Angular Adjustment Coincides With Tilting Of The Back For Relative Concurrent Movement Patents (Class 297/411.39)
  • Patent number: 11577631
    Abstract: A seating assembly is provided that includes a seating assembly frame that includes a seatback frame, and a seat frame. The seating assembly further includes a seatback panel coupled to an upper portion of the seatback frame and movable between a stored position relative to the seatback frame and an extended position relative to the seatback frame, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the seatback panel and the seating assembly frame and movable between a first position and a second position in response to an actuating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Line, Joseph Kish, Ratan Howlader, Ian James, Robert Shipley, Patrick Davis, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, David Frederick Lyons, Sean West
  • Patent number: 11478084
    Abstract: A system may include a seat assembly. The seat assembly may include a seat base, a seat portion mounted to the seat base, and an armrest assembly configured to be in an up position or a down position. The armrest assembly may include a handle operable by a user to lock or unlock at least one functionality of at least one adjustable seat assembly feature. Operation of the handle may be configured at least to: unlock the at least one functionality of at least one adjustable seat assembly feature while locking the armrest assembly from moving between the up position and the down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Sharpe, Kyle D. Doughty
  • Patent number: 10829018
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10, 100, 200, 300, 400) includes a seat base (14,114, 214, 314, 414) a backrest (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) with a seat base and backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest. An armrest (16, 216, 216, 316, 416) is connected to the vehicle seat at an armrest to vehicle seat support connection (20,120, 220, 320, 420). An armrest linkage system changes an inclination of the armrest relative to the backrest upon changes in inclination of the backrest relative to the seat base, over a pivot range of motion of the backrest relative to the seat base. This may maintain the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor or may change the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Brent Burton, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Mark Shafer, Michael J. Kapusky
  • Patent number: 10513208
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided including a seat base, a seatback and a seatback recline pivot pivotably supporting the seatback relative to the seat base for pivoting movement of the seatback relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between a full upright position and a full recline position. An armrest is provided having an upper armrest upper surface. An armrest to seatback recline pivot connection pivotably connects the armrest to the seatback recline pivot for pivoting movement of the seatbackarmrest relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between an armrest full upright position and an armrest full recline position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: John Gomez, Kurt Seibold, Mark Milner
  • Patent number: 9901176
    Abstract: A chair has a supporting frame 1, a seat portion 101, a back portion 201 that has an upper end, a lower end, and is pivotally mounted relative to the supporting frame at a position above its lower end, and a recline mechanism 601. The recline mechanism 601 lifts the seat portion 101 upon a reclining action of the back portion 201, and has an operative connection 603, 611 between the seat portion and the supporting frame and a drag link 602 pivotally connected to the seat portion 101 and pivotally connected to the back portion 201 at a position below the pivotal mounting of the back portion relative to the supporting frame. As the back portion 201 of the chair is reclined, the lower end of the back portion 201 moves forward and the drag link 602 pulls the seat portion 101 upward relative to the supporting frame 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Kent Wallace Parker, Gregory William Baum, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Gavin James Bateman, Leon Harley Craze, Jon Leonard Fifield, Mark Rundle Pennington, Wayne Douglas O'Hara, Martyn Walter Goodwin Collings, Paul James Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20150102641
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a first seating unit having a backrest, which includes a front side and a back side. An armrest I operably coupled with an intermediate portion of the back side and is configured for use by a passenger seated in a second seating unit disposed behind but laterally offset from the first seating unit. The armrest is moveable between an in-use position, wherein an upper surface of the armrest is generally horizontally positioned and available to support the passenger, and a stowed position, wherein the armrest is generally adjacent to a rear face of the backrest of the first seating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Teresa Mendicino, Torsten Gerhardt, David Woodhouse, Lewis Blaber
  • Patent number: 8967722
    Abstract: In one aspect, the subject embodiments are directed to a seat that includes a seat bottom and a seat back, wherein the seat back is pivotable with respect to the seat bottom about one or more pivots. A linkage assembly is employed that is coupled to each of the one or more pivots. The linkage assembly includes a linking component that has a first location mounted to the seat bottom and a second location mounted to the seat back. A cam is coupled to the seat back location, wherein a dowel is permanently affixed to the cam. An end distal from the cam, a pin extends perpendicularly from the dowel and is angled at between 20 and 70 degrees upward from a plane formed by an arm channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Neterer, Ron Dick
  • Publication number: 20140225410
