Horizontally Patents (Class 297/383)
  • Patent number: 7506935
    Abstract: An adjustment device includes a seat brace including lower and upper support plates fixed thereon, respectively. A back brace includes a second end tightly disposed between the lower and upper support plates of the seat brace, with friction generated between the lower and upper support plates and the second end of the back brace, respectively. A locating portion is defined on the second end of the back brace. An adjustment unit includes an end pivotally connected to the seat brace and another end opposite to the actuated element and exposed outside of the adjustment device for use. An actuated element is mounted on the adjustment unit relative to the locating portion and connected to the locating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tung Yu Oa Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Hong Lin
  • Patent number: 7490906
    Abstract: To save space it is often not possible to provide a comfortable seat beside a bed, for example for a second flightdeck crew. Normally, sitting on a bed is not comfortable for extended periods of time. The present invention states a backrest arrangement which can be changed from a foldaway position to a seating position. The backrest arrangement can be hinged to a wall. In foldaway position, the distance between a lower region of the backrest and the essentially vertical surface is shorter than in the seating position. In this way the backrest arrangement can for example be attached to a wall beside a bed; in the seating position the backrest arrangement provides a comfortable and safe seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schumacher, Andrew Muin
  • Patent number: 7484795
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle includes a sitting portion, a movable back; and a first guide mechanism configured to move the back from a first edge of the sitting portion to an opposite second edge of the sitting portion. The back is assembled on the sitting portion by a movable element including a base configured to move between the first edge of the sitting portion and the opposite second edge, and a support assembled pivoting on the movable base. The movable base is in a form of a stirrup, a base of the stirrup extending from a first lateral edge to a second latent edge of the sitting portion. Each branch of the stirrup extends substantially parallel to the first lateral edge and is curved at a free end under the sitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventors: Bruno Saint-Jalmes, Jazon Zaneboni, Andre Rezag
  • Patent number: 7422286
    Abstract: Provided is a chair comprising a seat; a backrest; a first armrest; a second armrest; a seat support structure; and a support structure for supporting the lower back of a seated person; wherein the support structure is directly mechanically-connected to the first armrest and the second armrest; and the support structure is not directly mechanically-connected to either the backrest or the seat. Additionally, provided are methods for supporting the lower back of a seated person in the need of such supporting comprising providing to the person a chair as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Wenjin Wu
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7387338
    Abstract: A seat assembly is disclosed for a passenger vehicle which provides multiple positions by translating a seat back between a fore position and an aft position relative to the seat bottom. A carriage is disclosed mounted to a track within a seat bottom for translating the seat back to the fore and aft positions. A motor and transmission are disclosed for driving the carriage. Additionally, a mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the tilt angle of the seat back as it is translated. A method for adjusting a seat assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Beranek, David Lechkun
  • Patent number: 7364238
    Abstract: An article of furniture (10) includes a base having a front (14) and a rear (16) and a top (18) surface. A backrest assembly (20) has a front edge (22) and a rear edge (24) and is slideably arranged relative to the base (12) in a plane parallel to the top surface of the base to adjust a depth (D) of the base as measured between the front edge of the backrest assembly and the front of the base. Further it includes a locking mechanism having a displacement member (48) movably received in the housing (42), the displacement member being displaceable between a locking orientation and an unlocking orientation, when the displacement member is in its locking orientation the locking member (50) is urged partially out of the aperture (50) in the housing to protrude a predetermined extent through the housing to effect locking and, when the displacement member is in its unlocking orientation, the locking member is free to be at least partially withdrawn in the housing to effect unlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: King Furniture (Australia) Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Steve Higgs, David Russell King
  • Patent number: 7357453
    Abstract: This invention teaches a chair comprising a seat; a backrest; a first armrest; a second armrest; a seat support structure; means for supporting the lower back of a seated person; a first slider; a second slider; a first slideway having a plurality of cavities; and a second slideway having a plurality of cavities, wherein the first slider and the second slider are disposed at two opposite ends of the means for supporting the lower back of a seated person; the first slideway is cooperating with the first slider and is connected to the first armrest; and the second slideway is cooperating with the second slider and is connected to the second armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Wenjin Wu
