotational directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Mari TSURUTA, Yoshiyuki KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20130334857
    Abstract: In a method for connecting two at least partly metal components of a vehicle seat, which has a backrest that can be pivoted about an axis, wherein the two components are arranged relative to each other and are then connected, the two components are arranged at a distance from each other, at least in some regions, and connected electromagnetic pulse technology. By a current pulse, electromagnetic fields are induced in the two components, the intense magnetic attraction force of which presses the two components together, producing an integral connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Harald Wolsiefer, Ramon Loos, Rainer Schollenberg
  • Publication number: 20130328364
    Abstract: The aircraft seat, the aircraft including a cabin equipped with a floor exhibiting lines of points for fastening seats generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, includes a seat bucket that is integral by its seatback with a single beam oriented along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the floor, which beam is integral with fastening points located on at least two separate lines on the floor of the cabin of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Laurent CECINAS, Julien NORMANDIN, Remy BARRE, Lionel BACQUEY
  • Publication number: 20130328371
    Abstract: An aircraft seat that includes a seat bottom frame having a back, a seat back frame pivotally connected to the back of the seat bottom frame, and a seat back shell. The seat back shell has at least a front panel, a back panel opposite the front panel, and at least two side panels disposed between the front and back panels which connects the front panel to the back panel. The combination of the front, back, and side panels form a gap to receive the entire seat back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: PAC Seating Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Hector Noel MARINI
  • Patent number: 8600626
    Abstract: There is provided a headrest apparatus including: a headrest main body provided at a top edge portion of a seatback; a detection section to detect contact between the head of an occupant seated in the seat and the headrest main body; a moving section that moves the headrest main body in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a controller that controls the moving section such that the headrest main body is moved forward until contact between the head of an occupant and the headrest main body is detected by the detection section, and, when contact between the head of an occupant and the headrest main body has been detected by the detection section, controls the moving section to move the headrest main body such that there is a specific amount of back-set separation distance in a horizontal direction between the head of an occupant and the headrest main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi, Makoto Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20130313866
    Abstract: A seating unit (1) comprises a fixed housing (10) containing a primary seat with a reclinable back arranged to recline in such a manner that it remains within the housing. The seating unit is suitable for a aircraft cabin and may further comprise a leg-rest arranged to cooporate with the seating portion to form part of a substantially flat surface when the back is reclined in a substantially horizontal position. The seating unit may further comprise a secondary seat (3) positioned to face the primary seat, the secondary seat having a seating portion positioned to cooporate with the leg-rest of the primary seat to form a portion of the substantially flat surface when the back of the primary seat is reclined in the substantially, horizontal position. Privacy between seats and use of available space within an aircraft cabin may be optimised by arranging at least some of the seats in an echelon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: British Airways PLC
    Inventors: Ian DRYBURGH, Simon LUNN, Russel MULCHANSINGH
  • Publication number: 20130313876
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat bottom that includes first and second side frame members and a front cushion module. The front cushion module has a support wire and a cushion. The support wire has first and second ends that are disposed proximate the front end of the first and second side frame members, respectively. The cushion receives and is supported by the support wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Philippe Perrin
  • Publication number: 20130313877
    Abstract: A recliner heart spacer ring includes a body portion having a substantially consistent inner diameter. First and second inner cutouts are diametrically opposed from one another. First and second pairs of retention features are diametrically opposed from one another and are adapted to engage a swing gate of a recliner heart. The recliner heart spacer ring guides the swing gate as the swing gate transitions between a range of positions associated with a seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Khaled Ayyash, Jeffrey Gabalski, Robert Jen-Yue Du
  • Publication number: 20130300174
    Abstract: A seat adjustment device adjusts the pivoting angle formed by a first seat member and a second seat member. A hinge shaft connects at a first connection point, the first seat member, and the second seat member. An arm section and a connection mechanism are connected at a second connection point. The positions of the axes of the first connection point, the second connection point, and a pivoting section are set in such a manner that, when a load is applied to the front end of either the first seat member or the second seat member, the distance from the second connection point to the axis of the pivoting section is less than the distance from the first connection point to the second connection point with respect to the direction perpendicular to the line of action of a load applied to the second connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sadao Ito
  • Publication number: 20130300173
