Extension Of Upper Back Patents (Class 297/396)
  • Patent number: 11696645
    Abstract: A removable headrest for a gaming chair includes a headrest arranged on the top of a chairback of the gaming chair. The headrest includes a headrest frame, a headrest bottom support frame, and a headrest padding. The headrest frame and the headrest bottom support frame are tightly connected. The chairback includes a chairback frame, a chairback top support frame, and a chairback covering. The chairback frame, the chairback top support frame, and the headrest are all arranged in the chairback covering. An installation plate is arranged on the headrest bottom support frame, and the installation plate extends to the outside of the headrest padding. The installation plate and the chairback top support frame are respectively provided with installation holes matched with each other, and the installation plate and the chairback top support frame are tightly connected through the installation holes. The headrest frame and the chairback frame are smoothly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HONG KONG WUDI INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: Peng Wu
  • Patent number: 11602224
    Abstract: A headrest device and a chair having the same are provided. The headrest device includes a support frame, a headrest component and a reset member. The support frame is pivotally connected with the headrest component, and the reset member is connected with the headrest component and configured to drive the headrest component to rotate relative to the support frame. The support frame is provided with a limiting convex block, and the limiting convex block can stop a rotation of the headrest component when the headrest component moves to an initial limiting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Xiaozhao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10736426
    Abstract: A headrest device includes a support frame, a pillow plate, a first driving member and a first transmission member. The first transmission member includes a first transmission rod, two first connecting plates, and two elastic members. Each end of the first transmission rod is respectively provided with a first extending plate pivotally connected to the support frame with a first pivot. Each of the two first connecting plates is pivotally connected to the first extending plate with a second pivot. The headrest device has a first rotating process when there is no obstruction in its path, in which the first transmission member rotates about the first pivot relative to the support frame to tilt the pillow plate, and a second rotating process when there is an obstruction, in which the pillow plate and the two first connecting plate rotate about a second pivot relative to the first extending plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: HAINING MY HOME MECHANISM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhongqiang Fei, Xiqi Sun, Shaoqiang Fei
  • Patent number: 10493882
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided herein. The vehicle seating assembly includes a seat-base. A seatback is pivotally coupled to the seat-base and includes a seatback frame. An upper thoracic support is operably coupled to the seatback frame. The upper thoracic support is configured to move outward from the seatback frame from a stowed position to a deployed position. An actuatable comfort feature is coupled to the upper thoracic support and is configured to extend outward from the upper thoracic support from a retracted position to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Megan Romelfanger, Timothy Hamlin
  • Patent number: 10406063
    Abstract: Medical equipment for High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation treatment to be worn on a thorax, includes a plurality of pressure devices arranged to apply repetitive compressions to the thorax and each including a deformable chamber and at least a port communicating with the chamber configured to let a pressurized fluid flowing alternatively in and out the chamber so that the pressure device alternatively passes from an inflated configuration to a deflated configuration, the equipment including at least a frame for holding the pressure devices substantially perpendicular to the thorax, an outer face of the base being in contact with an inner face of the frame, wherein at least some of the pressure devices are aligned, two consecutive pressure devices being connected together by at least two tubes the distance (D) between the inner face of the frame and each tube connecting two consecutives pressure devices being inferior to 8 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: RESPINNOVATION
    Inventors: Barrett Reed Mitchell, Fausto Parazzini
  • Patent number: 10334951
    Abstract: The invention provides an article of adjustable furniture (10), preferably an adjustable chair or bed, comprising a floor standing base section (16), adjustable seat (18), backrest (20) and headrest (130) sections and actuator means (100) for moving the backrest and headrest sections. The seat section is movably mounted with respect to the base section. The backrest is movably mounted with respect to the seat section and the headrest is movably mounted with respect to the backrest section. The actuator means includes a single actuator (102) for co-ordinated movement of the adjustable backrest and headrest sections for selectively altering the configuration of the article of furniture. The actuator has a first range of movement for moving the headrest with respect to the backrest, and a second range of movement for moving the backrest with respect to the seat section to provide a recliner function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DEWERTOKIN GMBH