  • Patent number: 7347496
    Abstract: A chair backrest adjusting mechanism includes a seat supporting frame, a backrest supporting arm, amount, a supporting arm cover, and a ball-shaped handle. The seat supporting frame is fixedly connected at a lower end to a base below a chair seat, and pivotally connected at an upper end to two pivot brackets at a lower end of the backrest supporting arm, which is further pivotally connected at an upper end to the mount on a rear side of a chair backrest. The supporting arm cover is fitly covered on the backrest supporting arm with upper and lower ends pivotally connected to the mount and the upper end of the seat supporting frame. A threaded rod is fixedly mounted in and turned via the ball-shaped handle to drive the backrest supporting arm to tilt forward or backward, and accordingly adjust the backrest to different positions relative to the chair seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Chih Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7264312
    Abstract: A backrest adjusting mechanism is angularly disposed between a backrest and a seat of a chair, and includes a main support slidably received in a sleeve member, and a locating gear. The main support is provided on a middle lower surface with a downward projected limiting element and on a middle upper surface with an elastically upward protruded locating element. The sleeve member is provided on a lower surface with a lengthwise guide slot for the limiting element to slide therein, and on an upper surface with locating recesses for the elastic locating element to slide thereinto and hold the main support to an adjusted position. The locating gear includes a shaft turnably extended across the sleeve member, so that a press lug of at least one brake element on the shaft may be turned to firmly press against and hold the main support in place at the adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Chih Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7252337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat arrangement for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat base that defines a seat surface for a vehicle passenger and extends in the longitudinal direction of the seat, and a back rest. According to the invention, the back rest can be adjusted in relation to the seat base in the longitudinal direction of the seat by means of a lever arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Hofmann, Jürgen Angermüller, Thomas Haagen, Matthias Fischer
  • Patent number: 7243997
    Abstract: The invention herein allows for manually positioning telescoping members relative to each other in a variety of positions within a given range of motion such as for movable chair backs or arms. A strut is engaged with and telescopically slides in a mounting member while deformable guide members provide for frictional engagement of the strut within the mounting member. A détente limits the range of motion of the strut relative to the mounting member. The détente comprises a stud or tab which engages a slot in the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Lino E. Tornero
  • Patent number: 7234768
    Abstract: A reversible chair is disclosed which permits the user to sit with either a conventional backrest or to rest his or her chest against the same element in a “forward chair” configuration. The rest is attached to the seat with a side-mounted support arm such that no central support must be straddled when the chair is used as a forward chair. In certain embodiments, the rest is moveable from a backrest position to a front rest position. In this way, the user may face the same direction on the seat in either configuration thereby permitting optimal contouring of the seating surface. In yet other embodiments, the attachment of the rest to the seat is adjustable in a fore and aft direction. Armrests are provided in certain embodiments which are moveable from a position which extends from the front of the back/front rest to a position which extends from the opposite side of the rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Eugene Manning
  • Patent number: 7222920
    Abstract: A chair includes back and seat portions that include a padded member. Back support rails have opposed ends and include braces connected thereto. One end of the back support rails has notches that define flange portions. The braces traverse a rear surface of the back portion so that opposed ends thereof are conjoined to corresponding ones of the rail ends. A seat support member has a bottom surface and sidewalls extending upward therefrom that have notches formed along a top surface thereof. The seat support member includes inner lip portions. The flange portions are engageable with the inner lip portions, maintaining the back portion at a stable position. A shaft is conjoined to the seat support portion, legs are conjoined to the shaft, and casters are connected to the legs. A mechanism is included for adjusting the back portion forwardly above the seat support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: James N. Washington
  • Patent number: 7188902
    Abstract: A backupholstery adjustment device for a wheelchair includes a wheelchair having a horizontally and/or obliquely adjusted backupholstery which has a pair of upper positioning rods and a pair of lower positioning rods spacedly secured to a plurality of V-shaped linking plates on inward arcuate lateral sides thereof, a pair of upper and a pair of lower adjustment pieces respectively secured to the upper and lower portions of a pair of L-shaped handles through a plurality of clamping plates. The upper adjustment pieces each has a slit abutting a stopping portion in the top insertable by the pair of upper positioning rods and a plurality of grooves formed inside for selectively engaging the upper positioning rods. The lower adjustment pieces each has a slit abutting a stopping portion, too, insertable by the pair of lower positioning rods and a single groove engageable within the lower positioning rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Chao-Jen Chen
