Modular Components Patents (Class 297/440.14)
  • Patent number: 11849851
    Abstract: A furnishing having a horizontally oriented base component, a base depth extension, and a vertically oriented side component is disclosed. The base depth extension having a front surface coupled to the horizontally oriented base component and a back surface that is substantially parallel to the front surface. The vertically oriented side component is coupled to the back surface of the base depth extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Grafiti Home, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy Susanto
  • Patent number: 11825950
    Abstract: Sofa frame and assembled sofa, comprising back boards, side boards connected to back boards, and face board connected to side boards; said side boards are relatively configured on the two sides of the back board; the two sides of the face board are respectively connected to the side boards on both sides; said face board comprises at least two folding blocks and hinges connected to the folding blocks. In the above-mentioned sofa frame, as hinges are used to connect adjacent folding blocks, the face board becomes a folding structure. Thus, during transportation, the folded face board occupies less space to reduce transportation cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Chang You Wang
  • Patent number: 11772799
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide a seatback for a vehicle seat, in particular an aircraft seat, comprising a seatback structure that includes a rear side having a partially circumferential outer edge and a recess which is partially surrounded by the outer edge. The recess is configured to retain a panel at least partially arranged within the recess and at least partially covered by the outer edge. The panel is detachable retained to and/or in the recess and is configured as an interchangeable and customized part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Adient Aerospace, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Rodolph Eaton
  • Patent number: 11759016
    Abstract: A removable cushion for a chair having an outer surface and an inner foam, as well as at least one magnetic member. The inner foam and the outer surface are formed from the same polymer, with the outer surface forming an integral skin over the inner foam. The outer surface defines an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is structurally configured to be positioned in an abutting relationship with a seating surface of a chair. The at least one magnetic member is embedded within one of the outer surface and the inner foam, the at least one magnetic member positioned closer to the lower surface than the upper surface of the outer surface. A chair having the cushion, and a mold is likewise disclosed, as is a method of manufacturing the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Vanco Products LLC
    Inventors: John Vanden Bos, Richard Claypool
  • Patent number: 11647841
    Abstract: Modular seat assembly having a female connector that is positioned and configured to releasably connect to a corresponding male stud connector on an adjacent seat module. Each female connector includes a plate comprising a raised portion defining an upper opening leading to a downwardly angled channel extending at about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees from a vertical axis into a horizontal portion, such that each male stud connector is slidably and releasably connectable to each corresponding female connector, and such that the channel and the horizontal portion have a width that is narrower than a head of the male stud connector, but wider than a neck of the male stud connector; and wherein said male stud connector is configured to be guided downward by said channel and then loosely contained within said horizontal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Cozey Inc.
    Inventors: Frédéric Aubé, Zhijie Gu
  • Patent number: 11628752
    Abstract: A seating posture is stabilized for the shoulders of a passenger seated on a vehicle seat. A vehicle seat is provided with a seat back configured to support the seated person from the rear. A shoulder support portion of the seat back configured to support a corresponding one of the shoulders of the seated passenger includes an air cell configured to expand when air is supplied. When the air cell expands, one end portion of the shoulder support portion on the outside in the width direction of the vehicle seat moves more forward than the other end portion of the shoulder support portion on the inside in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kensuke Mizoi, Ryuzaburo Abe, Kenichi Niitsuma, Soichiro Tanaka, Chihiro Muto, Takeshi Ito, Ai Furuta
  • Patent number: 11317724