    Inventors: Dale Robertson, Paul Brown
  • Patent number: 10308304
    Abstract: An arm rest assembly for a motorcycle is provided having a housing that receives a shaft of the arm rest. A user-operated button is movable between a first position to prevent vertical movement of the support relative to the housing, and a second position to permit vertical movement of the support. A locking mechanism is operable to secure a second sleeve of the assembly to a first sleeve of the assembly to prevent relative movement between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: KURYAKYN HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Kilgriff
  • Patent number: 10272810
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; a seat back that is connected to a rear part of the seat cushion; a head rest; and a connected member that is provided in the head rest. The head rest is arranged on top of the seat back in a standing state through the connecting member. The connecting member has a frame part, which constitutes a frame of the head rest, and a bracket part, which is fixed to the seat back side, in an integrated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sato, Daisuke Miyamoto, Kazuki Aojima
  • Patent number: 9616775
    Abstract: A seat depth adjustment device for a vehicle seat has a seat structure (3) that includes a support plate (6) that is displaceable relative to the seat structure (3) with the aid of a linear guide (7) of the seat structure (3). The seat structure (3) is designed for receiving an upholstery cover. The upholstery cover is pretensioned with the aid of a cover return (22), and wherein the cover return (22) is connected to the support plate (6). Accordingly, the cover return (22) is connected to the support plate (6) in a manner positionable infinitely variably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Benjamin Rehfuss
  • Patent number: 8998335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat part and with a seat back part for supporting a driver of the vehicle in the sitting position on the vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat has an additional vehicle driver's torso support device which can be disposed outside the seat part and the seat back and which can be temporarily disposed at least partially in an otherwise seat-free torso support region in front of the seat back part and laterally and/or above the seat back part, in order to provide support, laterally off-center of the seat back part, at least at the level of the shoulder region of the driver who is sitting on the vehicle seat when he adopts a seated working posture oriented to the side or backwards, and wherein the additional vehicle driver's torso support device comprises a seat back extension device which is disposed on the seat back part (3) so as to be movable in translation along a horizontal axis in order to be able to move the additional vehicle driver's torso support device su
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Katja Buehlmeyer, Erwin Haller, Jens Kolb, Roland Uebelacker, Hermann Meiller
  • Publication number: 20150001899
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a seat back including a polymeric body portion defining a support frame having a plurality of forwardly extending connection pins disposed about a periphery of a forward surface of the support frame. A flexible comfort carrier is disposed over a front surface of the polymeric body portion and includes a multitude of openings defining a support matrix configured to support the weight of a passenger. The body portion includes a plurality of slots configured to receive and engage the plurality of forwardly extending connection pins. A cushion layer extends over the flexible comfort carrier. A head restraint extends upwardly from the forward support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Jay Osterhoff, Raghavan Setlur, Robert Damerow, Majid Arefi, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Brandon Guinn
  • Patent number: 8911016
    Abstract: A seat structure is configured to allow three passengers to be seated, respectively, in a left seat (1L), a right seat (1R), and a region striding across a boundary between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). The left seat (1L) can be slid leftward to create a walk-through space (S) between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). A headrest (1c) for a middle seat passenger seated between the right and left seats (1R, 1L) is split into right and left split headrests each supported on a top of a seat back of a corresponding seat. The middle seat passenger's left split headrest (1c-L) is moved with the left seat (1L) when sliding the left seat (1L) to allow the right and left seats (1R, 1L) to become spaced apart from each other so as to unblock the walk-through space (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8840185
    Abstract: An automobile seat with a massage device (3) with at least one massaging element (3a) to stimulate and/or massage the neck and/or shoulder area which includes a seat back (1) and a headrest (2). The massage device (3) is connected with the seat back (1) on its upper section (1a) facing the headrest (2), and may be adjusted relative to the seat back without having to adjust the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventor: Claudia Worlitz
  • Publication number: 20130313881
