Armrest Patents (Class 297/411.2)
  • Patent number: 7717518
    Abstract: An elbow support apparatus with distal sides and front, back, upper and lower sides constructed as a cushioned or inflatable device having at least a flexible upper surface and a lower surface configured to fit on the lap of the driver of a motor vehicle when the driver is seated adjacent the steering wheel of the vehicle whereby the elbows of the driver are supported such that the driver's hands are maintained in the 9:15 position on the steering wheel; the device is provided with an apron attached to the front side, fasteners attached to each of the distal sides, plural fasteners attached to the back side, and plural, inverted u-shape locating members configured on the lower side of the cushion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventors: Francis Nji Elung, Anthony Rollando Robinson
  • Patent number: 7708340
    Abstract: A massage chair of the present invention includes an electric reclining mechanism for moving a backrest into different sloping positions, left and right holding mechanisms for respectively holding user's left and right forearms, and a controller for controlling operations of the mechanisms. The controller separately controls operations of the electric reclining mechanism and the left holding mechanism as well as operations of the electric reclining mechanism and the right holding mechanism. When controlling the former operations, the controller controls (A) allow the left holding mechanism to hold the left forearm, (B) allow the electric reclining mechanism to recline the backrest to any of the different sloping positions, (C) allow the electric reclining mechanism to raise the backrest to any of the different sloping positions, and (D) allow the left holding mechanism to release the left forearm. Similarly, the controller controls the latter operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Tanizawa, Satoshi Kajiyama, Masamichi Miyaguchi, Daisuke Tsukada, Fumihiro Nishio, Takeo Iijima, Yuichi Nishibori
  • Patent number: 7669935
    Abstract: There is provided a chair capable of providing protection to an occupant in the event of an explosion. The chair may provide a protective “cocoon” for an occupant and may intercept projectiles such as debris, fragments and glass shards. The chair may also reduce blast over-pressure acting on an occupant's ears, reduce shock levels acting on an occupant's lungs and provide protection against an occupant being unseated by an explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael John Crossley, Kenneth Holt
  • Publication number: 20100033005
    Abstract: An armrest a rope control mechanism is disclosed. The rope mechanism consists of a rope with certain length and a soft tube covering the rope with about same length. The top end of the rope connects to a control button while the lower end of the rope extends downwards and connects with a control member of a seat adjustment mechanism or a seat back adjustment mechanism inside a bottom plate. When the user operates the control button to pull the rope moving up, the rope synchronously pulls the control member of the seat adjustment mechanism or the seat back adjustment mechanism so as to make the seat adjustment mechanism or the seat back adjustment mechanism work. Thus the convenience of operation and adjustment are improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Hwang-Pao Lee
  • Publication number: 20100026075
    Abstract: A specifically designed stool to be used in performing one of the most common activities of daily living—putting on and taking off one's shoes and socks. It is designed for senior citizens and others who because of the normal aging process or because of injuries to their backs and/or knees or even feet have limited motion ability and/or balance problems. It consists of a seat and footrest and armrests of the correct heights, widths and depths to make this task much easier and more comfortable It is designed to look like a normal piece of furniture and is light and portable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Robert F. Zenisek
  • Patent number: 7654597
    Abstract: An armrest retracting mechanism for host vehicle armrests during side impact vehicle collision events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: S. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 7641284
    Abstract: A slideable armrest, which may form a lid of a vehicle console compartment, comprises a cover and a base slideably connected to each other by slideable engagement between at least one guide and at least one guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Jones, Jeremy Lee
  • Publication number: 20090302661