    Abstract: Electrified lounge furniture formed from joined furniture sections. Each furniture section includes a lounge back, a seat and a base. The seat is designed to be selectively pivotable away from the base. When the furniture sections are joined to each other, an electrical wiring assembly extends between the furniture sections to provide electrical power to each of the furniture sections. Each of the furniture sections includes at least one electrical outlet. The electrical wiring assembly is received on the base of each of the furniture sections and is concealed beneath the seat during normal usage. When the user desires access to the electrical wiring assembly, one or more of the seats can pivot away from the base to provide access to the electrical wiring assembly. After the electrical wiring assembly has been accessed, the seat can pivot back into contact with the base where it is securely held to both the base and the lounge back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventors: Xeng Xue Vang, Scott J. Williams, Dennis Gordon Griepentrog, Scott Anthony Bosman
  • Patent number: 10743676
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a device for cushioning the joint between two pieces of modular sectional furniture. The device has a top plate connected by a resilient member to a base support plate so that the base support plate can support the movable top plate so that when a user sits down on a piece of furniture made of individual joining sectional members the user will not feel discomfort from the space between the two pieces of furniture. The device is installed over adjacent frame members of the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Benjamin Andrew Galjour
  • Patent number: 10555619
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for an assembled furniture. The assembled furniture includes a cover having a plurality of inner compartments and a plurality of dividers. The assembled furniture also includes a plurality of cushions disposed within respective inner compartments of the cover, where the plurality of cushions are confined in the inner compartments by the plurality of dividers. The plurality of inner compartments may include a back inner compartment, a left arm inner compartment, a right arm inner compartment, and a bottom seat compartment. The left arm inner compartment may be adjacent to an end of the back inner compartment. The right arm inner compartment may be adjacent to an opposite end of the back inner compartment. The bottom seat compartment may be disposed below at least the back, left arm, and right arm inner compartments. The assembled furniture is easily compressible and highly transportable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Yuntek International Inc.
    Inventor: David Chou
  • Patent number: 10391903
    Abstract: A seat frame for a vehicle seat is configured to extend in a specific direction and having a closed cross sectional shape. The seat frame includes: a bent portion having a shape in which a part of a cross section shape of the seat frame is bent inward and outward of the closed cross section; and a shape-changing structure in which a bending shape of the bent portion changes in the specific direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Hiroshi Mizobata
  • Patent number: 10390621
    Abstract: A modular base system is provided that allows easy installation and maintenance in a row of motion seating units. Arms are easily removable from a base assembly. The base assembly also provides structure allowing easy installation and removal of the motion mechanism. The base assembly also allows easy installation and removal of a back panel. The motion mechanism includes a pivotal seat frame attachment allowing the seat to be pivoted upwardly, from the front of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Mark Lawson
  • Patent number: 10383443
    Abstract: A modular base system is provided that allows easy installation and maintenance in a row of motion seating units. Arms are easily removable from a base assembly. The base assembly also provides structure allowing easy installation and removal of the motion mechanism. The base assembly also allows easy installation and removal of a back panel. The motion mechanism includes a pivotal seat frame attachment allowing the seat to be pivoted upwardly, from the front of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Gregory Mark Lawson
  • Patent number: 10239422
    Abstract: A connecting element (3) for adjusting the height of a vehicle seat (1) includes an angular element (3.1) with a first leg (3.1.1) having a seat part side receiving opening (3.1.5) and an opposite rail side end receiving opening (3.1.4), and a second leg (3.1.2) angled relative to the first leg (3.1.1) and a tooth element (3.2). The seat part receiving opening (3.1.5) is situated in a connection area of the first leg (3.1.1) and of the second leg (3.1.2). The tooth element (3.2) has a first section (3.2.1) configured as a circular arc with toothing (V2) that is connected at an end side to the second leg (3.1.2) and a second section (3.2.2) that is angled from the first section (3.2.1) in the direction of the receiving opening (3.1.5) on the side of the seat part and is connected to the first leg (3.1.1) at the end side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l.