    Abstract: A chair includes a backrest, and a head and neck support structure arranged at the top side of the backrest for supporting the head and neck of a person resting on the backrest. The head and neck support includes a neck support portion shaped like a convex bar and transversely arranged at the top side of the backrest, and a plurality of radial V-grooves radially upwardly extended from the top side of the neck support portion and inclining upwardly backwardly from the neck support portion in a smooth manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicants: ORIENTAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: GHI-HWEI KAO
  • Publication number: 20130154332
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle body having a floor and a laterally extending dividing wall for separating a passenger compartment from a rear storage compartment. A rear seat includes a seat base defining a seat surface for supporting a seat occupant and a seat back. The seat back is adjustable relative to the seat base between an upright, seated position and a folded position where the seat back is positioned on the seat base. A lever arrangement pivotally connects the seat back to one of the body and the dividing wall. The lever arrangement is configured to enable the seat back to be folded down and to move the seat back in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the seat base toward the dividing wall so that at least a portion of the seat back protrudes rearwardly past the dividing wall and into the rear storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Derek Shane Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20120274116
    Abstract: A trim assembly for a seat back of a vehicle seat is provided. The seat back has a seat frame and a seat cushion. The trim assembly includes a backboard securable to the seat frame and adapted to form a rear surface of the seat back. The backboard has a channel formed therein and a plurality of spaced apart retaining windows formed along a length of the channel. A trim cover is adapted to cover the seat cushion and form a front surface of the seat back. The trim cover has a cover material portion and a trim retainer connected to the cover material portion. The trim retainer includes an engagement feature. The trim retainer is insertable into the channel such that the engagement feature cooperates with the retaining windows for securing the trim cover to the backboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark Palmer
  • Patent number: 8109571
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat body, a backrest, a first side wing, and an adjusting mechanism. The backrest is connected to the seat body. A hole is formed on the backrest and a first slot is formed on a first side of the backrest. A first side wing is movably disposed through the first slot. The adjusting mechanism is movably disposed in the hole of the backrest and is movably connected to the first side wing. The adjusting mechanism has an actuating part. The actuating part is operable for driving the first side wing to move relative to the first slot telescopically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Excellerate Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Zhong Chen
  • Patent number: 8096613
    Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a foam geometry which reduces the tendency of the child's head to slide forward and roll out by contouring the side foam to have its leading edge closer to the center line of the child's seat than some more rearward portion of the side foam thus forming an inward protruding forward lip on the foam. The depth of the protruding lip is the primary determinant of the increase in head retention, but the particular geometry of the lip, foam density or rigidity, and overall depth also contribute. The invention relates to the contour of a horizontal section of a headrest foam liner being closer to the seat centerline at some distance from the seat back than some distance closer to the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Meeker R&D
    Inventors: William Gibson, Jody M. Malone
  • Publication number: 20110204694
    Abstract: A chair backrest in which a frame-like back frame is covered with a bag-like upholstering material having an open lower end in a state of tension, the back frame being formed by connecting a pair of left and right side portion frames, which extend in an up and down direction, together at upper ends and lower ends thereof by an upper frame and a lower frame which extend in the left and right direction, wherein intermediate portions in the left and right direction of the upper frame and the lower frame are connected to each other by an intermediate frame which is situated behind the both side portion frames and is extended in the up and down direction, thereby causing an intermediate portion of a rear surface portion of the upholstering material to project rearward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: OKAMURA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Igarashi, Ken Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7887135
    Abstract: A headrest device of a chair in which a headrest can be stably supported by a headrest frame and the operation for mounting a vertically moving member of the headrest is easily performed. Guide grooves are formed in the side faces of guide rails at the front faces of the right and left side-rods of the headrest frame. The right and left guide rails are so held by a pair of right and left lifting brackets, which are provided on the rear surface of the headrest and are formed in rearward U-shape when viewed from above, as to be capable of sliding vertically from the front. Projected guide pieces formed to be projected on the inner surfaces of both vertically moving brackets and facing in the vertical direction are slidably fitted into the guide grooves of the right and left guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Okamura Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichiro Oda
