Having Fluent Material Patents (Class 297/452.41)
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Patent number: 8820843Abstract: A vehicle seat supporting body has padding which has a honeycomb body of elastic material and is covered with upholstery permeable to air and defining a user supporting surface; the cells of the honeycomb body extend along axes crosswise to the supporting surface, are open at the ends, and, in use, vary in volume in response to oscillating movement of the user; on the opposite side to the supporting surface, at least one opening connects the cells to the outside, and is opened/closed automatically by valves in response to compression and decompression of the air in the cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per AzioniInventors: Nevio Di Giusto, Andrea Zussino, Giorgio Masoero, Salvatore Demontis
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Publication number: 20140232155Abstract: A seat adjusting device comprises a plurality of inflatable chambers and a valve module. The plurality of inflatable chambers includes a first inflatable chamber and a second inflatable chamber. The valve module comprises a control valve which is a 4/4-way valve having four ports and four positions. A first port of the control valve is in communication with the first inflatable chamber and a second port of the control valve is in communication with the second inflatable chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventor: Berthold Bocsanyi
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Patent number: 8801104Abstract: A seat portion of a vehicle seat has a padding, which is covered with permeable upholstery defining a user supporting surface and has a plurality of chambers extending crosswise to the supporting surface; the chambers are open at their ends and, in use, vary in volume in response to oscillating movement of the user; the chambers are grouped in at least four groups, which are located, respectively, in front right, front left, rear right, and rear left position; the chambers of each group are isolated in fluidtight manner by the chambers of the other groups and communicate with a respective opening, which connects the lower end of the chambers to the outside; the opening of each group is associated with a respective valve, which operates independently from the valves of the other groups and is opened/closed automatically in response to compression and decompression of the air in the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per AzioniInventors: Nevio Di Giusto, Andrea Zussino, Giorgio Masoero, Salvatore Demontis
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Publication number: 20140217802Abstract: There is provided an adjustable air chamber which is located beneath the prostate area that is housed within the cushion of the seat contour which may be vertically deflated and reinflated 1½ inches by utilizing an electronic two-position switch located alongside the automobile and truck seat. The rider may select the desired position to allow for maximum rider comfort. The electronic pump would be actuated by a motor controlled by the electronic two-position switch and force air into the air chamber. A pressure valve between the pump and air chamber would be used to bleed off excessive air to prevent over inflation. Accordingly, the prostate automobile and truck seat would eliminate contact on the prostate thereby reducing the risk of deleterious effects on the rider's prostate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventor: Eugene Daniel Lucas
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Patent number: 8794707Abstract: An adjusting device for a seat comprises at least one fluid chamber and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. Each fluid chamber is configured to be installed in the seat to adjust at least a portion of the seat upon inflation or deflation. The at least one fluid chamber comprises a first fluid chamber. The valve assembly comprises a check valve and a 3/2-way valve. A first port of the 3/2-way valve is in fluid communication with the check valve, and a second port of the 3/2-way valve is in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: L&P Swiss Holding AGInventors: Berthold Bocsanyi, Erich Dörfler
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Publication number: 20140210249Abstract: A chair comprising a seat assembly and a support assembly is disclosed. The seat assembly has a deflectable body disposed about an axis that provides resilient convex seating surface. The support assembly retains the seat assembly and allows the seat assembly to rotate about its axis and additionally allows the seat assembly to rotate to cause limited tilt displacement of the axis from a neutral alignment. The support assembly includes biasing means that serve to urge the seat assembly towards the neutral alignment when the seat assembly is displaced from the neutral alignment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Inventor: Stephen Barnett
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Patent number: 8783781Abstract: An inflatable reclining chair which provides therapeutic support while in a seated or lying position is capable of being inflated by an air compressor and a valve assembly. The recliner may be placed upon a floor or ground surface and includes conventional chair features such as armrests, a back rest, and a head rest to allow the user to relax in comfort while in a reclined state. The device further includes an inflatable footrest and an internal recline air bladder which allows a user to select a desired back rest angle. In this manner, the user may select a variety of resting configurations. Finally, the recliner may be deflated completely and stored in a carrying case along with the air compressor, for convenient transportation.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Inventors: Pamela McClure, Tanya K. McClure
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Patent number: 8733833Abstract: The invention relates to an inflatable seat for use as a child safety seat when fitted to a vehicle seat. The seat can be moved between a compact storage condition and an inflacted in use condition. The seat includes a plurality of inflatable cells (16), the inflation of which and control of air between the same are controlled by air control means so as to prevent rapid loss or gain of air to or from a portion of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Inventors: Simon Dickinson, Amber Lee Dickinson
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Patent number: 8733844Abstract: A lightweight seat suitable for applications such as those in which the seat and occupant must withstand extreme amounts of applied force during use, e.g., encountering high waves in boats of seven meters (23 feet) or greater at speeds of at least 20 knots (37 km/h (or 10.3 m/s)).Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Inventor: Stanley W. Widmer
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Patent number: 8721005Abstract: A collapsible chair includes a frame having two sidepieces, each having a base portion and a back portion. The base has an upward facing concave edge complementary to a portion of a spherical profile of a seating ball, the base portion further includes a frontal aspect. Each sidepiece has one or more hinges to connect the two sidepieces. The sidepieces, when hinged together, are moveable between a collapsed arrangement and an open arrangement. The chair further includes a cross member having an upward facing concave edge complementary to a portion of the spherical profile of the seating ball. The cross member is configured to mate with the frontal aspects of the two sidepieces so as to stabilize the two sidepieces in the open position. The upward facing concave edges of the sidepieces and the cross member form a triangular cradle that supports the seating ball.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.Inventor: Maria G. Mankin