    Inventor: Hans-Rudi Schulz
  • Patent number: 9936808
    Abstract: An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a base frame assembly configured to support an attached seating unit. Other modules or components may also be attached to the base frame assembly. The article of furniture may also comprise a supplemental frame assembly attached to the base frame assembly to extend the size of the article of furniture and to support an additional or larger module or component. The other modules or components may comprise one or more of a casegood unit, a backrest, an armrest, a privacy panel, a console, an outlet (for power and/or data), etc. Electronic devices may be incorporated. A set of articles of furniture is also disclosed; the articles of furniture have a modular construction and can be assembled on the base frame assembly by combinations of modules and components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Iacovoni, Alan Rheault, Mark Kapka, Karl Mead
  • Patent number: 9738195
    Abstract: This invention is an Automotive Center Console Armrest Storage Box Lid Protector that is an alternative for replacing the factory installed center console/storage box armrest lid when damaged or to be used to for driving comfort as creates a barrier between the factory installed lid and the under forearm of the driver or passengers forearm. It is designed to be installed over the factory installed lid and is held in place with an elastic band or drawstring sewed on the underside of the fitted fabric piece to keep the fabric protector from slipping. It can be made with or without an added sleeve pocket sewed to the top side as in the sketches. Drivers and passengers that rest their forearm on the center console while driving can have added comfort with this protective cover and also can be used as an alternative to replacing the factory installed hard cover after being damaged from use stains and UV rays. It is installed by opening the lid inserting the protective cover by hand over the factory installed lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: David John Willis
  • Patent number: 9480338
    Abstract: A furniture system having a base frame, side pieces and a back portion, that assembles quickly and disassembles into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Billy Joe Griggs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9028003
    Abstract: A stylish ready-to-assemble chaise lounge and sofa which may be easily and quickly assembled by a consumer, is provided. The invention is a kit from which either a stylish chaise lounge or a sofa may be easily assembled by a consumer using a single Allen wrench. The kits, both chaise and sofa, comprise a seat base, a long side seatback and a short side seatback, feet, fasteners and cushions. With regard to the chaise, the long and short side chaise seatbacks have rectangular lower portions with upper portions featuring a flowing curved “waterfall” seating surface which improves the comfort of a user leaning back against the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: COA, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Yeh
  • Patent number: 8955909
    Abstract: A vehicle has a seat on which a passenger sits, wherein the seat is bench-shaped and has a sitting portion, a backrest portion, and a supporting portion which supports the sitting portion and the backrest portion, wherein at least one of the sitting portion and the backrest portion is detachable from the supporting portion, wherein when the sitting portion is detachable, the sitting portion has a plurality of sitting regions which are arranged side by side in the right-left direction and have different thicknesses in the up-down direction, and wherein when the backrest portion is detachable, the backrest portion has a plurality of backrest regions which are arranged side by side in the right-left direction and have different thicknesses in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hisada, Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140368010
    Abstract: A modular furniture assembly includes: a base member having a frame assembly, a transverse member having a frame assembly, a foot configured to contact a support surface, and a mounting platform having a plurality of apertures therethrough. The mounting platform is configured to be mounted on the base member frame assembly and the transverse member frame assembly, thereby connecting the frame assemblies. The foot is selectively mounted on the mounting platform, such that the foot is configured to contact the support surface when the modular furniture assembly is in an upright configuration. The mounting platform connects the base and transverse member frame assemblies together and also acts as a platform for receiving a variety of different types of feet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Shawn D. Nelson, David Underwood, Spencer Pearson
  • Publication number: 20140252747
    Abstract: Wheelchair designs and enhancements are provided for use with conventional wheelchair design. The designs and enhancements include bariatric extension panels and security features making it suitable for use in high security areas such as prisons and psychiatric wards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jane Hermes
  • Patent number: 8783778