  • Patent number: 7862110
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a seat; a backrest, the backrest including a frame having a top edge; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat and backrest that moves the seat and backrest between upright and reclined positions; a headrest including a headrest panel; and a headrest mechanism attached to the backrest and the headrest. The headrest mechanism comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links and is configured to move the headrest between a retracted position, in which the headrest panel is generally horizontally disposed and overlies the top edge of the backrest frame, and an extended position, in which the headrest panel is vertically disposed and is separated from the top edge of the backrest frame. Movement of the seating unit from the upright position to a reclined position moves the headrest from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: W. Clark Rogers
  • Patent number: 7845729
    Abstract: A vehicle seat device includes a seat cushion frame and a seatback frame including a lower-side frame supported at a lower end portion thereof to be tiltable relative to a rear end portion of the seat cushion frame, an upper-side frame arranged at an upper portion of the lower-side frame, and a center bending mechanism coupling the lower-side frame and the upper-side frame to be bendable forward, wherein the center bending mechanism bends the upper-side frame about a rotational center that is ahead of a seatback outer layer covering a front surface of the seatback frame. The movement of the upper-side frame when tilted comes close to the movement of the passenger who bends forward. The slip between the seatback outer layer and the back of the passenger can be minimized, and thus, it becomes possible to lessen an uncomfortable feeling of a passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Sadao Ito, Naoki Goto
  • Publication number: 20090218873
    Abstract: A head rest adjustment system for a furniture member includes a back support member rotatable with respect to a base member. A head rest assembly is connected to the back support member. An adjustment lever rotates the head rest assembly. An actuation link is connected at a first end to the head rest assembly and at a second end to the adjustment lever. Rotating the adjustment lever displaces the actuation link to rotate the head rest assembly to a plurality of support positions. A back support member axis of rotation is spatially separated from an adjustment lever axis of rotation. Rotating the back support member with respect to the base member can independently operate to displace the actuation link to rotate the head rest assembly without rotation of the adjustment lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 7568765
    Abstract: The chair has a sub frame (1) set on the floor, a mechanism (2) set on the sub frame, a seat (3) set on the mechanism (2) and a backrest (7) attached to the mechanism (2). The backrest (7) exhibits a backrest frame (5), which supports an elastically deformable backrest part (6) with a back panel (62). The back panel (62) has a back part (60), to which a head restraint (61) is attached. The backrest (7) is capable of pivoting about a first pivot shaft (D1) from an essentially upright, neutral position to a reclined position displaced towards the rear. The movements of the seat (3) and the backrest (7) are synchronized with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Vitra Patente AG
    Inventor: Egon Bräuning
  • Patent number: 7543888
    Abstract: A vehicle seat can include a seat back and a head rest. The seat back includes an upper half corresponding to a shoulder portion of a passenger, a lower half corresponding to a waist portion of the passenger, and an head rest height adjustment mechanism. The seat back upper half is connected to a structural component of the head rest or a movable component of the head rest height adjustment mechanism, so as to be vertically moved relative to the seat back lower half when the head rest height adjustment mechanism is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Kuno
  • Publication number: 20090134684
    Abstract: An active headrest assembly for a vehicle includes a headrest supported by a seat back frame. An active plate is connected to the headrest and has guide slots defined therein. Guide pins are inserted through the guide slots to slide along the guide slots. A lumbar unit has a support wire secured to the guide pins and is rotatably connected to the lower end of the seat back frame. A returning unit elastically connects the active plate and the lumbar unit with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Sang Do Park, Dong Woo Jeong, Joo Yeong Yu
  • Publication number: 20090051207
    Abstract: One aspect is a furniture piece configured for seating. The furniture piece includes first and second contours and a spreader mechanism coupled between the first and second contours. A three-dimensional cover envelope having panels in each of three-dimensions is configured over the first and second contours and the spreader mechanism thereby surrounding the contours and spreader mechanism. The cover envelope is tensioned in each panel creating a simulated cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Philip Behrens, Donald L. Bottemiller
  • Publication number: 20080246323