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7125076
    Abstract: A seat assembly is disclosed for a passenger vehicle which provides multiple positions by translating a seat back between a fore position and an aft position relative to the seat bottom. A carriage is disclosed mounted to a track within a seat bottom for translating the seat back to the fore and aft positions. A motor and transmission are disclosed for driving the carriage. Additionally, a mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the tilt angle of the seat back as it is translated. A method for adjusting a seat assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Beranek, Dave Lechkun
  • Patent number: 7104606
    Abstract: A support apparatus is described for use in the field of workstation design. The support apparatus is movably attachable to a seating device to selectively provide both dorsal and ventral support to a seated user. The support apparatus is movable, by a user in the seated position, between the position providing ventral support and the position providing dorsal support. Also described is a method of selectively supporting either the ventral or dorsal side of a user by one apparatus, the apparatus moveable by a user in the seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Neutral Posture, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome J Congleton, Mark E Benden, Rebecca Congleton Boenigk, John C Guillen
  • Patent number: 7070234
    Abstract: A motorcycle backrest adjusting system includes a motorcycle that has a seat and a pair of support bars that extend rearward from the seat. A pair of lower brackets is provided and each of the lower brackets is attached to one of the support bars. A pair of upper brackets is provided and each of the upper brackets is moveably coupled to one of the lower brackets. Each of a pair of guide tracks is attached to and extends along one of the upper brackets. A drive apparatus selectively moves the upper brackets with respect to the lower brackets. A control is operationally coupled to the drive apparatus. A backrest is mounted to the upper brackets and faces toward a pair of handlebars of the motorcycle. The backrest is selectively moved toward or away from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Gaetano Pravettone
  • Patent number: 7015545
    Abstract: An RF MOS transistor having improved AC output conductance and AC output capacitance includes parallel interdigitated source and drain regions separated by channel regions and overlying gates. Grounded tap regions contacting an underlying well are placed contiguous to source regions and reduce distributed backgate resistance, lower backgate channel modulation, and lower output conductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. McKay, Stephen Allott
  • Patent number: 7008014
    Abstract: An adjustable storage seat for recreation and utility vehicles is disclosed. The adjustable storage seat may be used for snowmobiles, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, or other similar small vehicle intended for entertainment and transportation. The adjustable storage seat comprises a cushion mounted over a frame which is attached to the chassis of the vehicle. The seat is provided with an adjustable backrest which can be adjusted forward or backward in increments to increase the comfort of the rider when a button on the seat is pushed, but otherwise remains fixed in place. The adjustable backrest can also be removed from the seat to reveal a storage compartment after turning it 90 degrees. The seat may be provided with a lock to secure the storage compartment. Additional embodiments of the adjustable storage seat are convertible for one or two person use, and may be provided with internal storage or item racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Johnson, Norman Berg, Timothy Storo, Robert Aronson
  • Patent number: 6913318
    Abstract: An adjustable seat support assembly for a wheelchair. The seat support assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back frame. The seat bottom frame has at least two spaced apart beams. Each beam includes at least one channel that extends along at least a portion of the beam. Preferably the channel extends along the entire length of the beam. A seat plate is mounted to and extends between the beams. The seat back frame includes two vertical supports. Each support has an upper end and a lower end. At least one back frame cross-bar is attached to and extends between the vertical supports. A mounting bracket is attached to the lower end of each support and removably attached to a channel in one of the beams. Preferably there are two or more channels formed in each beam, one channel in the bottom and the other in the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Scott Higley, Walter A. Watkins, Gerald White, Michael J. Rozaieski, Thomas M. Hale
  • Patent number: 6877812
    Abstract: A support apparatus is provided for use in the field of workstation design. The support apparatus is movably attachable to a seating device to selectively provide both dorsal and ventral support to a seated user. The support apparatus is movable, by a user in the seated position, between the position providing ventral support and the position providing dorsal support. Also provided is a method of selectively supporting either the ventral or dorsal side of a user by one apparatus, the apparatus moveable by a user in the seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Neutral Posture, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome J. Congleton, Mark E. Benden, Rebecca Congleton Boenigk, John C. Guillen