    Abstract: A modular furniture assembly includes: a base member having a frame assembly, a transverse member having a frame assembly, a foot configured to contact a support surface, and a mounting platform having a plurality of apertures therethrough. The mounting platform is configured to be mounted on the base member frame assembly and the transverse member frame assembly, thereby connecting the frame assemblies. The foot is selectively mounted on the mounting platform, such that the foot is configured to contact the support surface when the modular furniture assembly is in an upright configuration. The mounting platform connects the base and transverse member frame assemblies together and also acts as a platform for receiving a variety of different types of feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: SAC Acquistion LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Nelson, David Underwood, Spencer Pearson
  • Patent number: 8764114
    Abstract: A sectional sofa and method of assembly provides ease and convenience in the manufacture and use. The sectional sofa includes a central section having a seat and a pair of backs positioned approximately ninety degrees to each other forming a V-shaped opening therebetween. Affixed on each side of the central section is a side section which includes a back frame that can be easily inserted or removed into a seat frame as needed. End sections having a back frame, seat frame and an arm frame are affixed to each side section. Each back includes a pair of stakes which are slideably engaged within rectangular apertures in the seat frame for ease in manufacturing and stability in use. Additional standard bolts connect each section together for safety and convenience. The central section V-shaped opening allows for simplicity during construction and adds to the aesthetic qualities of the sofa design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Simplicity Sofas, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Frank, Glenn Laughlin
  • Patent number: 8752900
    Abstract: Modular furniture is provided. More specifically, upholstered furniture, including chairs, sofas, loveseats, and beds that are operably configured for removing and/or replacing one or more component of the furniture, such as arm rests, support legs, backs and sides are provided. In particular, an upholstered chair comprising: a base having a seat fixedly connected with a backrest; and a plurality of glass block sides removeably connected with the base is provided. The modular furniture systems can be used by consumers to replace selected components of the furniture with updated components for a new look.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Leonard Clyde Carter, III
  • Patent number: 8714652
    Abstract: A frame of rectangular configuration, constructed of structural components and usable in connection with modular furniture. Front and back frame components are interconnected by a pair of side components, and a locking bar member extends between the side components and is movable therealong while remaining essentially parallel to the back component. The locking bar member has a straight edge in alignment with and parallel to a straight edge of the back component, such that when the locking bar member is brought into a relatively close relation to the back component, the straight edges of the back component and the locking bar member can hold therebetween a backrest equipped with cleats in a secure, fixed position, without the need for screws, bolts, pins or other joinder elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Ice Magic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Whidden, Lawrence W. Bechtold
  • Patent number: 8684466
    Abstract: A knock-down, modular furniture frame including a plurality of panels having interlocking sides and at least one tensioning device having a band that girds the plurality of panels to secure the plurality of panels together under tension into an interlocking relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Blair
  • Patent number: 8678504
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a molded plastic shell and an embedded frame. The seat assembly can include a seat bottom and a seat back which are connected by a curved backstop. The curve of the backstop is dictated by the embedded frame. The seat assembly can be part of a modular chair system, in which the seat assembly can be attached to a chair base, without or without optional arms. The seat assembly can be transferred between a low density stacking chair base and a high density stacking chair base without modification of the seat assembly. The arms can be attached to the chair base without modification of the chair base. A method for attaching a seat assembly to a chair base is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: IDA Design LLC
    Inventors: Mitch Bakker, Walt Gurdak
  • Patent number: 8668542
    Abstract: A multiple use, light weight, cost-effective, indoor and all-weather outdoor construction toy for stimulating children's imaginations and encouraging physical activity comprises a basic modular unit with open ended cup-like coupling-means on its perimeter for male to female coupling and decoupling to other couple-able units, is described. The coupling-means may be molded as an integral part forming one seamless basic unit. The open bottom end of the coupling means provides for coupling, the open top end prevents the buildup of snow inside the coupling unit. Coupling can be achieved via coupling-means on basic units to each other or through the use of accessory independent coupler-units. The basic unit of the modular toy may be in the form of a saucer, disc, an oval, or in a rectilinear-shape for use as a sled, skiing device, a flotation device, or as fort building modules. Additional accessory parts include skis and inner-tubes, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Joshua D Bruzgul