    Abstract: An armrest apparatus and chair including one or more armrest apparatuses are disclosed. Each armrest apparatus includes an armrest member attached to at least one chair component. The armrest member has a first aperture and a second aperture. A first plate is positioned above the armrest member. The first plate has a longitudinal slot that is transverse to the first and second apertures. An armrest cover is attached to the first plate. A resilient device is positioned between the first plate and the armrest cover or between the first plate and the armrest member. The resilient device has a first hole sized and configured to receive the first member and a second hole sized and configured to receive the second member. A first member extends through the first aperture, first hole and the longitudinal slot and a second member extends through the second aperture, second hole and the longitudinal slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Melhuish, Gregory Allison
  • Patent number: 7614703
    Abstract: An arm attachment for use with a seat having an arm includes a main body having an armrest portion and a container holder at a distal end. A left wall and a right wall extend from the main body proximate the distal end and the container holder portion. A bottom insert extends substantially the length of the armrest portion and has a front end that frictionally engages the left wall and the right wall to retain the bottom insert to the main body where the main body and the bottom insert form a cavity for position in the arm attachment about the arm of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Caddy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter W. A. Bergin
  • Patent number: 7611205
    Abstract: A safety seat assembly includes a seat body and an armrest device. The seat body includes a seat portion and an armrest support disposed on a lateral side of the seat portion. The armrest device includes an armrest component connected pivotally to the armrest support, and a locking component disposed between the armrest component and the armrest support, coupled movably to the armrest component, and rotatable with the armrest component relative to the armrest support between first and second positions. The locking component is movable to engage the armrest support for retaining the armrest component at the first position. The armrest device further includes a control component operable between a locking position for preventing disengagement between the locking component and the armrest support, and an unlocking position for permitting disengagement between the locking component and the armrest support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li
  • Publication number: 20090243352
    Abstract: In herringbone seats of the prior art, armrests on the closed angle side form an obstacle for the passengers in the seat in case of a shock, since the latter are generally projected along the axis of the vehicle and thus towards the armrest thus creating a high risk of injury for the passenger in case of a shock. The present invention provides a secure herringbone arrangement for the armrest of a seat i.e. making it possible to reduce the risk of injuries caused by the armrest, in case of a shock. Therefore, the present invention provides to leave a space between the seating part structure and the armrest to enable the passenger on the seat to be projected along the axis of the airplane in case of a shock without hitting the armrest. More precisely, the aim of the invention is a herringbone arrangement for the armrest of a seat wherein the armrest is angularly shifted with respect to the seat, so as to form a free space (33) between the seat and the armrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: SOCIETE INDUSTRIELLE ET COMMERCIALE DE MATERIEL AERONAUTIQUE-SICMA AERO SEAT
    Inventor: Jeremy Cailleteau
  • Publication number: 20090189428
    Abstract: An office chair is provided with includes a chair arm assembly on each opposite side thereof for supporting the arms of a user. The arm assemblies each include a latching assembly to permit adjustment of the height of an arm cap thereof while maintaining the arm cap at a selected elevation. The latch assembly is engageable with an inner liner provided within a support post. Further, the armrest assembly has a plurality of interconnected and relatively movable plates which permit adjustment of the angular orientation of the arm cap along with adjustment of the arm cap in the front-to-back direction and the side-to-side direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Tim Fookes, Tracy Cook, Keith Shoemaker, Brian Gessler, Rick Roels
  • Publication number: 20090184558
    Abstract: A rotatable armrest assembly comprises: an armrest support adapted to be connected to a base of the child car seat and having an insert hole; and an armrest having top and bottom ends that are opposite to each other in an axial direction, and provided with a shaft that extends into the insert hole so as to permit the armrest to be rotatable relative to the armrest support about an axis of the shaft that extends in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shun-Min CHEN, Jian-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 7556316