    Abstract: A vehicle seat can include a seat back and a head rest. The seat back includes an upper half corresponding to a shoulder portion of a passenger, a lower half corresponding to a waist portion of the passenger, and an head rest height adjustment mechanism. The seat back upper half is connected to a structural component of the head rest or a movable component of the head rest height adjustment mechanism, so as to be vertically moved relative to the seat back lower half when the head rest height adjustment mechanism is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru KUNO
  • Publication number: 20080211286
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headrest for a vehicle, a method for producing a headrest, and a vehicle seat comprising a headrest. The headrest is provided with a body (2) and a holding element (3). A filling material (23) is provided between a connection part (22), used to connect the holding element (3) to the headrest body (2), and a cover (21). The connection part (22) and the cover (21) define an essentially tight space in relation to the filling material (23) when the filling material (23) is in the essentially liquid processing state thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Philippe Morilhat, Francois Zaepfel, Paul Quirin, Eugenie Geisinger, Yves Olland, Nicolas Mehl
  • Patent number: 7275792
    Abstract: Child seat for motor vehicles with a seat shell and backrest, at the upper end of which a head support (10) with lateral wings (11) projecting towards the front is disposed. The inclination of the head support (10), at least of a headrest (12) disposed between the two lateral wings (11) of the same, can be adjusted relative to the backrest (arrows 13, 14), in particular, between an upright, waking position “W” extending approximately parallel to the backrest and a resting or sleeping position “S” inclined towards the rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Cybex Industrial, Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Pos
  • Patent number: 7216916
    Abstract: A removable flipper panel system for a vehicle includes a rod housing mounted on a seat support member which is movable with respect to a load floor of the vehicle. A load bearing blow-molded hard panel hides the gap which is formed between seat and load floor when the seat moves. The system includes a rod and spring assembly mechanism having a configuration to sustain the panel in adjustable positions between a generally planar position and an upright position. The flipper panel attaches to the seat to provide movement for the panel in the planar position to hide the gap and space between the seat and the load floor and to maximize the cargo area. The attachment of the flipper panel to the seat has a locking feature permitting the flipper panel to be removed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, ABC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Czerwinski, Seyed R. Hashemizad, James Axiotis, Mosen Sepasi
  • Patent number: 7168765
    Abstract: A seat for a person has a seat part adapted to be fixed in a vehicle and having an upper seating surface on which the person sits, and a seat back extending upward from a rear edge of the seating surface and having a front surface adapted to be leaned against by the person in the seat, facing forward in a vehicle travel direction, and extending upward to an upper region that is upholstered and on a level to engage the head of the person in the seat. The upper region of the seat back is formed with a hollow having a forwardly directed rear surface and a pair of flanking side surfaces extending forward in the direction from outer edges of the rear surface. The side surfaces are horizontally spaced transverse to the direction so as to spacedly flank the head of the person in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Grammar AG
    Inventors: Hermann Meiller, Richard Ott
  • Patent number: 7055909
    Abstract: A chair pillow includes a secured member fixed on a top of a back of a chair, an intermediate member, and a pillow body; the intermediate member is pivoted to the secured member at a first end thereof such that it is normally held in position by the secured member, and can be forced to change orientation relative to the secured member; the pillow body is pivoted to a second end of the intermediate member at a rearwards projecting portion thereof such that it is normally held in position by the intermediate member, and can be forced to change orientation relative to the intermediate member; therefore, the pillow body can be adjusted in position as well as in the orientation relative to the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Comfordy Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Ling Wu
  • Patent number: 7040707
    Abstract: A seat back of automotive seat, which comprises an upper seat back portion and a lower seat back portion. A foam padding of the upper seat back portion is greater in hardness than that of the lower seat back portion. A vent element is provided in each of the two seat back portions. The vent element may include a through-hole or a recessed portion, and/or a netted element provided on the lower seat back portion. The upper seat back portion is fixedly connected with the lower seat back portion in an integral manner by means of a connecting element disposed within both of those two seat back portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Nakahara
  • Patent number: 6983996