    Abstract: An auto-adjustable armrest mechanism for reclining seats is disclosed. The armrest mechanism causes the armrests to follow a more natural movement of an occupant's arms when adjusting the seatback to different angles. The armrest mechanism utilizes a cam that rotates in response to movement of the seatback relative to the seat base. A rod connected to the rotatable armrest is in communication with and, in turn, responsive to the rotation of the cam for defining an auto-adjustable angle between the seatback and the armrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: FLEXSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jerry THUROW
  • Patent number: 8480172
    Abstract: A universal reclining armrest system for use with an articulated examination chair. The system includes an armrest adapter having a universal aperture for receiving a post portion of an armrest assembly. The armrest adapter further includes a splined peg for coupling to a pivoting mechanism of an articulated chair. The pivoting mechanism enables the chair to move throughout an operable range of motion while maintaining a fixed rotational position of an attached armrest adapter. The armrest assembly further includes an adjustable joint to provide 360° of rotational adjustment to the armrest relative to the fixed position of the armrest adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jeff Baker, Mike Bradfield, Brad Baker
  • Patent number: 8403418
    Abstract: A chair, includes a seat structure and a backrest structure arranged pivotally to the seat structure. An armrest is arranged pivotally to the backrest structure through a pivotal connection, and a link mechanism is journalled to the structures of the seat and the backrest, respectively, the link mechanism actuating and controlling the armrest to maintain its pivotal orientation in any pivotal position of the backrest relative to the seat. The armrest is adjustable in the length direction of the backrest through the pivotal connection which is arranged displaceable on the backrest structure, and the pivotal orientation of the armrest is controlled via a sliding engagement between a lever arm, adjoining the armrest at an angle thereto, and an actuator link included in the link mechanism and displaceable thereby with respect to the backrest so as to extend substantially in the length direction of the backrest in all its positions of displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: CombiMobil AB
    Inventor: Tom Lindell
  • Patent number: 8328286
    Abstract: A self-leveling arm assembly is for use with an article of furniture that includes a back rest portion having an arm support. The back rest portion is connected to a seat portion at a first pivot, wherein the backrest portion is pivotable relative to the seat portion between a forward position and a backward position. The assembly includes an arm and at least one linkage member having a first and a second end. The first end is adapted to be pivotably connected to the seat portion, and the second end carries a cross pin for slidable engagement in a path formed in the aim support. The arm includes a pin at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Veada Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas V. Steury, George Tetzloff
  • Patent number: 7967386
    Abstract: An armrest assembly for an automobile seat, in which an armrest protrudes from a foldable seatback such that a passenger rests his/her arm on the armrest when the seatback is folded, and comes into contact with the seatback when the seatback is folded out in order to take a seat. The armrest assembly includes an armrest, which is installed on a seatback of the seat via links so as to protrude from the seatback, an external force transmitting device, which is coupled with at least one of the links, and transmits external force to the coupled link such that the armrest protrudes from the seatback, and a pressing unit, which installed on one side of the seatback such that the external force is applied to the external force transmitting device when the seatback is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seon Chae Na
  • Patent number: 7862123
    Abstract: A universal reclining armrest system for use with an articulated examination chair. The system includes an armrest adapter having a universal aperture for receiving a post portion of an armrest assembly. The armrest adapter further includes a splined peg for coupling to a pivoting mechanism of an articulated chair. The pivoting mechanism enables the chair to move throughout an operable range of motion while maintaining a fixed rotational position of an attached armrest adapter. The armrest assembly further includes an adjustable joint to provide 360° of rotational adjustment to the armrest relative to the fixed position of the armrest adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medical Technologies Industries
    Inventors: Jeff Baker, Mike Bradfield, Brad Baker
  • Patent number: 7585019
    Abstract: A seat reclining mechanism for a power wheelchair implements an actuator and a plurality of linkages mechanistically connected to the seat portion, back portion, arm rests and footrests of the wheelchair to recline the back portion and shift the seat in harmony with the center-of-gravity position of the wheelchair it is attached to synchronously. So that a user can be free from the risk of falling during operation of the seat reclining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Cycling & Health Tech Industry R & D Center
    Inventors: Alfred Huang, Shun-Yuan Chu
  • Patent number: 7422288
    Abstract: A chair arm rest system containing a chair having a vertical chair member hingedly connected to a horizontal chair member. A base proximal to the vertical chair member is attached to the horizontal chair member. The arm rest post is spring-biased towards the horizontal chair member but pivots in opposition of the spring towards the vertical chair member. A distal end of the arm rest post is pivotally attached to the top end of the base. An arm rest surface is attached to a proximal end of the arm rest post. A first end of a sling is attached to the vertical chair member. A second end of the sling is connected to the arm rest surface. In operation, by moving the vertical chair member relative to the horizontal chair member, the sling self-adjusts and the spring-biased arm rest post pivots towards the vertical chair member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: David J. Ahearn