    Abstract: An elevating structure for armrests includes an adjusting member including a main part having an engaging slot formed therein corresponding with a successive toothed groove mounted in an auxiliary part including a push button attached on the top end thereof for receiving a first spring. The first spring abuts against the main part, and the auxiliary part is pushed downward. Each tooth of the the toothed groove is provided with an inclined pushing surface corresponding to a locking recess arranged in the engaging slot. A rail member includes a lock member axially fixed thereon for being pressed by a second spring. A lid covers the lock member. The rail member further includes a window arranged thereon so that the lock projection is inserted into the rail member through the window. Thus, the lock projection is biased to engage with one of the locking recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Yu-Shan Lai
  • Publication number: 20090152911
    Abstract: A method of making an armrest that is mountable between adjacent left and right passenger seats includes: separately forming two receptacle parts by molding a prepreg in a first mold assembly, the receptacle parts being adapted to hold personal objects and each having a looped wall surrounding a slot; forming an armrest frame by molding a prepreg in a second mold assembly, the armrest frame including a lower frame portion having a plurality of downwardly extending legs, and an upper frame portion disposed on top of and bridging the legs; and positioning the receptacle parts within the second mold assembly and combining the receptacle parts with the upper frame portion during the forming of the armrest frame in the second mold assembly, thereby providing a one-piece unitary structure having the receptacle parts and the armrest frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Advanced International Multitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Hui Ma, Yu-Lung Chen, Ching-Kun Lee
  • Publication number: 20090152910
    Abstract: An entertainment chair includes a base, a bottom surface positioned on a lower portion of the base and a seating surface positioned opposite the bottom surface. The entertainment chair further includes a support surface formed or removeably attachable with respect to the bottom surface and permitting 360 degrees of rotation of the base relative to a floor surface. The entertainment chair further includes an internal control for translating movement of a user to an entertainment system and may further include a means for operably connecting the entertainment chair to an entertainment medium for receiving a signal produced by the entertainment medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Steve Lee, Chris Daisy
  • Publication number: 20090146480
    Abstract: An armrest for use with a motorized vehicle is provided comprising first and second substantially opposing surfaces elongated longitudinally along the vehicle's interior surface and extending laterally inward therefrom. The armrest also includes a substantially vertical wall portion extending from the inner periphery of the first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces define a plurality of channels oriented substantially parallel to one another and elongated longitudinally relative to the vehicle, in either a parallel or oblique fashion relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The plurality of channels is configured to sustain substantial vertical loading and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral crush load. In addition, the plurality of channels preferably includes one or more partitions within each of the channels that are oriented relative to one another to thereby create a load path for lateral loads imparted to the armrest assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Leo S. Knowlden
  • Patent number: 7533939
    Abstract: An office chair is provided with includes a chair arm assembly on each opposite side thereof for supporting the arms of a user. The arm assemblies each include a latching assembly to permit adjustment of the height of an arm cap thereof while maintaining the arm cap at a selected elevation. The latch assembly is engageable with an inner liner provided within a support post. Further, the armrest assembly has a plurality of interconnected and relatively movable plates which permit adjustment of the angular orientation of the arm cap along with adjustment of the arm cap in the front-to-back direction and the side-to-side direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Fookes, Tracy Cook, Keith Shoemaker, Brian Gessler, Rick Roels
  • Publication number: 20090079235
    Abstract: A chair assembly capable of being stacked vertically and horizontally includes a frame assembled with a turnable seat, a backrest, and armrests; wherein the frame is comprised of two frontal supports and two rear supports; an assembling shaft is horizontally disposed within the frame for holding and allowing the seat to be turned, a positioning rod disposed parallel to the assembling shaft for allowing the seat to be turned upward or downward and keeping the seat upturned or downturned. The assembly and combination of the frame, the backrest, the armrests, and the turnable seat causes that the resulted chair is stacked both horizontally and vertically. Moreover, the disposition of hooks and slots at both sides of the frame further allow the chairs to be aligned and connected together in an orderly manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Tsung-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 7458634