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism (6) for a vehicle seat, comprising: first and second frames mounted so that they can rotate relative to one another; and an annular ring comprising a cylindrical base which covers the peripheral edges of the frames, and first and second side flaps. The ring does not comprise a portion that is in contact with one of the inner faces of the frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Joël Boisgontier
  • Publication number: 20130278035
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, has a seat part and a backrest which is provided with a backrest frame which runs all around as a load-bearing structure. The backrest frame has a lower crossmember, two side parts and an upper crossmember. The backrest can pivot relative to the seat part by at least one fitting which is attached to the backrest frame. At least one corner piece is provided as part of the backrest frame, which corner piece connects the lower crossmember to one of the seat parts. The fitting is attached to the corner piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Markel, Thomas Dill, Wolfgang Pluta
  • Publication number: 20130257110
    Abstract: An item of seating furniture including a base, a seat unit with a seat surface, and a leg unit moveable in relation to the seat unit and having a leg support surface. The leg unit is displaceable via a movement mechanism between a storage position wherein the leg support surface is arranged under the seat unit and a use position wherein the leg support surface is arranged in front of the seat unit. The movement mechanism has an intermediate support displaceable via a pivoting guide, wherein the pivoting guide has a pivot lever between the intermediate support and the seat unit or the base, and the movement mechanism has a guide with a sliding member. The sliding member is guided on the intermediate support, and the leg unit is attached to the sliding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Matthias FISCHER
  • Publication number: 20130249267
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle seat having a side frame, a bracket, and a reclining device. The side frame has a closed cross-sectional configuration. The bracket is formed from a plate-like member. The bracket has a side surface to be connected with the side frame. The reclining device is connected to the side surface of the bracket to which the side frame is connected, so that the reclining device is connected to the side frame via the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhisa HOSOKAWA
  • Patent number: 8517470
    Abstract: A fitting system (5) for a vehicle seat (1) includes a first fitting (10), a second fitting (50), a first transmission element (7) acting between the two fittings (10, 50), a free-pivoting device (54) assigned to the second fitting (50), a first operating element for adjusting the inclination, with the actuation thereof the two fittings (10, 50) being unlocked by using the first transmission element (7), and a second operating element for free pivoting. With the actuation of the second operating element, the first fitting (10) and the free-pivoting device (54) are unlocked. A second transmission element (80) is arranged between the two fittings (10, 50) and mounted on the fittings (10, 50), and which—independently of the first transmission element (7)—acts between the free-pivoting device (54) and the first fitting (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Roth, Gerhard Schäfer, Peter Thiel
  • Publication number: 20130207431
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an adjusting device, for example for adjusting the height and/or tilt of a seat part structure and/or of a backrest structure connected to the seat part structure, wherein the adjusting device is fastened to the seat part structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Stefan Haida, Dirk Schulz, Holger Finner, Adrian Pawlowski, Patrick Jakob
  • Patent number: 8506013
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat that includes a seat cushion, a seatback that is rotatably attached to the seat cushion, and a spring that urges the seatback to a raised upright position from a reclined position in which the seatback is tilted back behind the seat cushion, the spring is spiral shaped, with a center-side end portion that is arranged near the rotational center of the seatback hooked on a seatback-connected member and an outside end portion that is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the spring hooked on a seat cushion-connected member. A shield member that covers the spring is attached to the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Esaki, Akira Konagai
  • Patent number: 8500195
    Abstract: An adjustable supporting bracket for a motorcycle backrest that may be disposed between a mounting bracket affixed to a motorcycle seat and a mounting bracket affixed to a backrest pad. The adjustable supporting bracket comprises an outer member and an inner member slidingly received within the outer member. The inner member has a hand retractable spring plunger whose tip is disposed to engage longitudinally arrayed recesses in the outer member in order to lockably fix the extension of the inner member. One of the outer member and the inner member is also provided with a tilt wheel disposed within a transverse slot in a lower portion of the member. The tilt wheel is threaded to receive a set screw that extends through the lower portion of the member to bear against the seat mounting bracket. The tilt wheel may be manually rotated to extend and retract the set screw, thereby allowing the user to determine the extent of backward travel of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Norman Curlalion Smith, II
  • Publication number: 20130193734
    Abstract: A seat arrangement includes a seat part, a backrest part, and an adjustment device. The adjustment device foldably connects the seat part with the backrest part. The adjustment device has a flexible transfer unit that is immovably fixed to the seat part and the backrest part. A vehicle seat with the seat arrangement, a motor vehicle with the vehicle seat, and a method for folding a backrest part of a vehicle seat relative to a seat part of the vehicle seat are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
  • Publication number: 20130187418
