Framework Patents (Class 297/452.18)
  • Patent number: 9676311
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a composite frame with continuous-fiber reinforced (CFR) material along laterally spaced side members and cross members. The CFR material may be in a continuous piece along all four frame members to provide structural rigidity that is superior to that of separate pieces of CFR material. The pieces of CFR material may define a foundation portion of the seat frame and may be at least partly embedded in a thermoplastic accessory mounting portion, which is also part of the frame. An overmolding process can be used to at least partially encapsulate the CFR material in the accessory mounting portion with thermoplastic material along opposite sides of the CFR material. The overmolding process can also be used to embed recliner support plates in the composite frame. The frame may have an S-shaped cross section, facilitating simplified mold design and providing beam-like rigidity along multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Leo Murolo, Yang Cao, Brice Lassalle, Ravikant Deore, John Perraut
  • Patent number: 9669744
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom (16) and a seat back (18) extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back (18) includes a backrest and a backrest cover (28) coupled to the backrest, said backrest including a backrest frame (26) made from composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Yang Cao, John M. Perraut, Ravikant K. Deore, Adrian Negrut, Kevin L. Wright, Lola Lafferty, Harsh Bhagat, Todd Sieting, Benjamin Louis, Olivier Boinais
  • Patent number: 9623770
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat which is capable of easily mounting a reclining mechanism mounted to a seat back frame and a resin molding part of a seat cushion frame and realizes an improved workability. A reclining mechanism arranged on the lower end side of a seat back frame and the rear end side of a seat cushion frame are coupled with a coupling member, a metal member is integrally formed on the rear end side of the seat cushion frame, an upper part of the coupling member is mounted to the reclining mechanism, and a lower part of the coupling member is welded and connected to the metal member provided on the rear end side of the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Furuta
  • Patent number: 9610871
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seatback frame of a resin-formed seatback, including a plate-shaped back face panel portion; a headrest; a seatback pad; a lattice-shaped spring member formed from wire arranged in a lattice shape, attached to the seatback frame at a front side of the back face panel portion, and that resiliently supports the seatback pad from a rear side, with a space formed between the back face panel portion and the lattice-shaped spring member; and a load transmission section provided at one of the lattice-shaped spring member or the back face panel portion and disposed inside the space so as to project out toward the side of the other one of the lattice-shaped spring member or the back face panel portion, such that a gap is formed between the load transmission section and the other one of the lattice-shaped spring member or the back face panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenzo Yasuda, Hiroshi Kushiku
  • Patent number: 9522448
    Abstract: A predetermined component such as a recliner is attached to a long member in advance, and thereafter by bending the long member, a pair of side frames and an upper frame are integrally formed. Therefore, the recliner can be attached to the long member not bent yet and thus in a substantially flat state, and in addition, the pair of side frames and the upper frame can be integrally formed, which does not require labor and contributes to a reduction in manufacturing cost. Moreover, by adjusting a position where the bending is performed, it is possible to manufacture seat frame structures different in dimension even if the long members not bent yet have the same length, and from this viewpoint as well, it is possible to reduce labor and manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Fujita, Etsunori Fujita, Seiji Kawasaki, Yumi Ogura, Katsuhiro Inoue, Toshiya Kushiyama, Eiji Sugimoto, Minoru Nakamura, Ryuji Kuwano, Masahiro Kuromoto, Katsutoshi Aratani, Koji Wakita
  • Patent number: 9511698
    Abstract: A vehicle seat back has first and second support members each having a central web and a rear wall extending therefrom. A seat base is operably connected with the first and second support members. A recliner heart operably connects the seat base with the first and second support members. A shear center of the first and second support members extends along an inside corner connection of the central web and the rear wall of the first and second support members and into the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologist, LLC
    Inventors: Majid Arefi, Shawn Anthony Dixon, Michael Medoro, Johnathan Andrew Line, Khaled Ayyash, James Creighton, Vanja Cemalovic, Daniel Ferretti, Robert Moore
  • Patent number: 9499080
    Abstract: A vehicle seat back member includes a central web and a front wall that extends from the central web. A rear wall extends along a substantial portion of a rear edge of the central web. A shear center load path of the vehicle seat back member is disposed proximate an inside corner defined by the connection of the central web and the rear wall, and extends substantially along the longitudinal extent of the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Shawn Anthony Dixon, Robert Moore, Khaled Ayyash, Majid Arefi, James Creighton, Vanja Cemalovic, Daniel Ferretti, Michael Medoro
  • Patent number: 9487118