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) as a head-rest (5) which is mounted for movement about a horizontal axis defined by a bar (7) depending arms (12) extend downwardly into the back of the seat and carry a pressure plate (13) at a position behind the torso of the occupant of the seat so that pressure applied to the pressure plate (13) will cause the head-rest (5) to move forwardly. The pressure plate (13) is pivotally connected (14, 15, 16, 17) to the arms (12) to enable the arrangement to pivot to the maximum extent in a situation where the rear part of the seat is rigid, for example if the seat is a rear seat in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Anders Svantesson
  • Patent number: 6550856
    Abstract: Vehicle seat (1), in particular for a two-door automobile, with a seat back (3) and a headrest (3a, 5, 5a) integrated into the seat back, wherein one section (3a) of a seat-back frame forms a carrying structure of the headrest, and the headrest comprises a cushion carrier part (5) mounted in such a way that it can move with respect to the seat-back frame when the seat back is tilted forward, so that the overall length of the seat back is reduced when tilted forward with respect to the resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Antje Ganser, Alexander Koblischke
  • Publication number: 20020149237
    Abstract: The invention relates to a head restraint for vehicles of any kind with a support with upholstery portion. The head restraint is comprised of two detachably connected half shells which have collectors for receiving and collecting light, corresponding solar modules for conversion of the light into electrical energy, and storage elements for storing this energy. The half shell of the head restraint, arranged rearwardly in the travel direction, has a frame for receiving a detachable component for various purposes, such as an illuminated vanity mirror, a screen, or the like. Within a second removable component, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with a hydrogen cartridge can be provided for additional energy generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Hermann-Frank Muller
  • Patent number: 5829838
    Abstract: An integral seatback frame and headrest frame cushion and cover that accommodates angular and/or upward motion of the headrest relative to the seatback. A lower, primary cushion and integral, upper front flap cover the front of the seatback frame and headrest frame respectively, concealing the gap between the two. A rear flap covers most of the back surface of the headrest frame, and the two flaps are not secured tightly to the surfaces of the headrest frame, but have some internal clearance therefrom. When the headrest frame rocks forward, the two covering flaps travel with it without binding or stretching the cushion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Lon A. Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 5683141
    Abstract: A seat head rest for a vehicle includes a stay member for being mounted on a seat back, a rigid frame pivotably mounted on the stay member and a pad member fixed to the rigid frame forming a head rest body with the rigid frame, wherein the rigid frame further includes a frictional portion which is integrally formed with the rigid frame and which frictionally engages the stay member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Aisin Seki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Wakamatsu, Nobuhiko Takeda, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Patent number: 5673972
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a lower support frame with a seat back frame pivotally connected to the lower support frame. The back frame includes a headrest portion with an aperture formed therethrough. First and second recliner brackets are secured to the lower support frame between the lower support frame and seat back frame, and each recliner bracket forms a slot therein. A seat dump mechanism includes a lever extending from the aperture with first and second cables operatively connected to the lever. First and second lock-pins are operatively connected to the cable and selectively movable between the first position in which the first and the second lock-pins are engaged within the first and second slots, and a second position in which the first and second lock-pins are disengaged from the first and second slots such that the back frame is disengaged from the recliner to allow pivotal movement of the back frame with respect to the lower support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene S. Dudash, William Barr
  • Patent number: 5580124
    Abstract: A vehicle-installed supporting seat for a passenger is provided, which includes a seat back provided with an integral head-neck restraint comprising a cranium support portion and a cervical spine support portion. Each portion includes a layer of resilient material supported on an underlying inflexible support shell, which together act to effectively define a contour that interfits with the posterior contour of the passenger's cranium and cervical spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Ronald P. Dellanno
  • Patent number: 5378041
    Abstract: A wheelchair construction which includes both removable patient foot supports and an outwardly extending patient leg support which can function to support the patient's legs in an upraised position when the foot supports have been removed.The wheelchair construction also includes an easily removable inclined back support assembly having connector elements which are telescopically receivable within upstanding tubular rear members of the wheelchair mainframe for supporting the patient in a more comfortable reclined position. The leg support and inclined back support assemblies permit the wheelchair patient to shift positions and achieve a greater degree of comfort than is provided by the standard wheelchair back and foot supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Don W. Lee