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat capable of allowing an occupant's upper body to sink into a seatback without suppressing a rearward movement of the occupants' waist. The vehicle seat includes: a seatback frame which includes a pair of side frames, an upper frame connecting the pair of side frames to each other at the upper portions thereof, and one or more connection members connecting the pair of side frames to each other at the lower portions thereof; and a reclining device provided below the pair of side frames in which the connection members each includes ends jointed to the pair of side frames and a center portion positioned at the substantially center part of the connection member, and an upper surface of the center portion is provided below the occupant's waist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masato Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130187422
    Abstract: A chair includes a support assembly, a chair seat coupled to the support assembly, a chair back and a buckle. A lower portion of the buckle is coupled to the support assembly, while an upper portion of the buckle is coupled to a bottom portion of the chair back. The buckle is configured to orient the chair back at an obtuse angle relative to the seat and is flexible in certain embodiments to vary the angle. The top portion of the chair back includes a top edge and a slot formed in the top edge that extends toward the bottom portion to divide the chair back into left and right portions that can flex relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Ditto Sales, Inc./Versteel
    Inventor: Ditto Sales, Inc./Versteel
  • Publication number: 20130175836
    Abstract: This invention discloses an adjustable hanging chair, which comprises a seat, comprising a cushion frame and a backrest frame; a suspension bracket, which is correspondingly disposed and fixed to the cushion frame; a front rest frame, one of the upper ends of the front rest frame being correspondingly and pivotally coupled to a front end of the cushion frame, and at least a connection rod, a first end of the connection rod being correspondingly and pivotally connected to the front rest frame, and a second end of the connection rod being correspondingly and pivotally connected to the backrest frame, so that the pivoting action of the front rest frame corresponding to the cushion frame has an interacting relationship with the pivoting action of the backrest frame corresponding to the cushion frame. The present invention can increase the comfortability of sitting and reduce the volume for easy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Cheng-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20130175842
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat comprising a seat member, a backrest member which is connected to the seat member so as to be able to be pivoted about a pivot axis, a first fitting which, when viewed along the pivot axis, is arranged at a first position on the seat member and a second fitting which, when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis, is arranged at a second position on the seat member for a pivotable connection of the backrest member with the seat member. The vehicle seat further comprising a third fitting which, when viewed along the pivot axis is arranged between the first fitting and the second fitting and which is spaced apart from the first fitting and the second fitting along the pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Markus Prause, Andi Langguth
  • Patent number: 8480174
    Abstract: A seat frame reinforcement structure has a reinforcing member that is provided between both side frames that constitute a framework of a seatback of a vehicle seat, is connected to the side frames, and extends in the width direction of the vehicle seat. The reinforcing member includes a rod that is larger in diameter than each of operation pins that pass through center portions of reclining mechanisms, bushings that are connected to respective end portions of the rod, and a guide member that is connected integrally to the side frame so as to surround the outer periphery of a portion of the operation pin, which is exposed due to a clearance formed between an end portion of one of the bushings and the side frame. Due to the provision of the guide member, the diameter of the reinforcing member is maintained large even in a region where there is the clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Konagai, Makoto Esaki
  • Publication number: 20130161992
    Abstract: A seat back structure includes a web extending about a central opening, and an inner flange extending about an inner perimeter of the web adjacent to the central opening. The seat back structure also includes an outer flange extending about an outer perimeter of the web. The inner flange, the outer flange and the web form a channel extending about the seat back structure, and the seat back structure is formed from a single piece of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ornela Zekavica, Phillip W. Wilson, Anthony M. Kestian, Elizabeth A. Allen, Mark S. Williamson, Joseph F. Prosniewski, Catherine M. Amodeo, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich, Ronald G. Bedro, Edward J. Lamont, Michael J. Leighton, William Shawn Brewer, David J. Hayes, Robert J. Hicks, Andrew J. Erard, Michael G. Buss, Mark A. Harris, Alexander I. Balin, Alex Saveski, Eric B. Michalak, Kurt A. Seiboid, Daniel J. Sakkinen, Nicholas L. Petouhoff
  • Publication number: 20130154329
    Abstract: An aircraft seat that includes a seat bottom frame having a back, a seat back frame pivotally connected to the back of the seat bottom frame, and a seat back shell. The seat back shell has at least a front panel, a back panel opposite the front panel, and at least two side panels disposed between the front and back panels which connects the front panel to the back panel. The combination of the front, back, and side panels form a gap to receive the entire seat back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: PAC SEATING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: PAC SEATING SYSTEMS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8465095
    Abstract: The chair of the invention includes a cushion, a back and a back support. Either or both of the back and back support are made of a flexible material. The back is perpendicular to the cushion and has an upper connecting portion and a lower connecting portion. The back support is of a substantial L-shape and has an upper end and a protrudent mount. The back support is connected between the cushion and the back for supporting the back. The upper end of the back support fixedly connects with the upper connecting portion, and the protrudent mount movably and pivotally connects with the lower connecting portion, thereby the back support is capable of tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Ken Su