    Abstract: A backrest frame structure made of a resin and having a gate-shaped profile includes side frames extending in parallel to each other on both sides thereof and a transverse frame extending between top portion of the side frames integrally connected to the transverse frame, wherein a belt-shaped FRP sheet in which reinforcing fibers are unidirectionally-oriented is set as extending continuously or intermittently at least on the transverse frame between the side frames, and a matrix resin of the set FRP sheet and a resin constituting the transverse frame are integrally joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsumoto, Koji Yamaguchi, Yoshito Kuroda
  • Patent number: 9481278
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a frame structure for a vehicle seat having two frames, a pile portion, and a section modulus reducing configuration. The two frames extend in a specific direction. At the pile portion, the two frames abut each other in a direction perpendicular to the specific direction and connected to each other. The section modulus reducing configuration is formed at an edge portion in the specific direction of the pile portion, and is configured to achieve a reduction in section modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsutaka Mitsuhashi
  • Patent number: 9440571
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes a pair of side frames and a lower frame. The lower frame is formed to have a U-shaped section, an upper part of which is open, a center part position of a front side area of the U shape is recessed backward relative to both side positions in a view in a width direction of the seat. Cutouts are formed in end surfaces of the lower frame in areas connected with the pair of side frames, and the cutouts are made from the end surfaces to an inner side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidekazu Kitou
  • Patent number: 9434285
    Abstract: A frame structure to be provided in a seat back having a seatbelt retractor and a seatbelt guide at a top of a seat, wherein the frame structure is an integral structure including an oblique frame obliquely extending upwardly to a seatbelt guide installation section from a first support point located at an end side of a lower part of the seat back in a seat width direction, a vertical frame extending upwardly from a second support point located at another end side of the lower part of the seat back in the seat width direction and connects to the oblique frame at a top, and a transverse frame extending between a lower end of the oblique frame and a lower end of the vertical frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsumoto, Yoshito Kuroda, Koji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9428087
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom frame 2 as a frame of a seat bottom allowing an occupant to sit thereon, and a seat back frame 1 supported by the seat bottom frame 2. The seat back frame 1 includes right and left side frames SF laterally spaced apart from each other, and a lower connecting member 30 disposed and extending between lower portions of the right and left side frames SF and configured to connect the right and left side frames SF, and the lower connecting member 30 includes a rear wall portion connected to and supported by the side frames SF, and a front wall portion 31 disposed frontward of the rear wall portion and extending downward from an upper end of the rear wall portion, and a front surface 31A of the front wall portion 31 has an upper portion and a lower portion which is located frontward of the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takamasa Adachi, Satoshi Fujita, Kenichi Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 9428084
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching an actuator is easily bonded to a side frame while avoiding interference with a shaft for driving a reclining mechanism. In a seat side frame which is provided at each of both ends of a seat back frame in the width direction, a reclining mechanism, and an actuator, the reclining mechanism is attached to a side wall of the side frame, and the actuator is fixed to an attachment bracket bonded to an inner surface of a portion to which the reclining mechanism is attached in the side wall in the width direction. An upper portion which is disposed above the attachment portion of the reclining mechanism and a lower portion which is disposed below the attachment portion thereof are connected to each other at the rear ends thereof and are separated from each other at the front ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 9421896
    Abstract: A seat frame for a vehicle seat has side frames disposed on both ends of a seat back frame in the width direction, and a bottom member frame for connecting the bottom ends of the side frames which attach to a seat cushion, wherein: each side frame has a side wall which is positioned on the outside in the width direction and which extends in the vertical direction, and a back wall which extends from the side wall towards the inner side in the width direction; and the lower member frame has a first extension portion extending along the width direction, and second extension portions extending from both ends of the first extension portion in the width direction towards the front. The second extension portions are positioned further inward than the side walls in the width direction and overlap with the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Fujita, Hiroyuki Itoi
  • Patent number: 9376043
    Abstract: A cushion pan for a vehicle seating assembly includes a body portion having at least one pocket including a module retention aperture disposed therein. First and second suspension assembly retainers are disposed in the body portion. A peripheral flange extends substantially orthogonal to the planar extent of the body portion and includes a plurality of trim tabs. A plurality of support ribs extend through a midportion of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Medoro, Majid Arefi, Khaled Ayyash, Johnathan Andrew Line, Michael Kolich, James Patrick Creighton, Robert J. Sack
  • Patent number: 9327631