  • Patent number: 7419216
    Abstract: The seat back unit has a seat back frame which can be tilted around the tilting axis (11) of the support (21). Movable on the seat back frame (13) is the seat back (25). A linear motor (33) serves to incline the seat back frame (13) together with the seat back (25). With a linear motor (33) the distance between the support (21) and the connecting section (17) of the back frame (13) can be reduced or increased, respectively. A tape (43) extends from a stationary part (45) of the linear motor (33) via the connecting section (17) to the seat back carrier (44). Accordingly, if the seat back frame (13) is tilted towards the rear, the seat back (25) is moved downward together with the arm rests (29) attached to the seat back carrier (44). A stabilizing mechanism (51) keeps the arm rest (29) in a practically horizontal position. Accordingly, on reclining the arms of the user remain always in a practically horizontal position and are finally lowered to a position practically parallel to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Degonda Rehab SA
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Publication number: 20080001460
    Abstract: This invention involves in a kind of campstool, whose armrest position is adjustable, and such campstools can be used for leisure life in camping, at a courtyard, a garden and so like. The bottom part of the chair back joints the seat with a joining piece; there is a movable connection between the rear end of the armrest and the chair back; the front foot connects the chair back with bolts; there is a stop piece on the bolt located at the middle back of the chair seat; the another end of the stop piece can fit with a positioning pin. It has such features that the upper end of the said front and rear feet is connected with the fastener for adjustable armrest positioning, and the fastener fits with the armrest. The campstool is characterized by compact structure, easy installation, and small volume, convenient for packing and transport, and has a long service life, being an ideal campstool for outdoor life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: ZHEJIANG XINYUE FURNITURE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yanhui Zhang
  • Patent number: 7182404
    Abstract: A seat which can be converted into a couchette with a deformable armrest, comprising a squab structure (1) and a backrest structure (2) mounted so as to pivot with respect to the squab structure (1) between a raised position and an elongated position, and a deformable structure (3) comprising an upright (4) and a support member (5), the upright (4) being pivotally connected at one of its ends to the front part (1a) of the squab structure (1) and at its other end to the front part (5b) of the support member (5) so that the deformable structure (3) forms an armrest when the backrest structure (2) is in the raised position and so that the upright (4) and the support member (5) come into the line with each other at the level of the squab structure (1) and backrest structure (2) when the latter is in the elongated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle et Commerciale de Materiel Aeronautique
    Inventor: Ligonniere Laurent
  • Patent number: 7125080
    Abstract: A retractable armrest is disclosed for a foldable chair. The chair has a seat and a backrest with the backrest being pivotably mounted to the seat by a chair pivot for movement between an operating position and a folded position. A link pivotably operates between armrest and the seat for enabling the armrest to be rotated into the retracted position when the backrest is in the operating position. The link rotates the armrest from the extended position to the retracted position upon the backrest being moved from the operating position to the folded position. The foldable chair is suitable for use on a personal mobility vehicle such as a scooter, a power wheel chair, a foldable personal mobility vehicle or any other suitable chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Electric Mobility Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Jarema, III, Edward J. Dwyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6948776
    Abstract: An armrest retained a first pin that extends from a back member that is rotatable with respect to a base for a seat. A first lever located within the armrest defines a cantilevered beam with teeth thereon that mesh with teeth on a plate secured to the first pin. A second lever located on a second pin within the armrest positions a ball held in an opening therein in tangential engagement with the armrest and in contact engagement with the first lever. The second lever responds to an input force by pivoting on the second pin and apply a force through the ball to laterally move the teeth out of meshing engagement and permit the armrest to pivot on the first pin into a desired alignment with the base. On termination of the input force, the cantilever beam returns the teeth to meshing engagement to sustain the desired alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Michael L. Harmon, David C. Thoman
  • Patent number: 6923505
    Abstract: An ergonomic arm support system maintains a neutral position for the forearm. A mechanical support structure attached to a chair or other mounting structure supports the arms of a sitting or standing person. The system includes moving elements and tensioning elements to provide a dynamic balancing force against the forearms. The support structure is not fixed or locked in a rigid position, but is an active dynamic system that is maintained in equipoise by the continuous operation of the opposing forces. The support structure includes an armrest connected to a flexible linkage or articulated or pivoting assembly, which includes a tensioning element such as a spring. The pivoting assembly moves up and down, with the tensioning element providing the upward force that balances the downward force of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael J Siminovitch, Jeffrey Y Chung, Steven Dellinges, Robin E Lafever