  • Patent number: 6820914
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle is equipped with a rear seat bench which has a backrest and a seat cushion. The backrest and seat cushion are divided, in each case, into a ⅓ part and a ⅔ part. The backrest parts can be deposited in a storage space of the respective, assigned seat cushion part. The ⅔ seat cushion part is of removable design. Arranged behind the rear seat bench is a loading space having a height-adjustable loading floor which can be adjusted between a lower position in which the loading floor is situated approximately level with a vehicle floor, and an upper position in which an auxiliary storage space is formed between the loading floor and the vehicle floor. This auxiliary loading space is dimensioned in such a manner that the removed ⅔ seat cushion part can be accommodated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: DaimerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hagen Behrends, Dieter Henke, Bernd Loeper
  • Publication number: 20040189073
    Abstract: A desk chair that is adjustable to accommodate a variety of different body sizes and shapes, and particularly to accommodate changes in body size and shape of children over several years between young childhood and adulthood. The chair includes a seat, a back support, and a pair of arm rests on opposite sides of the seat. The chair has adjustment mechanisms that allow the chair to be adjusted in several different ways, including the depth of the seat, the heights of the back support and the arm rests, and the positions of the arm rests in a substantially lateral plane relative to the seat and the back support. The chair also has a mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat over a range which is especially adapted for growing children, which results from positioning a height control adjustment mechanism substantially entirely within a support base for the chair, extending downwardly between the legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Donald Chadwick, Francisco Romero
  • Patent number: 6767040
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a folding seat assembly for a vehicle having a floor, comprising a seat cushion mounted to said vehicle floor and a seat back independent of said seat cushion and pivotally mounted on tracks to allowing said seat back to be moved away from said seat cushion and folded forward into a substantially horizontal position producing a cargo area over said folded seat. The folding seat assembly being mountable in a vehicle without modification to the vehicle floor pan or the need for special mounting brackets to provide a seat storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Nizar Freijy
  • Patent number: 6767053
    Abstract: A back support for an ATV having a seat in front of a rear rack includes a base secured to the rear rack and attached to a back support through a rail. Optionally, a rail support connects to the base to the rail and a bracket attaches the back support to the rail. The angle, and optionally the height, of the back support with respect to the base is selectively adjustable, optionally over a continuous range, by changing the location where the rail attaches to the rail support. Optionally, the spacing between the back support and seat is selectively adjustable, optionally over a continuous range, by changing the location where the bracket attaches to the rail. Optionally, the base is held to the rear rack using float mounts positioned over the base and fasteners. Optionally, grip handles are attached to the base using grip mounts disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce Crounse
  • Patent number: 6695378
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat portion and an adjustable backrest portion which is movable between a forward operating position and a rearward operating position relative to the seat portion. Both the upper and lower sections of the backrest portion move upwardly relative to the seating portion when the backrest portion moves from the forward operating position to the rearward operating position. A lockable adjustment mechanism is included to enable a user to lock the backrest in a suitable position from the forward to the rearward operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Corbin Pacific, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Hanagan
  • Patent number: 6659560
    Abstract: An office chair includes three connecting element fixedly to a bottom of the seat for the back, the left armrest, and the right armrest to be detachably fitted to respectively; each of the back and the armrests has a support plate having several locating holes; the connecting elements allow respective support plates to be slid on; the support plates can't move up to separate from the connecting elements after having been slid onto the latter. Each of the connecting elements has a spring-loaded locating pin fitted thereto, which can be made to engage one of the locating holes of respective support plates to securely fix the support plates to the seat; thus, the back and the armrests can be adjusted in position, and can be detached from the seat for the chair to occupy less space in packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Ching-Hui Chi
  • Patent number: 6623061