    Abstract: A seat cushion frame for a vehicle includes a composite material containing reinforcing fibers which extend in at least the frame extension direction is integrated with an injection molded thermoplastic resin. The weight of the entire seat cushion frame can be greatly reduced, the rigidity and strength required for each section of the frame can be readily secured, required functions such as submarine prevention or the like, can be fulfilled, the number of components can be greatly reduced, and the overall structure can be greatly simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Yamaguchi, Masaru Tateyama, Nobuhiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9315135
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; a seatback; and a headrest. The seatback includes an upper frame and side frames. The side frame includes a side face portion, a first flange portion formed by bending a front side of the side face portion toward a seat inward side, and a second flange portion formed by bending a rear side of the side face portion toward the seat inward side. The upper frame is placed between the first flange portion and the second flange portion so as to be fixed to the flange portions, and the upper frame is connected to the side face portion, so that a relative movement between the upper frame and the side face portion is regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kitou, Yushi Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 9139120
    Abstract: Longitudinal frame bodies that are disposed on both sides are coupled to each other by lateral frame bodies at the front side and the rear side to form a seat cushion framework, and a panel is fixed to both of the longitudinal frame bodies to cover, from above, a space between front ends of the longitudinal frame bodies that includes the front-side lateral frame body. A panel side of the front-side lateral frame body includes a concave portion to increase a distance from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 9132760
    Abstract: A frame structure for a backrest made of a resin and having a gate-shaped profile includes side frames extending parallel to each other on both sides thereof and a transverse frame extending like a sheet between top portions of the side frames integrally connected to the transverse frame, wherein the transverse frame connects to backrest back-side portions of the side frames at the top portions and connects to backrest front-side portions of the side frames at bottom portions, the transverse frame being formed into a sheet-like shape smoothly extending obliquely with respect to the side frames in a longitudinal cross section, and provided with reinforcing fibers extending continuously or intermittently at least between both side frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsumoto, Koji Yamaguchi, Yoshito Kuroda
  • Patent number: 9108546
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat having a high absorbing efficiency of impact energy upon rear end collision. The vehicle seat includes a pair of side frames that are arranged on the side, and lower frames and that connect lower portions of the pair of side frames to each other, in which a narrow portion including: a horizontal portion formed inside the pair of side frames along a longitudinal direction with a flexibility against a load equal to or more than a predetermined impact load, and an inclined portion extending from the horizontal portion via a bent portion inside the pair of side frames is formed on the lower frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Seki, Takaya Kurisu, Kenichi Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 9108553
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension assembly includes a rear support for engagement with a torsion tube of a vehicle seat. First and second spring members have end portions engaged with the rear support. Intermediate cushion pan connectors are disposed on each of the first and second spring members. A cross support is coupled with the first and second spring members and includes power and data wiring apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Medoro, Majid Arefi, Khaled Ayyash, Johnathan Andrew Line, Michael Kolich, James Patrick Creighton, Robert J. Sack, Laura Olivia Ortega Maynez
  • Patent number: 9108554
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has a structural element that includes a plurality of components, at least some of which are connected to one another. At least one of the components is available in a plurality of materials, such as steel or a lightweight construction. The shape of the components, however, is configured so that it remains unchanged irrespective of the component material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bernd Gross, Andreas Dannheisig, Philipp Ehrenstein, Marian Stepankowsky
  • Patent number: 9051053
    Abstract: A seat base for use in aircraft has a first cross member, a second cross member, a first leg, a second leg, and a base plate having a first bendable tab and a second bendable tab facing away from the first tab. The first cross member, the second cross member, and the base plate are each configured to be secured to the first and second legs in an extended position and a retracted position. The first and second legs are configured to be secured to seat feet and floor tracking rails. The first and second cross members are secured to the base plate so as to allow for selective rotation of the first and second cross members in response to relative vertical movement of the first leg with respect to the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Ward, Daniel James Hoverson, Prasannakumar Bhonge, Thang Chien Phi
  • Publication number: 20150145303