  • Patent number: 8668271
    Abstract: A new seating system with one or more substantially horizontal or inclined seats or supporting surfaces, and/or one or more substantially vertical or inclined backs, includes eight prismatic modular elements or modules with opposite parallel base faces in the shape of right-angled isosceles triangles, each module being joined to at least one adjacent module at the level of one corner, wherein each module is configured to rotate around said connection corner relative to the module to which it is joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: Luca Genesin, Lorenza Maria Baggio, Lavinia Genesin, Leonardo Genesin, Ludovica Genesin
  • Patent number: 8646843
    Abstract: A connector assembly is used to connect subassemblies such as parts of a knockdown or modular sofa or similar item of furniture. The furniture item can be an upholstered item in which the multiple components are stackable into a volume that is smaller than the assembled item of furniture for shipping. The connector assembly includes a keyhole slot on a frame member in one component and a male connector assembly on a frame member in the other assembly. The male connector includes a sleeve with a cylindrical shank and an adjacent enlarged or conical portion, and the sleeve, which may be plastic, is mounted the bolt. The narrow section of the keyhole slot has a beveled surface and as the sleeve progresses into the narrow section, engagement of the conical sleeve section with the beveled slot surface tightens the two members being attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jon Russell Koch
  • Patent number: 8602500
    Abstract: A chair, including a flat seat bottom, having a surface area for accommodating a user; a base member having at least one protrusion, the protrusion being designed for traversing a perforation on the seat bottom, thereby joining the base member to the bottom of the seat bottom, and the base member being designed for supporting the weight of the seat bottom and the user; and a back support member, designed for being joined to the section of the protrusion located above the seat bottom, and for being leaned upon by the user. The base member is made of a single sheet, and is designed for being set into a predefined weight bearing configuration suitable for supporting the weight of the user. The base member is designed for being unfolded into a single layer sheet or folded into a multi layer sheet, following a disassembling of the chair. The chair is repeatedly assemblable and disassemblable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce Arthur Warren
  • Patent number: 8590976
    Abstract: A knock down furniture system is presented. The furniture uses joints which bend or twist a panel when inserted into an adjoining panel to place the joint under stress and stiffen the joint. Preferably, tabs are used in combination with offset or rotated slots to achieve the same. The system allows for furniture which does not require fasteners or tools and which is easily assembled while still being stable. Parts of the furniture can be interchanged within a piece of furniture or between different pieces of furniture to customize the configuration of the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Clark Davis
  • Patent number: 8590968
    Abstract: A nursing chair may be sold as a kit comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a front panel between said first and second side panel, a front fabric cover, a back fabric cover, a first side armrest, a second side armrest, a seat between the first and second side panel, a back rest between the first and second side panels and a rocker assembly for supporting said chair and imparting a rocking motion to the chair. Suitable fastening means are included in the kit. The chair may be sold assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Kate Zahir
  • Patent number: 8528971
    Abstract: A seating spacer configured to fit between two seating units in a seating system bench-type seating. In one embodiment, at least one seating spacer is placed between two seating units arranged in a side-by-side manner to form a row of seating in a seating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hussey Seating Company
    Inventors: Ron G. Bilodeau, Carl J. Sukeforth, Kerry Briggs, Erik Cloutier
  • Patent number: 8528972
    Abstract: A furniture unit for building a furniture assembly together with another furniture unit comprises a first magnetic coupling member for interaction with a second magnetic coupling member of said another furniture unit. The first magnetic coupling member is movable between an inner position, in which it is retained by a retaining means, and an outer coupling position, to which it is movable from said inner position against a force from said retaining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lammhults Mobel AB
    Inventor: Per-Evert Johnsson
  • Patent number: 8500204
    Abstract: A ready to assemble article of furniture includes a connecting assembly to enable shipment of the article in a partially assembled condition. By the use of the connecting assembly, the user can quickly assemble the article of furniture. The connecting assembly includes brackets which are attached to the disassembled components of the article of furniture. The brackets are mateable with each other during the assembly process to secure the components together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Casual Living Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: James Foster Kemp