  • Publication number: 20130119735
    Abstract: A spring back hinge interconnects a backrest frame to a chair seat frame or is mountable to just the chair base frame, the spring back hinge being optionally fittable with a lever actuated locking assembly and the spring back hinge being fittable on a single side or both sides, alternative back rest frames being fittable to the spring back hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: FLEXSTEEL METAL DIVISION
    Inventor: FLEXSTEEL METAL DIVISION
  • Publication number: 20130113259
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism (20) for an article of furniture includes a support structure (22) securable to a seat base of the article of furniture. A carrier (24) is displaceably arranged relative to the support structure (22), the carrier (24) being configured to mount a component (12) of the article of furniture. A link assembly (26) interconnects the support structure (22) and the carrier (24). The link assembly (26) comprises at least one linkage mechanism (52) which causes initial, substantially linear motion of the carrier (24) relative to the support structure (22) to become substantially rotary motion as the carrier (24) moves from a first position to a second position relative to the seat base of the article of furniture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130099543
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reclining office chair. The footstool is hidden in the seat frame when it is used as an office chair. The space for the footstool is secured by placing the mechanisms that help swiveling of the backrest in the guide frame. The mechanisms are the gas cylinder and the operation part. When the user wants to use the present invention as a recliner, the backrest can be reclined up to 160 degrees by push of a button. The user can choose any angle of the backrest. Moreover, when the user pulls the footstool out, the locking mechanism of the footstool panel is unlocked automatically. The gas cylinders under the footstool panel lift up the footrest panel, giving the user a comfortable angle for the legs. The present invention is an office recliner, an office chair with a combined function of a recliner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Jong Gyu AN
  • Publication number: 20130099538
    Abstract: A seating device, in particular on a flight passenger seating device includes a moveably mounted primary unit and a moveably mounted secondary unit. The seating device has a locking unit which, depending on at least one operating position of the secondary unit, avoids a movement of the primary unit relative to a mounting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: RECARO AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130093229
    Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly providing a compact size with the ability to pivot or tilt the lower seat frame manually and independent of the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Kurt A. Seibold
  • Patent number: 8419133
    Abstract: An upper portion of the back is pivotable relative to the lower portion between a neutral position and an extended position, with the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion independent of the tilt position of the back. In one aspect, an adjustment mechanism is coupled between lower and upper back support members and pivots the upper support member between at least first and second support positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Holt, Jeffrey A. Weber, Christopher C. Hill, John F. Aldrich, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
  • 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: 20130082501
    Abstract: A foldable chair can be folded easily by pressing a control member disposed at a lateral side of the seat, and when the control member is released from being pressed, the chair can be returned to the locked position by a spring. In addition to the pivot connection of the corresponding interconnected components, the structure for controlling the pivot motion and locking is also very simple, which not only reduces material cost, but also make production and assembly easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Yu-Ching HUNG
  • Publication number: 20130076094
    Abstract: A reclining apparatus for adjusting a tilt angle between a first member and a second member includes: a base plate mounted to the first member; a gear plate mounted to the second member and assembled with the base plate rotatably relative to each other; a gear mechanism for controlling engagement of the gear plate with the base plate; and a cover having a first tubular portion fixed to an outer periphery of the base plate and a second tubular portion in slide contact with an outer periphery of the gear plate, the cover being configured to allow the base plate and the gear plate to rotate relative to each other and to suppress a relative movement therebetween in an axial direction. The first tubular portion is coupled by welding to the outer periphery of the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: IMASEN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka ISHIHARA, Kazuyoshi HARA
  • Publication number: 20130069410
    Abstract: An article containment system is provided for restricting the movement of articles positioned on a support surface of a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of panels configured to be attached to the support surface such that each of the panels is movable from a stowed position to an up position in which the panel is substantially perpendicular to the support surface; a first position maintaining element configured to hold a first panel in the up position and configured to allow the first panel to move to the stowed position; and a second position maintaining element configured to hold a second panel in the up position and configured to allow the second panel to move to the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Stuart Ian Smith
  • Publication number: 20130062921