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports that define a seatback frame. A front trim piece is coupled between the first and second side supports. A suspension component is coupled with a central area of the front trim piece and has flexible members protruding forward and outward therefrom. A passenger support panel has a periphery coupled to distal ends of the flexible members and suspended away from the seatback frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, Kevin VanNieulande, Marc Silva Kondrad, John W. Jaranson, Kendrick Alden Harper, Grant A. Compton
  • Publication number: 20150145306
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back that may include a cross member that is mounted to a side frame member. The cross member may have a support post opening, a collar, and a spacer band. The spacer band may be disposed in the support post opening between the collar and the headrest support post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Matthias Zimmermann, Karsten Mueller, Timo Schroeder, Inko Eberhardt, Vaibhav Tonge
  • Publication number: 20150145313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid seat frame for a vehicle and provides a hybrid seat frame for a vehicle including a main frame formed of glass fiber and a reinforced frame formed of carbon fiber to secure stiffness in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and torsional stiffness and to reduce its weight, thereby improving fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Kyo Min LEE, Jong Wook LEE, Choul Won SO
  • Patent number: 9039094
    Abstract: A seat back frame includes: a first side member and a second side member each formed into an elongated shape along an up-and-down direction of a seat back so as to support each side portion of the seat back; and a belt guide portion on which tension of a seat belt is applied when the seat belt is pulled, the belt guide portion being formed in an upper portion of the first side member and guiding the seat belt having the one end retained by a seat belt retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto
  • Patent number: 9039093
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle seat having a frame member and a reinforcing member for reinforcing the frame member. The frame member has an elongated portion. The elongated portion is formed of resin and preferably has a flat-plate-like or bar-like configuration. The elongated portion includes a first portion, a front second portion and a rear second portion. The first portion may be arranged in a longitudinal manner with respect to the vehicle seat and extends vertically. The front second portion extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle seat from a front end of the first portion. The rear second portion extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle seat from a rear end of the first portion. The elongated portion is configured so that a neutral axis is positioned between the front and rear second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishiura, Tatsuya Karaki
  • Publication number: 20150137576
    Abstract: A seating product is provided which comprises a metal frame, straps of webbing joined to the metal frame with wire hooks. Each of the wire hooks has a main portion inside a loop created in the strap of webbing and two L-shaped portions extending through openings in the metal frame. Each of the L-shaped portions reduces movement of the wire hooks inside the metal frame reducing noise and wear. The metal frame is made of two pieces joined together, one of the pieces being straight and the other being generally U-shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Larry I. Bullard
  • Publication number: 20150130254
    Abstract: A seat cushion frame for a vehicle, wherein the weight of the entire frame can be reduced as a result of changing the raw material to a resin; and to give a desired submarine prevention function to the front section of the frame, to greatly reduce the number of components of the frame, and to greatly simplify the entire structure, a C-shaped frame having a C-shaped planar shape opening to the rear side thereof includes a thermoplastic resin, and has a structure wherein the upper surface side of the front section of the C-shaped frame is formed into a surface intermittently extending in the seat width direction and the lower surface side thereof is formed into a surface continuously extending in the seat width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Yamaguchi, Masaru Tateyama, Nobuhiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9027225
    Abstract: A one-piece back frame including an upper portion, a lower portion and a pair of vertical portions. The upper portion includes a first flange bent downwardly and a second flange bent upwardly to enclose the upper portion. The first and second flanges are brazed or welded to one another, which has the effect of strengthening the upper portion of the back frame and increasing its resistance to forces and moments during front or rear impact. Additionally, a pair of tubes extend through and are connected to upper portion. The tubes are designed for receiving a head restraint, but also serve the additional purpose of further strengthening the upper portion to increase its resistance to forces and moments during front or rear impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ornela Zekavica, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich, Atsushi Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20150123442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a seat member having a seat face and two lateral members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Jorg Linnenbrink, Ingo Kienke, Gerhard Rothstein
  • Publication number: 20150118426
    Abstract: An in-situ molded foam core structural plastic article having an outer shell with an interior cavity filled with expandable polymer beads which when expanded substantially fill the interior cavity forming a thermal bond with the shell. The bead and shell are of a similar plastic composition enabling the articles to be reground and recycled. Various articles are disclosed including structural panels, and automotive seat, load floor, interior panel, bumper and running board components. An apparatus for forming the articles and an associated method of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Richard W. ROBERTS