  • Patent number: 8480179
    Abstract: A furniture system having a base frame, side pieces and a back portion, that assembles quickly and disassembles into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Billy Joe Griggs, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130099541
    Abstract: A chair structure has assembly portions provided on its seat for assembling with upper ends of chair legs. Button holes and a latch block are respectively provided on each chair leg and the seat for correspondingly snap fit together. Additionally, mortise holes and tenons are also provided respectively on the seat and the chair legs so that they can joint firmly together after the assembly of the seat and the chair legs. Thus, in addition to the engagement between the latch blocks and corresponding button holes, the joint strength between the seat and the chair legs can be further enhanced by the complementary fixing achieved by the joint action between the tenons and mortise holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: YU-PU HUNG
  • Patent number: 8408653
    Abstract: A furniture system having a base frame, side pieces and a back portion, that assembles quickly and disassembles into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Billy Joe Griggs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8393685
    Abstract: An interlocking precast slab assembly such as a bench or memorial marker is provided. Each assembly includes a precast seat member having upper and lower surfaces and an elongated groove formed in the upper surface of the seat member. Each assembly also includes a precast back member having an engraved front surface and an elongated lower edge portion which fits into the elongated groove to form a joint which interlocks the members together to form the assembly with the engraved front surface supported above the upper surface of the seat member for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Dennis Michael Hill
  • Patent number: 8376462
    Abstract: An aircraft seat includes a seat bottom frame, a seat translation and rotation mechanism attached to the seat bottom frame allowing translation and rotational movement of the seat bottom frame. An armrest is removably attached to the side of the seat bottom frame, and can be set to different positions relative to the seat bottom. The armrest has a seat control mounted to an outside of the armrest, and an input transfer mechanism disposed inside the armrest. The input transfer mechanism has an end engaged to the seat control, and a receiver end. The input transfer mechanism is cable-less. A couple shaft is engaged with the receiver end and engaged with the seat translation and rotation mechanism. When the seat control is actuated, the input transfer mechanism causes the seat translation and rotation mechanism to allow the seat bottom frame to at least one of translate and rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: PAC Seating Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hector Noel Marini, Barry Oberly
  • Patent number: 8366200
    Abstract: A furniture assembly for compact and efficient packaging, the assembly including a sofa having component parts defining a sofa confine, the component parts including a back, a seat, a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs, and a skirt, wherein the skirt and the seat are removable, at least one chair having component parts defining a chair confine, the component parts including a back, a seat, a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs, and a skirt, wherein the seat is removable, a coffee table, an end table, an ottoman, and a plurality of cushions and pillows, wherein the furniture assembly is arranged such that the at least one chair, the coffee table, the end table, the ottoman, and the plurality of cushions and pillows are located within the confines of the sofa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Casual Living Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8322793
    Abstract: This invention concerns a sofa which solves the problems of the prior art by providing a sofa that can easily be assembled or disassembled by the end consumer at home. The disassembled sofa can be stored in 3 flat boxes. Storage in the flat boxes not only helps the warehouse to store the sofa, but when the end user has purchased the sofa it is easier in such flat boxes to transport it to the location where it will be assembled. The way this invention accomplishes these results is as follows: The parts of the sofa can be broken down into three boxes. Chaise sections can be assembled by placing the seat back flat on the ground and placing the seat frame/arm upright on top of the seat back. A metal threaded rod is used to connect the seat frame and the seat back. A metal nut is used to secure the seat frame to the back using a wrench that comes provided in the package of the kit. The legs are then twisted onto the bottom of the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Lionel T. Chen
  • Patent number: 8251441