    Abstract: A self-actuating base covering system for a vehicle which includes a foldable seat and a coverable area adjacent a back of the seat includes at least one guide surface along the seat back and a rigid panel. The panel has a first end portion fixed against movement in a horizontal direction and a second opposite end portion in slidable engagement with at least one guide surface. The panel is dimensioned so as to extend at least partially across the coverable area. The second end portion of the panel slides along the at least one engagement surface and the back of the seat during movement of the seat between a lowered position and a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: James W. Tourangeau, Michael V. Harris
  • Patent number: 6619745
    Abstract: A chair having an adjustable seat (1) and back (3) has a connection assembly for connecting the back to an adjustment mechanism (4) of the chair. The assembly has a rigid L-shaped connection bar (7) one end (7b) of which is insertable into a receiving structure (4a) of the mechanism (4). A catch mechanism is provided to hold this end (7b) in a locking position in the receiving structure (4a). The catch mechanism can be released e.g. with a screwdriver inserted through a side aperture (26) to allow ready removal of the back (3). The end (7b) may have a projection (8) which engages a hole (15) and a spring loaded wedge member (25) may be provided to hold the end (7a) between upper and lower plates (17, 12). This wedge member (25) may be slidable back in a slot (20) against the spring loading for release of the catch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Unit Press Limited
    Inventors: Simon Vincent Harby Roberts, Mark Grant Jones
  • Patent number: 6616234
    Abstract: An article of furniture including an adjustable back which is held in place by at least one support member and a seat member, a first end portion of the support member and a second end portion of the support member being adapted for mounting to the seat member and to the back, each support member being invertible in a manner such that the back is held in either a first position or a second position, the effective depth of the seat member as defined by the distance from a front edge to a rear edge proximate the back being greatest when the back is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: David Russell King
  • Publication number: 20030107249
    Abstract: A bench is provided for use by at least two persons of similar or differing heights. The bench includes a seat, a back, pivotal members and a support. The pivotal members are held in a substantially vertical position adjacent to the back by a release mechanism. Unlocking the release mechanism results in the pivotal member pivoting to a substantially horizontal position adjacent to the seat. The pivotal member may be locked in this position by a locking mechanism. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, the back may be horizontally displaced towards the front of the seat, when the pivotal member is in the substantially horizontal position. Thus, the bench may accommodate two persons simultaneously, such as an adult and a child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Krisann Misthos, Chris N. Misthos, Vincent Foullois
  • Patent number: 6533341
    Abstract: The backrest of a rear seat of a motor vehicle presents a frame, which lower fastening means pivoting on the body of the motor vehicle on a transverse axis and which upper fastening means to the body can be released to rotate the backrest forwards for extending the motor vehicle luggage compartment. The lower pivots are shaped so to pivot the backrest on the body of the motor vehicle with the lower part of the backrest arranged either in a first most advanced operative position or in a second most retracted operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Francesco Marinelli
  • Patent number: 6520578
    Abstract: A chair for a female in labor that includes a frame, and a ball for providing a seat for the female in labor. The frame includes a base, a back support member, and a horizontal moving assembly for movably adjusting the back support member horizontally relative to the base. The base includes a rim portion, a plate, and a pair of feet. The back support member includes a pair of feet, a pair of legs that have a pair of lower portions and a pair of upper portions, a transverse member, a plate with a throughslot, a back support assembly, and a vertical moving assembly for movably adjusting the back support assembly vertically relative to the upper portions of the pair of legs thereof. The back support assembly includes a cushion. The horizontal-moving assembly includes a pair of sleeves, and a pair of pins. The vertical moving assembly includes a threaded shaft, a pair of pins, and an internally threaded pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventors: Erik Jospa, Gerald Jospa
  • Patent number: 6494531
    Abstract: A vehicle seat allowing an occupant to face in a first direction or a second direction comprising a seat frame and a seat base having a first seat back and a recess portion. Further, the vehicle seat provides a means for pivotally connecting the first seat back to the seat base and provides for the first seat back to be removably positioned within the recess. A back support assembly having a second seat back is operatively associated with said seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Hoon Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 6488333
    Abstract: A vehicle seat allowing an occupant to either face in a first direction or a second opposed direction is provided. The seat comprises a base that allows for the back rest of the seat to be moved, alternatively, forward or back on a cushion such that the user may select whether he will ride facing towards the direction of the automobile's movement or facing away from the direction of movement. The seat further comprises a pop-up seat cushion which allows the occupant to open up the seat cushion to sit more securely within the seat cushion while having side cushions for added support and impact resistance. The present apparatus provides better security for small children and pregnant, elderly or otherwise more fragile adults. The seat allows children to be placed such that they do not face the direction of oncoming traffic and instead ride in the more generally agreed to be secure direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Hoon Y. Kim