  • Patent number: 9016795
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that may assure stiffness of a seatback and that may realize a reduction in weight. In the present rear seat for a vehicle, a substantially X-shaped X-rib (24) is joined to a panel frame (22) of a rear seatback. A first reinforcement portion (24A) of the X-rib (24) spans in a linear shape between an anchor wire (68), which is a point of action of a load, and a first supported portion (22A) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at a vehicle body via a turning hinge (48). A second reinforcement portion (24B), which has a length direction middle portion in common with the first reinforcement portion (24A), spans in a linear shape between a second supported portion (22B) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at the vehicle body via a turning hinge (56), and a third supported portion (22C) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at the vehicle body via a lock mechanism (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Nakagaki, Tomio Matsufuji, Nozomu Munemura, Atsuo Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150108819
    Abstract: A seat cushion frame for a vehicle includes a composite material containing reinforcing fibers which extend in at least the frame extension direction is integrated with an injection molded thermoplastic resin. The weight of the entire seat cushion frame can be greatly reduced, the rigidity and strength required for each section of the frame can be readily secured, required functions such as submarine prevention or the like, can be fulfilled, the number of components can be greatly reduced, and the overall structure can be greatly simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Yamaguchi, Masaru Tateyama, Nobuhiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9010855
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle seat including: a seatback frame that includes a pair of an outer side frame portion and an inner side frame portion and a lower frame portion; a tilting shaft that supports the seatback frame at a position below the lower frame portion; and a first load transfer block that transfers an impact load input from a side portion of the vehicle body to the seatback frame, wherein the vehicle seat further includes a plate-shaped rigid member of which an upper end is connected to the lower frame portion and an inner end in the vehicle width direction is connected to the inner side frame portion in the vehicle width direction, and wherein a lower edge of the plate-shaped rigid member extends to at least a height position of the tilting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jogen Yamaki, Hisato Oku, Yozo Furuta, Hiroyuki Kaku
  • Patent number: 9010865
    Abstract: A restraint system for a removable vehicle seat is attached to the vehicle seat. A restraint tower associated with the restraint system transfers energy generated during vehicle impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Valasin, Radesh Vangipuram, Richard Squires, Philip Skinner, Joseph Talamonti
  • Publication number: 20150102650
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a plurality of horizontal members, a plurality of vertical members, and a plurality of corner members, which define a seat frame. The plurality of corner members are configured to snap-fit into the plurality of horizontal and vertical members. A seatback is disposed behind the seat frame. A low-pressure compression mold is disposed over the seat frame and defines at least one open section. A subassembly is disposed over the compression mold, defining a center seat and including at least one cushion attachment support disposed adjacent to the at least one open section. A seat cushion insert is operably coupled to the at least one cushion attachment support and is disposed over the at least one open section and defining a side seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian J. Hosbach, Adam Sachs, Johnathan Andrew Line, Kevin VanNieulande
  • Publication number: 20150097404
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat having a seat cushion frame and a rear side link including a metallic sector gear, a first revolving arm of the rear side link is assembled to the one-end-side frame made of CFRP in the seat cushion frame. Furthermore, in order to assemble the first revolving arm to the one-end-side frame, a first shaft pin made of metal is inserted into both a link assembling hole of the one-end-side frame and a pin hole of the sector gear in a state in which the holes and communicate with each other, and the first shaft pin is fixed by welding to the sector gear in a state in which a flange portion is locked to the one-end-side frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Masaya Furuta
  • Patent number: 8998316
    Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a blow molded seat back assembly that is fabricated to include a seat back comprising a double walled design having a foreword (14) and a rearward (16) wall wherein there is at least one or more sections comprising a single wall (213). Further, the blow molded seat back may include an integrated reinforcement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Styron Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Padraig J. Naughton, Ashishkumar S. Lokhande, Gulub N. Malunjkar
  • Publication number: 20150091360
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes a seatback frame disposed in a seatback and supporting an end of a wire member for supporting an occupant in a manner such that the wire member is movable. The seatback frame includes a supporting plane part that the end of the wire member is disposed therein, the supporting plane part being provided along a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the wire member. A support portion that supports the wire member in a manner such that the wire member is movable is formed in the supporting plane part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato ARASHI