    Abstract: A center armrest for rear seat backs of cars that comprises an armrest upper part and an armrest lower part that are joined together by means of a hinge located at an end face of the armrest. Within a hollow central portion of the armrest, a control mechanism is provided by which the thickness of the armrest is automatically adjusted when the armrest is swiveled down from an out-of-use position where it functions as part of the seat back into the armrest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Schlecht, Jürgen Salewski, Hartmut Bohlke, Wolfgang Sitzler, Olaf Büschgens
  • Publication number: 20080284227
    Abstract: The invention relates to an armrest structure of the back-seat of the heavy-duty motorcycle; wherein, the structure is composed of a linking-sleeve and a handle set at both sides of the fix-base. One rectangular-and-hollow adjusting trough is respectively set at each side of the arc-shaped fix-base to facilitate bolts to be fixed around the cover of the oil box after penetrating; a penetrating-hole is respectively set at the outmost end of both sides to be slipped through by bolt for bolt's integrating with the bottom of linking-sleeve after slipping through; an open-cutting trough and a bolting-hole being reserved around the on-slipping hole, after the upper end of the linking-sleeve contacting with the on-slipping hole set at one end of the handle, the linking-sleeve and the handle will be integrated as one unit via the bolt's bolting force and the fortifying contact force of the open-cutting trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Yu-Chuan Yen
  • Patent number: 7438360
    Abstract: An armrest includes a longitudinal core body having a substantially planar bottom surface, a non-planar top surface, and two opposite lateral surfaces. The non-planar top surface rises upwardly from the lateral surfaces to a middle of the top surface of the core body. A top veneer layer has a top surface, and a bottom connecting surface adhered to the top surface of the core body. Each of the top and bottom connecting surfaces of the top veneer layer has substantially the same outline as that of the top surface of the core body. Two lateral veneer layers have top end faces connected to the bottom connecting surface of the top veneer layer, and inner lateral surfaces adhered respectively to the lateral surfaces of the core body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Pei-Chiang Chung
  • Patent number: 7431396
    Abstract: A portable releasably attachable cushion that can be used with rigid seat armrests to provide extra cushion support for the user's arm. In one embodiment, the cushion may have an outer covering and an inner padded structure. The inner padded structure may be a gel like material. The outer covering may be made of either a leather material or a material that is bacterial resistant. As described the cushion may be entirely non-metallic and non-rigid to aid in storage and portability. The cushion provides for deformable guide means in order to securely engage the cushion of the invention to armrests of various shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Kurtiss L. Dasso
  • Patent number: 7407232
    Abstract: A seat for a child 1 includes a seat portion 10 on which a child can sit, and a pair of armrests 30 disposed on right and left sides of the seat portion 10, each armrest 30 having a relatively larger thickness. Each of the armrest 30 has a body member 32 and an upper half member 33. The upper half member 33 is attached to the body member 32 through hinge mechanisms 35 and 36, such that the upper half member 33 can be pivoted outward. The pivotable upper half member 31 can be moved outward relative to the hinge mechanisms 35 and 36. An upper surface 31a of the pivoted upper half member 31 of the armrest 30 and an upper surface 32a of the body member 32 of the armrest 30 are flush with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Sakamoto, Akira Okahashi
  • Patent number: 7367627
    Abstract: The invention relates to an armchair folding system. According to the invention, the seat (1) and the corresponding armrests (3) are mounted using a tilting hinge system. More specifically, each armrest (3) is mounted to a rotary shaft (4) comprising a spring (5) that is used to raise the armrest (3). Moreover, the side of the armrest (3) is equipped with an angular element (6) on which side panel pins (7) can rest, thereby producing a drag effect in relation to the tilting movement between the seat (1) and each armrest (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Figueras International Seating, S.A.