  • Patent number: 6817671
    Abstract: A collapsible chair has a seat (102), rear leg (110), and an armrest (160), and further has a back support element (120) and a pair of lateral cross braces (130, 140). The back support element is pivotally coupled to the rear leg, and the lower end of the back support element is movably guided along one first cross brace by a guiding element (150), while the armrest is coupled to the upper end of the other cross brace. Preferred collapsible chairs include a footrest (180) that moves upward and forward, when the backrest reclines. A locking mechanism (170) provides for reclining of the back support among a continuous set of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Edward Zheng
  • Publication number: 20040066076
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat, especially a vehicle seat, and preferably an air passenger seat, comprising a seat element and a seat element carrier (12), a backrest (10) which can be adjusted in terms of the incline thereof, and at least one armrest (14), said armrest being pivotably joined to the backrest (10). The armrest (14) is continuously moved with the increasing or decreasing incline of the backrest (10) by means of an adjustment mechanism (20), said adjustment mechanism (20) for the armrest (14) comprising at least four articulation points (22, 24, 26, 28). A parallelogram articulation of the armrest is thus achieved by which means said armrest can lower itself. The aim of the invention is to be able to practically bring the backrest into a horizontal position in which the so-called parallelogram geometrically follows a fictitious line in an average incline position of the backrest, the four articulation points of the parallelogram lying on one line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Jurgen Bauer, Mauro Rossi
  • Patent number: 6715836
    Abstract: An armrest of a chaise longue includes a seat, a backrest and two armrests. The backrest has its left and right side respectively provided with a shaft base. A shaft has one end inserted through the shaft base and received in an armrest shaft and the other end formed with an extending portion connected with a connecting rod. Thus, the armrest shaft enables the armrest to turn for a proper angle or maintain a horizontal position whenever the backrest is moved forward and backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventors: Yuan-Min Chen, Deng-Hae Liaw
  • Patent number: 6520587
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an elbow rest device for use in the field of dentistry. The elbow rest device is connectable to an object. The device has a pad for supporting a user's elbow, an elongated member having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being coupled to the pad. The device further has a pivot mechanism for allowing the elongated member to be movable in a plane defined by a cone-like motion. The pivot mechanism is coupled to the lower portion of the elongated member. Finally, the device has a connecting assembly for connecting the elongated member to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Akio, R, D&D
    Inventor: Lyne Noiseux
  • Patent number: 6361114
    Abstract: A chair having a self-leveling armrest is disclosed, comprising a seat bottom and a seat back which rotates between a full up position and a full back position. The arm is moveable between an up position and a down position, and is positioned generally parallel with the seat bottom when in the down position. A first link member is pivotably connected to the seat bottom and to a second link member, and the second link member is pivotably connected to the seat back. The arm is pivotable with the seat back, and in the down position the arm moves with the second link member so that the arm remains generally parallel with respect to the seat bottom as the seat back pivots. A pin extends from the arm and is generally parallel with the armrest member. The pin is received by a pin-receiving groove in the second link member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Rumler
  • Patent number: 6238002
    Abstract: A seat back assembly for a vehicle including a seat back, a pivot device having a pivot axis, and an armrest. The seat back is connected to the pivot device for rotational movement relative to the seat cushion between an upright position and a folded position. The armrest is connected to the pivot device for rotational movement relative to the seat back between a deployed position and retracted position. Both the seat back and the armrest pivot about a common pivot axis. The seat back assembly (1) impedes the rotational movement of the armrest beyond the retracted position; (2) holds the armrest in the retracted position when the seat back is in the fold position; and (3) urges the arm rest from the deployed position to the retracted position during rotational movement of the seat back from the upright position to the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William S. Brewer, Mark A. Pattok, Gregory Steinke, Glenn Scott
  • Patent number: 6212713
    Abstract: An examination table including a base member supporting a seat section and including a back section pivotally supported on the seat section. The back section includes an elongated pivot frame connected to the seat section at a pivot connection, and a sliding frame supported for longitudinal sliding movement along the pivot frame. A coupling member is supported on the pivot frame for rotational movement and includes telescoping members engaged with the sliding frame wherein the coupling member is rotated by a linkage during pivotal movement of the back section to cause the sliding frame to move longitudinally of the pivot frame to accommodate movement of a patient's back relative to the pivot frame as the pivot frame is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Paul P. Kolada, Sean W. Svendsen