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chair comprising a seat, a base, a pair of parallel spaced apart uprights extending from the base positioned to opposed sides of the spine of a user seated on the chair, the uprights supporting the seat and a body support member extending from each upright in opposed directions, said body support members being substantially parallel to the back of said user. Each body support members may integrally formed with an upright with have an arcuate portion therebetween. The chair may further comprise first and second pairs of body support members and be rotatable between first and second orientations in which either the first or second body support members may form the seat or back support for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Barbara Elisabeth Alink
  • Publication number: 20120137441
    Abstract: This invention relates to a postural system which can advantageously be used by both properly walking persons and non-ambulant and partially ambulant persons, and in the latter case is suitable for use with or incorporation with medical support devices for mobility, medical devices for rehabilitation and social or domestic life and the like: this system may also be advantageously used with or incorporated with transport means. The postural system according to the invention provides a supporting structure comprising a flat base plate (10) and a plurality of modular blocks (20a-20f, 30a-30d, 40a-40f, 50a-50e, 80a-80b) intended to support various segments of the user's body (legs, pelvis, spine and so on). The number, shape, size and orientation of the said modular blocks can be suitably selected to obtain a perfect fit for the user's shape (whether male or female) and encourage perfect housing of the body and a correct weight distribution over the entire surface of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: PRO MEDICARE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Rosaria Eugenia Caforio
  • Publication number: 20120104824
    Abstract: A modular furniture assembly includes at least two modules positioned one next to each other. The modules interconnect to each other by using a quick acting fastener and wherein groups of the same module types can stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Edward Skahan
  • Patent number: 8128173
    Abstract: A chair includes a backrest frame, an armrest frame detachably mounted on the backrest frame and a seat frame detachably mounted between the backrest frame and the armrest frame. Thus, the seat frame and the backrest frame are combined together easily and quickly so that a user can assemble and disassemble the chair by himself without needing aid of any hand tool, thereby facilitating the user assembling and disassembling the chair. In addition, the armrest frame, the seat frame and the backrest frame are detached from and laminated with each other before assembly so as to reduce the whole volume of the chair and to decrease the cost of packaging, storage and transportation of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Su-Nu Huang
  • Patent number: 8113587
    Abstract: A portable lift chair has a lightweight frame with a pair of cross members extending from opposing sides thereof from front to back in a substantially X-shaped configuration, with the cross members pivotally secured to one another and to the front portion of the frame by a pivoting linkage, a seat base, a pivotable bracket connecting the front portion of the seat base to the frame, a weight adjustable pressurized cylinder providing an upward bias to the rear portion of the seat base, a removable back rest, and a guide track with an actuator for moving the weight adjustment bracket from one anchor point to another as desired to achieve a predetermined pressure for the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Majid Zarinfar, Henry de la Rosa
  • Patent number: 8109575
    Abstract: Contoured loveseat with an internal support frame forming an elongate rectilinear shape having a pair of matching long rigid parallel side panels, a pair of matching short rigid parallel side panels and a contoured top panel. The short side panels and the contoured top panels are covered by a uniformly thick cushion material. The short side panels join the top panel in a radiused fashion. A plurality of supplemental support cushions can be slidably retained within cutout portions in the side panels. The cutout portions are shaped to match the profile of the supplemental cushions. A preferred embodiment includes one side of the contoured top panel being sized for a male body and the opposite side of the contoured top panel being sized for a female body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony Vitale
  • Patent number: 8096620
    Abstract: A modular seat frame for a school bus seat includes riser assemblies for supporting the seat fabricated from a moldable material reinforced locally by attachment and reinforcement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Erik C. Wilson, Yogesh D Aundhkar, Atul P Khanapurkar, Narasimha D Gupta
  • Publication number: 20110309666
    Abstract: A new seating system with one or more substantially horizontal or inclined seats or supporting surfaces, and/or one or more substantially vertical or inclined backs, includes eight prismatic modular elements or modules with opposite parallel base faces in the shape of right-angled isosceles triangles, each module being joined to at least one adjacent module at the level of one corner, wherein each module is configured to rotate around said connection corner relative to the module to which it is joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Luca Genesin, Lorenza Maria Baggio, Lavinia Genesin, Leonardo Genesin, Ludovica Genesin