  • Publication number: 20020175549
    Abstract: A seating system for use in a watercraft is disclosed. The seating system comprises a seat pan adapted to be mounted to the watercraft, a pad coupled to the seat pan and adapted to provide a seating surface for the user, and a back rest coupled to the seat pan. The seating system further comprises a first adjustment mechanism configured to provide for and aft adjustment of the seating position, a second adjustment mechanism configured to provide adjustment of the back rest without having to exit the watercraft, and a third adjustment mechanism configured to provide adjustment of the seating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Murray W. Hamilton, Andrew S. Galdwin, Gary Seaman, Raymond H. Klein, David E. Vanderveen
  • Patent number: 6467848
    Abstract: A chair includes a bottom board having a channel for receiving an extension of an arm of a seat back, a mounting plate secured to the bottom board and engaged on the extension of the arm, and a supporting base device secured to the mounting plate and the bottom board. The mounting plate includes one or more cusps engaged with the bottom board for forming a gap between the mounting plate and the bottom board and for allowing the base device to be solidly secured to the mounting plate. The bottom board includes a reinforcing bulge for reinforcing the bottom board of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: Gin Chong Gien, Wen Huang Tseng
  • Patent number: 6409266
    Abstract: A device for adjusting lateral position of a chair armrest relative to a chair seat comprises a base securely attached to the chair seat and having a number of positioning holes, an extension extended from an armrest of the chair and slidably received in the base along a lateral direction relative to the seat, and a positioning member including an intermediate portion pivotally attached to the extension, a first operative end, and a second end releasably engaged with at least one of the positioning holes. A mounting member is mounted to the underside of the positioning member and has a stub extended through a through-hole in the intermediate portion of the positioning member. A bolt is extended through the stub and engaged with the extension, thereby pivotally mounting the positioning member between the extension and the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Su-Jan Chen
  • Patent number: 6394547
    Abstract: A seat or chair that includes a seat back that is moveable so that it may be positioned to provide primary support to the spine and surrounding tissue centered on the region between the 2nd lumbar vertebrae and the 11th thoracic vertebrae of a user of the chair. Support in this region assists the spine in maintaining a good posture, and may also partially support the weight of the spine above the lumbar region of the spine. Another aspect of the seat or chair comprises a seat or chair configuration that provides a selected degree of traction applied to the lumbar region of the spine when the user leans back in the seat or chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: David J. Vik
  • Patent number: 6371556
    Abstract: A seat cushion is to pivot to be in a horizontal reversed state and it has a back side. A seat back is to pivot to be in a horizontal reversed state and has a reverse side. The reverse side in the horizontal reversed state has a height substantially equal to one of the back side of the seat cushion in the horizontal reversed state. An arm is attached to a lower end of the seat back and supports the lower end of the seat back to be rotated. A roller is fixed to a lower end of the arm and projects outward in a transverse direction of a vehicle body. A slide rail is fixed to a floor and engages with the roller to be slid forward and rearward. A lock mechanism detachably engages with the roller. A back link is connected to an intermediate fulcrum of the seat back above the roller and is connected to one of an intermediate portion of the slide rail and a peripheral member around the portion. A stopper is provided at the lower end of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., LTD
    Inventor: Tomiji Arai
  • Patent number: 6244662
    Abstract: A wheelchair including a chassis (2) and an articulated height adjustment structure (12) with a seat, foot rest and back is disclosed. The articulated structure is made up of two symmetrical and lateral articulated systems, each having a first folding quadrilateral (17) with upper and lower bars (18, 19), pivoted at the front to the chassis and at the back by a spacer (20), and a second folding quadrilateral which helps to support the foot rest and connects the chassis at the front to the first quadrilateral. Each spacer is in the form of a triangular plate connected to the upper and lower bars (18, 19) by fixing nuts which can be set in adjustable positions on the bars. The spacers on opposite sides of the wheelchair are connected by a crosspiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: I.D.C. Medical
    Inventor: François Porcheron
  • Publication number: 20010002763