  • Patent number: 5356202
    Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a cantilever-type headrest in a seat, in which the headrest is inclined at an angle compensating for an illusional headrest inclination which occurs in the eyes of a person looking at such cantilever-type headrest appearance. Further, the headrest is dislocated from a common central vertical line with respect to a seat back of the seat, to thereby offset an illusional headrest dislocation towards a side of seat back where there is no headrest stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co. Ltd
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Itoh
  • Patent number: 5348376
    Abstract: An arrangement of a headrest on a seat, in a type wherein the headrest is supported via one single stay upon a seat back of the seat, the arrangement being such that the lower portion of the stay is fixed via a sleeve element within a bracket upon a seat back frame. The sleeve element passes through the stay in its diameter-wise direction and both ends of such sleeve element are abutted against the inner walls of both lateral sections of the bracket, to thereby rigidly accept a strong fastening force of bolts which are used to fix the lower portion of stay to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Natori
  • Patent number: 5346277
    Abstract: A headrest mechanism suitable for use in a seating unit comprising a headrest plate movable between a retracted position and an extended position having a lower front edge, means for actuating the headrest plate between the retracted position and the extended position pivotally interconnected to the headrest plate, and means for fixedly mounting the headrest mechanism onto the seating unit pivotally connected to the actuating means is disclosed. In the retracted position, the headrest plate is disposed generally horizontally, with the lower front edge being separated from a fixed point on the mounting means by a first distance, and in the extended position, the headrest plate is disposed generally vertically, with the lower edge being separated from the same fixed point on the mounting means by a second distance, the second distance being substantially greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Holobaugh, W. Clark Rogers
  • Patent number: 5322347
    Abstract: A head rest apparatus comprises a sole stay, a head rest main body movably supported on the sole stay, a guide rod fixed in the head rest main body, a rail disposed in the head rest main body and fixed on the sole stay, a guide member slidably supported on the guide rod and the rail, a screw rotatably supported in the head rest main body, a nut supported on the rail and engaged with the screw, a cushion disposed between the rail and the nut, and a motor connected to the screw or the nut. A load imparted to the head rest main body is absorbed by the sliding movement of the guide member and the distortion of the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Takeda
  • Patent number: 5145197
    Abstract: A folding wheelchair has a rigid seat, leg support members stored in a compartment within the seat, a rigid backrest that can be collapsed when the wheelchair is folded, armrests that can be swung toward the seat or the backrest, and wheels that can be adjusted to raise or lower the seat and/or to shorten or lengthen the wheelbase. The rigid seat can be raised to a position in which the front or the front and rear portions are elevated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Contemporary Medical Equipment Corp.
    Inventor: Armand Gatti
  • Patent number: 5106158
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a child seat module integrally mounted in an automotive bench seat, and including a latch arrangement for rapidly and easily raising and lowering a fold-up head support, along with adjusting the height thereof. The latch arrangement includes features for assuring that the head support is rigidly retained in its respective child and adult use positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew E. Dukatz, Robert W. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5044692
    Abstract: A pivoting top rail headrest for an incliner seat is provided in which the top rail is secured to the top of the fixed back and spans a gap between a fixed back and a backrest when the seat is in an upright position. The top rail pivots downwardly when the body support is moved to a reclining position, and serves as a headrest extension and covers the gap by forming a generally continuous line between the moveable backrest and the top of the fixed back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Super Sagless Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Tidwell, Jr., Donald R. Shutiok
  • Patent number: 4761011
    Abstract: A water cushion assembly for a chair, constructed either as an integral assembly or as an attachment, has a plurality of horizontally-arranged vertically-spaced sections; and each of the casings is provided with an inner casing and respective valves for filling the casings with water (or other liquid) to a predetermined level. Each of the sections has a substantially oval cross-section, wherein the external surfaces of the sections are convex, yet are joined together. The front of the chair has a corresponding plurality of horizontally-arranged vertically-spaced scalloped recesses for supporting the respective sections. The assembly is removably secured to the chair by suitable straps provided with "VELCRO" fibrous fasteners (or other suitable means). Water cushion assemblies for the arm rests are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: Joel L. Sereboff