    Inventor: José Figueras Mitjans
  • Patent number: 7360839
    Abstract: An angle-adjusting apparatus for an office chair includes: a supporting body with an bottom end attached to one side of a seat body of the office chair, a receiving cavity being defined by the front side of the upper portion of the supporting body, a plurality of notches being continuously formed in the front wall of the supporting body; a hollow socket mounted on the supporting body and liftable thereon; a locking shank having a pivot pin disposed at the top thereof and a protrusion at the bottom thereof for fitting into one of the notches, a spring being interposed between the front side of the locking shank and the wall of the hollow socket for providing the locking shank with an elastic pushing force in direction of the notches, a holding portion passing through the through hole of the hollow socket being extended forward from the pivot pin of the locking shank; and an armrest body transversely disposed at the top of the hollow socket and movably connected to the hollow socket so as to perform the ascendi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7357443
    Abstract: A structural article, in particular an equipment article for the interior of a motor vehicle, includes a first, hard-elastic or plastically deformable carrier structure (2) and of a second, soft-elastic component (6) which is connected in one piece to the latter and which sealingly closes the carrier structure provided with recesses (5). There is provision for the recesses (5) to be essentially filled by the soft-elastic component (6) and consequently to be sealingly closed. A method for producing a structural article of this type is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Wolff, Birgit Budde, Otwald Bruns, Hubert Brueckner
  • Publication number: 20080073964
    Abstract: An armrest includes a longitudinal core body having a substantially planar bottom surface, a non-planar top surface, and two opposite lateral surfaces. The non-planar top surface rises upwardly from the lateral surfaces to a middle of the top surface of the core body. A top veneer layer has a top surface, and a bottom connecting surface adhered to the top surface of the core body. Each of the top and bottom connecting surfaces of the top veneer layer has substantially the same outline as that of the top surface of the core body. Two lateral veneer layers have top end faces connected to the bottom connecting surface of the top veneer layer, and inner lateral surfaces adhered respectively to the lateral surfaces of the core body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Pei-Chiang Chung
  • Patent number: 7252338
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes an armrest attached to a seat, and an amrest coupling assembly for coupling the armrest to the seat comprising a linear adjustment mechanism coupled to the armrest, and a rotational adjustment mechanism coupled to the armrest. The linear adjustment mechanism is arranged to enable the armrest to translate along an initial linear axis between a plurality of generally vertical positions. The rotational adjustment mechanism is arranged to enable the armrest to pivot about the rotational axis between a plurality of angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Mark W Crossman
  • Publication number: 20070152488
    Abstract: An arm rest for furniture or other chair or seating applications is described. The arm rest includes a cushion member, a frame component, and an optional covering or protective layer. In certain applications, the arm rest is formed from a vertically lapped fibrous batt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Julie L. York, Gary W. Wolters, Kenneth Assink
  • Patent number: 7178865
    Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a left rear seat portion including a left rear seat base and a left rear seatback, a right rear seat portion including a right rear seat base and a right rear seatback, and a center rear seat portion including a center rear seat base and a center rear seatback. A head restraint assembly is mounted to the center rear seatback and defines a head restraint protrusion distance above the upper seatback surface. The head restraint assembly is movable between a head restraint operational position and a head restraint stowed position. The head restraint stowed position reduces the head restraint protrusion distance for improved visibility. A convenience feature assembly is formed within the center rear seatback and is movable between an convenience feature stowed position and an convenience feature deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke, Kar K. Low, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 7178623
    Abstract: An operator control assembly for a work machine has an armrest, an operator interface, and a base common to the armrest and operator interface. The operator interface has at least one control device. An electronic control module is in communication with the operator interface and at least one component of the work machine, and is mechanically coupled to at least one of the armrest, the operator interface, and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Ginzel, Mark B. Rinkel, Bryan G. Poorman
  • Patent number: 7156466
    Abstract: A chair arm adjustment mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism includes a T-shaped driving member, a spring biased trigger member in a vertical section of the driving member and having a finger tab, a lock members including two bifurcated ends; a positioning member fitted around a portion of the driving member and including a longitudinal channel, and an upper and lower shrouds. Lifting the finger tab will pivot the bifurcated ends of the lock members toward each other until a joining portion thereof is stopped. Releasing the finger tab will lower the trigger member, pivot the bifurcated ends away each other until the joining portion thereof is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Chuan Lin Wang Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Feng-mei Chang
  • Patent number: 7147280