    Abstract: A chair having an adjustable seat (1) and back (3) has a connection assembly for connecting the back to an adjustment mechanism (4) of the chair. The assembly has a rigid L-shaped connection bar (7) one end (7b) of which is insertable into a receiving structure (4a) of the mechanism (4). A catch mechanism is provided to hold this end (7b) in a locking position in the receiving structure (4a). The catch mechanism can be released e.g. with a screwdriver inserted through a side aperture (26) to allow ready removal of the back (3). The end (7b) may have a projection (8) which engages a hole (15) and a spring loaded wedge member (25) may be provided to hold the end (7a) between upper and lower plates (17, 12). This wedge member (25) may be slidable back in a slot (20) against the spring loading for release of the catch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventors: Simon Vincent Harby Roberts, Mark Grant Jones
  • Patent number: 6224081
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a motorcycle. The motorcycle includes a backrest that is coupled to a shaft. The shaft is positioned inside a torsion spring that inhibits rotation of the shaft in order to prevent movement of the backrest in a rearward direction. The backrest is adjusted rearwardly by disengaging the torsion spring from the shaft in order to permit the shaft and backrest to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: Stephanie J. Wayman, Richard A. Peller
  • Patent number: 6220664
    Abstract: A base structure for a chair seat includes a base mounted to an underside of the chair seat. Two lateral walls of the base include aligned vertical slots. A first pin is slidably extended through the aligned vertical slots. One of the lateral walls includes a retaining slot with a number of vertical retaining positions. The other of the lateral walls includes a guiding slot in alignment with the retaining slot A swivel seat includes a first end pivotally mounted between the lateral walls of the base by a second pin. The swivel seat is connected to an end of a backrest to pivot therewith. An adjusting rod has a first operative end and a second end extended through a second end of the swivel seat and the lateral walls of the base. The second end of the adjusting rod is releasably engaged with one of the vertical retaining positions, thereby allowing adjustment of an inclination angle of the backrest relative to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Ming-Hao Lee
  • Patent number: 6209963
    Abstract: A chair control mechanism for a chair assembly having a seat and a back includes an arrangement for mounting the lower end of a back support member, for positioning the back above the seat. The chair control mechanism includes a variable configuration mounting area so as to enable different back support members to be used with the same basic chair control mechanism structure. In one version, the variable configuration mounting area is provided by engaging one of a series of inserts within a transverse rear wall defined by the chair control mechanism. Each insert defines a passage configured to receive the lower seat mounting section of a back mounting member having a different set of dimensions, and the seat mounting section of the back mounting member extends through the passage and is engaged with the chair control mechanism by means of a fixed fastener-type arrangement or by a hand screw received within a slot for providing adjustability in the position of the back relative to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Miotto International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Gust, Michael N. Klein
  • Patent number: 6199945
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a seat frame and a seat base with a back support assembly including a first backrest and a second backrest longitudinally movable along the seat frame from a first position to a second position enabling a seated occupant to rest the his back against the first backrest and face in a first direction and reversibly enabling a seated occupant to rest his back against a second backrest and face in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Hoon Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 6095611
    Abstract: A modular backrest system for a wheelchair is removably attached to backrest posts of the wheelchair. The backrest system includes a back support that provides a surface against which the back of a wheelchair user rests, and a support chassis mounted to the back support for supporting the back support at a desired incline with respect to the posts, and at a desired seat depth with respect to the seat. An attachment assembly is further included that is operably connected to the support chassis at two locations and to the posts to allow the support chassis and back support to be readily removed from or attached to the chair. The particular back support employed in conjunction with the support chassis is based upon the support needs of the wheelchair user. One embodiment of the back support includes a backing plate, and a cushion or insert attached to a forwardly presented face of the backing plate against which the back of the individual rests when sitting on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Roho, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Bar, Dennis L. Clapper
  • Patent number: 6086157
    Abstract: An ergonomic support for maintaining a user in an erect sitting posture, including a seat, a knee brace and a backrest, the position of which are adjustable relative to one another. Also set forth is a self-contained ergonomic chair which includes a frame to be supported on a floor, a seat supported to the frame, a backrest supported to the frame to the rear of the seat, a knee brace supported with respect to the frame to be positioned forward of the seat, and a manual adjustment mechanism operable by a person seated in the chair to adjust the forward and rearward spatial relationships of the seat, the backrest and the knee brace with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Victor Toso