  • Publication number: 20150091361
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes: a seat frame; a seat pad that covers the seat frame; and a seat cover that covers the seat pad and that is fixed to the seat frame. The seat pad has a U-shaped portion formed by a supporting portion, a side surface portion that is continuous with the supporting portion, and a tension adjusting portion that is continuous with the side surface portion, the tension adjusting portion having a protruding portion as a portion of the tension adjusting portion that protrudes toward the seat cover. The protruding portion abuts against the seat cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideo SAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20150091338
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes: a seat frame; and an attachment device attached to the seat frame. The seat frame includes two members rotating relative to each other around their respective shafts parallel to each other, and respective connecting structures configured to connect the attachment device to one of the two members and to the other of the two members in such a manner that the attachment device is rotated in conjunction with the relative rotation between the two members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20150091359
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes a pair of side frames and a lower frame. The lower frame is formed to have a U-shaped section, an upper part of which is open, a center part position of a front side area of the U shape is recessed backward relative to both side positions in a view in a width direction of the seat. Cutouts are formed in end surfaces of the lower frame in areas connected with the pair of side frames, and the cutouts are made from the end surfaces to an inner side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidekazu KITOU
  • Patent number: 8985696
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a fastened member and a fastening member. The fastened member comprising a fastened member-side base section formed from metal, and a fastened member-side reinforcement section formed from fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), laminated in a sheet thickness direction over the whole of the fastened member-side base section so as to reinforce the fastened member-side base section. The fastening member comprising a fastening member-side base section formed from metal, and a fastening member-side reinforcement section formed from FRP, laminated in a sheet thickness direction over the whole of the fastening member-side base section so as to reinforce the fastening member-side base section. The fastening member is fastened to the fastened member by bringing the fastening member-side base section into contact with the fastened member-side base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Yasuda, Ryosuke Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8985695
    Abstract: A backrest is provided, whereby a frame-shaped base structure of which is made of a dimensionally stable plastic, The base structure being formed from beams. The frame-shaped base structure includes at least one functional element between the beams, and the at least one functional element is made only of a plastic and/or as a plastic-coated insert. Injection molding is proposed as a production method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sitech Sitztechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Baumgarten
  • Publication number: 20150076885
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seatback operatively coupled to the seat bottom. The seatback includes a substantially rigid polymeric substrate and an outer layer covering the polymeric substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bruce L. Stone, Robert W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150076888
    Abstract: A swinging chair having a base seating portion composed of bungee cords and a suspension system that permits the base seating portion to hang or otherwise be suspended so it dually functions as a swing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ting XU, Amanda LACY
  • Publication number: 20150076880
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a modular vehicle seat frame is disclosed. The seat frame includes a first side module and a second side module which is arranged located opposite. A front, rear upper and middle cross brace are seat width-adaptably arranged between the side modules. Between the front and the rear cross brace a spring structure is stretched out, which spring-elastically supports a seat cushion of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Kuhley, Juergen Maier, Eduard Wolf, Michael Hoefgen-Allmann
  • Patent number: 8979206
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a seat back frame of a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat has a seat back main body configured to support the back of an occupant and an extension portion extending from a side of the seat back main body. The seat back frame has a main body frame, an extension frame, and a connection member. The main body frame may form a framework of the seat back main body and may be mounted on a base. The extension frame may form a framework of the extension portion. The connection member connects the extension frame to a side of the main body frame. The connection member has a rear support portion and a front support portion. The rear support portion contacts the main body frame and the extension frame from the rear so that the rear support portion integrally couples the main body frame and the extension frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Matsuzaki