    Abstract: A holding receptacle for vehicles, which, when installed, is integrated in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, has two side walls which are connected to each other in the region of their ends by transverse walls and a bottom to form an upwardly open box which can be used as a storage space. The suitability for a design which is advantageous with regard to weight is improved. It is proposed that a lightweight supporting frame having side wall structures and at least one crossmember structure is provided as the load-bearing structure of the holding receptacle, with a box-shaped insert containing the storage space being held by the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Duerr, Frank Emhardt, Hermann Gaus, Thomas Geisel, Rainer Leucht, Ralf-Henning Schrom, Rainer Tiefenbacher
  • Patent number: 7144067
    Abstract: An arm rest for a door paneling in automobiles, whereby a support member for an arm rest padding has an elongated guiding member at the lower side, the guide member being liftable in guide means, the guide means being fastened to the paneling, in that further locking means for the guide member and the guide means are provided in order lock the guide member in different elevated positions in the guide means and that an actuation element is provided to release the locking means and to allow displacement of the arm rest padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Gramss
  • Patent number: 7114781
    Abstract: A high-technology armrest with integrated buttons connected to a command transmission cable for the adjustment of the seat and the seat back movements of an office chair with articulations for the synchronized movement of the seat plane and the seat back. The invention includes a mobile base of the “rocket launcher” type, from which base a column rises, which is adjustable in height, and which supports the seat plane and the reciprocally hinged seat back. A first armrest of the office chair is equipped near the front end with two side-by-side buttons. A second armrest of the office chair, designed symmetrically to the first, is equipped near the front end with a single-control button, for the function of adjusting the height of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Metalseat SrL
    Inventor: Massimo Costaglia
  • Patent number: 7111905
    Abstract: A toy armchair cushioning and entertainment apparatus for use by a caregiver interacting with a child. The apparatus is secured to the chair arm and a caregiver rests his or her arm on or against the apparatus while holding or cradling a child. Moreover, movement and/or music generated by the apparatus provides entertainment for the caregiver and child. A storage attachment provides a convenient place to store feeding bottles or frequently used items such as books or toys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Catherine Finney
  • Patent number: 7070243
    Abstract: A frame has a pair of laterally spaced tubular supports in a generally inverted U-shaped configuration. A seat panel, in a generally horizontal plane, is secured between the supports. A back panel is supported by the seat panel. A pair of side panels includes one panel coupled to each tubular support. Each panel has an interior wall and an exterior wall. A periphery is provided between the walls. Each exterior wall has a continuous recess congruent with its periphery. The interior wall of each side panel has a discontinuous recess. An inverted U-shaped component extends above the seat panel and a horizontal component is below the seat panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Donald R. Frank
  • Patent number: 6976739
    Abstract: An armrest assembly includes a stationary tube for attachment to a chair. The stationary tube includes recesses in an internal face. A movable tube is inserted in the stationary tube. The movable tube includes an aperture. An armrest is installed on the movable tube. A detent can be inserted into one of the recesses of the stationary tube through the aperture of the movable tube. A rod is inserted in the movable tube. The rod defines a recess for receiving the detent. The recess of the rod includes a shallow portion and a deep portion. A lever is connected with the rod and installed on the armrest in order to move the rod so as to control the detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Chuan Hsing Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 6957867
    Abstract: A height-adjustable armrest for a chair includes a body, a coupling seat, and an adjusting device mounted to the coupling seat. The body includes an arm support section for supporting an arm of a user. The body further includes a tubular section having a vertical slot with a plurality of vertically spaced positioning grooves. The coupling seat includes a longitudinal hole so as to be mounted around the tubular section of the body. The adjusting device includes a push button and a positioning member having a positioning section that is releasably and selectively engaged in one of the positioning grooves. The positioning section of the positioning member is disengaged from the positioning grooves when the push button is pushed, allowing adjustment of a height of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Tung-Hua Su
  • Patent number: 6948775
    Abstract: An office chair armrest includes a support rod, a base, a locating seat, a mounting seat and an upper cover, wherein the base has a chamber having at least one guide rail each provided with engagement grooves; the locating seat has a recess having engagement grooves and at least one engagement block for engaging in on of the engagement grooves of the base by means of resilience of a spring; the mounting seat has at least one engagement block for engaging in one of the engagement grooves of the locating seat by means of resilience of a spring, thereby enabling the office chair armrest to be adjusted to move forward, backward, leftward or rightward by a user himself according to his own need to be in a proper position or at a proper angle that is comfortable for his arm to be rested on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: Po-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 6899396
    Abstract: A chair includes a tubular U-shaped back frame. The back frame defines a pair of spaced apart back legs. A pair of tubular L-shaped side members, each of which defines a front leg and an arm, are connected the back legs. A tubular U-shaped seat frame is connected to each of the front legs and each of the back legs. A connecting member is connected across the seat frame adjacent the connections of the seat frame to the back legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Mercuries Asia, Ltd.