    Abstract: A system comprises a vehicle seating system including a seat and at least one powered seat adjustment actuator for altering the seating position formed by the seat. Additionally, the system includes a controller for receiving at least one signal based on at least one vehicle/user event. For reducing fatigue, the controller controls slow seat movement while the vehicle is moving, and changes slow movement between first and second slow movements based on the vehicle/user event(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel C. Meyer, Paul B. Phipps, Thomas D. Epply
  • Publication number: 20130049424
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, and a seat back that is connected to the seat cushion in a manner so as to be able to be raised and reclined. The seat back has a cushion that supports an occupant. The cushion includes a main portion that opposes a torso of the occupant, and a side portion that is arranged on an outside of the main portion in a seat with direction and that protrudes toward a seating side of the seat back. The side portion includes a first portion that is arranged on an upper portion of the side portion and opposes a shoulder of the occupant when the seat hack is in an upright position, and a second portion that forms the side portion other than the first portion. The first portion and the main portion are configured to elastically compress easier than the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Syohei FUNAKI, Osamu KANAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20130049423
    Abstract: An adjustable head restraint assembly is provided with a guide that is mounted to a seat back frame of a vehicle seat. A head restraint extends from the seat back and is mounted to the guide for translation along the guide. A suspension cooperated with the guide and the head restraint for biasing the head restraint to an extended position. A locking mechanism maintains the head restraint in a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Brunner, Achim Tscherbner
  • Publication number: 20130038107
    Abstract: A vehicle footrest system allows an occupant seated in a rear seat to brace their feet and that is capable of inhibiting load from concentrating at the heels of an occupant. A footrest system is provided with: a reclining device that rotates an upper end part side of a seatback in the direction of arrow A and holds it at a predetermined angle of rotation; and a slide device that slides a front seat in the direction of arrow B with respect to a vehicle body floor. When an occupant seated in a rear seat uses a footrest portion of the seatback, the reclining device is operated and the upper end part side of the seatback is inclined toward the vehicle front side. Further, the slide device is operated and a slide portion of a seat cushion is moved in a vehicle front-rear direction along a rail portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tamura, Hideki Kobayashi, Shinji Fujita
  • Publication number: 20130033081
    Abstract: A connecting rod having satisfactory insertion performance for a mating member and generating neither vibrations nor noises in regard to a connecting rod cut in a predetermined length by searing work and provided with rotation transmitting portions having a non-circular cross section at least at both ends and a double reclining mechanism are provided. A small-diameter column portion 101 having a diameter smaller than a diameter of a rotation transmitting portion T, a tapered portion 103 provided continuously from the small-diameter column portion 101 and gradually increasing in diameter, and the rotation transmitting portion T provided continuously from the tapered portion 103 are provided at least at one end of a connecting rod 13 from a tip-end side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Hirohito Aoi, Tomohiro Enokijima
  • Patent number: 8366198
    Abstract: A fitting (5) for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, is provided with a first fitting part (9) fixed to a seat part, a second fitting part (11) that can be rotated between a plurality of usage positions relative to the first fitting part (9) for setting the tilt of the back (2) of the vehicle seat (1) and a locking element (15) fixedly connected particularly to the second fitting part (11). A third fitting part (14) is fixed to the back that can be locked by the locking element (15) and may be pivoted about an axis (A) relative to the second fitting part (11) for centered free pivoting of the back (2). A stop (18, 19) limits the pivot motion of the third fitting part (14) on one side. The stop includes at least one axially protruding first stop cam (18) that is formed on the third fitting part (14) and at least one axially protruding second stop cam (19) that is formed on the locking element (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Thiel
  • Patent number: 8356862
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism and an inclination-adjustable seat are provided. The inclination-adjustable seat comprises a connecting base, a seat frame, at least one adjustment mechanism and a supporting base, wherein the seat frame is connected to the connecting base, the adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the inclination of the inclination-adjustable seat and is connected to the seat frame and the connecting base, and the supporting base is connected to the connecting base for supporting the connecting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nuna International B.V.
    Inventor: Eric Biermann
  • Publication number: 20130001996
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a seat part and having at least one backrest part which is pivotable about an axis of rotation relative to the seat part, and having a spring means which is effective between the seat part and the backrest part, wherein the backrest part comprises at least a backrest rear wall, backrest upholstery and a backrest cover. According to the invention, a spring means designed as a torsion spring is in each case arranged completely within the corresponding backrest part, is supported at the first end thereof on the backrest rear wall and acts at the second end thereof opposite the first end on an intermediate piece or on a stop of the intermediate piece, wherein the intermediate piece is arranged on the axis of rotation and is fastened to a bearing in a manner fixed relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael Dilsen, Jens Heinrich, Thomas Leneis