    Inventor: David W. Bales
  • Patent number: 6883872
    Abstract: An armrest of a chair includes an armrest main body arranged on one side of a seat of a chair for allowing a sitter to rest one hand thereon, an adjustment mechanism connected to both the seat and the armrest main body for adjusting the armrest main body with, and an auxiliary security unit securely located opposite an outward side of the armrest main body for allowing the sitter to press the hand against when the sitter is standing up from the seat; thus, the sitter doesn't have to press his the hand against the armrest main body, which might lock ineffectively after adjustment, and will move to cause accidents if the sitter presses it hard when standing up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Wen-Fa Su
  • Patent number: 6859965
    Abstract: A tension relieving apparatus for the arms and neck which combines a generally oblong shaped pillow with first and second ends having attached connecting members which are further attached to first and second resiliently tensioned arm supporting members. The interior portion of the pillow is at least partially filled with a cushioning material conformable to the shape of a portion of the human neck. The arm supporting members allow insertion therethrough of human wrists and forearms and once so inserted generally sustain the forearms at a right angle to the upper arm. Via downward pressure on one or more of the arm members, compensating tension is applied to the neck affording the wearer simultaneous neck support and gravity negating ability to maintain one or more arms in a preferred position for typing activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Gourd
  • Patent number: 6843528
    Abstract: A vehicle trim component is disclosed. The vehicle trim component includes a latch lockout assembly that comprises a latch lockout, a pivot member, and a housing. The latch lockout and pivot member are pivotally secured to the housing and permits physical engagement of the latch lockout against a latch member affixed to the vehicle trim component due to gravitational force when the vehicle trim component is pivoted at a predetermined pivot angle. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jeanette G. Glynn, James Chesney, Adam Walker
  • Patent number: 6781517
    Abstract: A communication and control apparatus includes a control unit having a surface accessible to a person on a bed, the control unit being coupled to a portion of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Moster, Robert M. Zerhusen, Michael W. Hamilton, David W. Hornbach, Scott M. Corbin, Stephane Rivallant
  • Publication number: 20040135418
    Abstract: This and other purposes are fulfilled by the present innovation, according to the characteristics of which in the annexed claims, it solves the problems indicated above by means of a high-technology armrest with integrated buttons connected to a command transmission cable for the adjustment of the seat and the seat back movements of an office chair with articulations for the synchronized movement of the seat plane and the seat back, comprising a mobile base of the “rocket launcher” type, from which base a column rises, which is adjustable in height, and which supports the seat plane and the reciprocally hinged seat back, whereby:
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: METALSEAT Srl
    Inventor: Massimo Costaglia
  • Patent number: 6746085
    Abstract: A method of making a chair component by forming a hollow enclosure in a blow mold, cutting an aperture in a recess on one side of the hollow enclosure just big enough to receive a rigid bracket adapter insert, then filling the hollow interior with a resilient foam behind the rigid bracket adapter insert. The hollow enclosure is in the shape of an armrest and has a recess shaped to fit an arm bracket or substrate of a chair. Three apertures are cut in the recess leaving some material to retain structural integrity of the hollow enclosure skin. The rigid bracket adapter insert is installed through one of the apertures and has a rectangular peripheral ridge to fit around the interior wall of the rectangular recess. The hollow enclosure is then backfilled with a foam behind the rigid bracket adapter insert forming an integral resilient low-cost armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mark S. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040084948
    Abstract: A vehicle trim component is disclosed. The vehicle trim component includes a latch lockout assembly that comprises a latch lockout, a pivot member, and a housing. The latch lockout and pivot member are pivotally secured to the housing and permits physical engagement of the latch lockout against a latch member affixed to the vehicle trim component due to gravitational force when the vehicle trim component is pivoted at a predetermined pivot angle. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Jeanette G. Glynn, James Chesney, Adam Walker
  • Publication number: 20040026970
    Abstract: An upholstered furniture component including a frame; a rigid foam insert attached to the frame; and upholstery material covering the foam insert. The rigid foam insert may be made from expanded polystyrene. And, a layer of padding may between the rigid foam insert and the upholstery material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Matthew William Vassar, Reggie A. Haynes