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Publication number: 20140097661Abstract: An aircraft seat comprising a seat element which comprises a seat cushion having a flexible material and forming the seat surface, characterized in that in the area of the left or right half of the seat cushion (2) or in the area of both halves of the seat cushion, one independent of the other, the seat height can be varied by introducing a medium into the seat element and/or by draining a medium from the seat element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventor: Roland LOHER
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Patent number: 8678499Abstract: A booster cushion for use in a vehicle, comprising a base (2) consisting of at least one inflatable member, upon which the child may sit, and a harness (6) adapted to fit over at least a front portion of the base to retain the base, said harness being provided with seat belt receiving members (14, 16) on either side of the harness (6) to be positioned, in use, on either side of the base (2) for receiving a lap belt portion of a vehicle seat belt to retain the base (2) upon the vehicle seat and such that the lap belt portion extends over the pelvic region of a child.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Emagination LimitedInventor: Grainne Kelly
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Patent number: 8678500Abstract: A seat according to the invention, in particular a vehicle seat (25), comprises a seat frame (29), a seat surface (31) and at least one deformation element acting between the seat frame (29) and the seat surface (31), at least the one deformation element being capable of automatic activation in order to compensate actively for vibrations transmitted via the seat frame (29) to a person sitting on the seat. The invention also relates to a method for activating a deformation element of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat (25), which acts between a seat frame (29) and a seat surface (31) of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeroen Lem, Karl Michael Siebertz
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Publication number: 20140070593Abstract: An inflatable seat system includes one or more seats having a seat base; an inner layer on the seat base; and an outer layer extending over the inner layer. At least one of the inner layer and the outer layer define a plurality of vertically layered inflatable bladders that are individually adjustably inflatable to adjust one or more of height, width, and firmness in the seat system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: VECTRIX INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Peter Stephen Hughes, Paul Anthony Gaudette
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Patent number: 8646562Abstract: A seat for a vehicle in which, when the vehicle has a side collision, pressing against a side support portion of a seat cushion by a vehicle body side portion and deformation of the side support portion to the upper side may be suppressed, and in which excellent seating comfort of the seat cushion may be maintained. At a rear seat, when a door trim (32) of a rear side door (30) collides with a side support portion (16A) due to an impact load F of a side collision, a dilatant member (46) provided at the side support portion (16A) hardens instantly. As a result, deformation of the side support portion (16A) is suppressed, and deformation of the side support portion (16A) to the upper side may be suppressed. Therefore, a waist area chamber (28B) of a rear side airbag (28) may be caused to deploy between the waist area of a seat occupant (14) and the door trim (32) as intended.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Takehisa Shamoto
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Publication number: 20140021768Abstract: An inflatable sofa including a first inflatable sheath, a second inflatable sheath, a hose, an injection valve, a leaking valve and a pump is provided. The first inflatable sheath has a first pressure, and the second inflatable sheath disposed in the first inflatable sheath has a second pressure, in which the second pressure is less than the first pressure. The hose is connected between the pump and the second inflatable sheath, and the injection valve is disposed on the second inflatable sheath and located in the first inflatable sheath. The leaking valve is disposed on the first inflatable sheath and used to leak gas within the first inflatable sheath to outside of the inflatable sofa.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: APEX BILLION INT'L INV. LTD.Inventor: Yuan-Chen Chen
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Publication number: 20140001796Abstract: An inflatable child seat for use in an airplane having a base panel having at least one inflatable air chamber is provided. The inflatable child seat also includes two side panels, each of which have at least one inflatable air chamber. Both side panels are connected to the base panel. A back panel is further provided, having at least one inflatable air chamber, and is connected to the two side panels and the base panel. The back panel is disposed at an angle relative to the base panel. The inflatable child seat also has a belt configured to restrain a child in the seat. The inflatable child seat additionally has a cavity disposed in the back panel and is configured for receiving a seat belt from an airplane or car seat for securing the child seat to the airplane or car seat. The inflatable child seat is provided with at least one port that is in communication with one or more of the air chambers and serves as the means for inflating and deflating these chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Inventor: Andrew E. Curto
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Patent number: 8616654Abstract: A method and a device for adjusting a seat are provided. The method includes the acts of detecting a pressure exerted by a user on the seat via a pneumatic sensor and/or a hydraulic sensor, and adjusting the seat based on the pressure exerted by the user. The device includes a pneumatic or hydraulic lifting element, a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure sensor connected to the lifting element, and a control unit connected to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor detects a pressure exerted by a user on the seat, and the control unit controls the first lifting element to adjust the seat based on the pressure exerted by the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Raphael Zenk, Matthias Franz, Alexander Durt, Rudolf Lein
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Publication number: 20130334846Abstract: A seating device is provided. The seating device includes a seat, a post positioned below and attached to the seat, a base positioned below and attached to the post, an inflatable bladder positioned below and attached to the base, and a guard positioned below and attached to the base. The inflatable bladder comprises a portion of a sphere, the portion comprising less than 35 per cent of the sphere. The inflatable bladder covers over 35 per cent of an underside of the base, and the guard comprises a solid circular piece extending downward from the base with a bottom edge located above a bottom of the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is fully inflated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: SITIGHT, INC.Inventors: Scott Bahneman, Tim Pratt, Filip Trojanek
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Patent number: 8579372Abstract: The present invention relates to a child seat for rearward facing use in a vehicle. The child seat includes an inflatable seating cushion chamber; an inflatable back part chamber; and inflatable side part chambers. The chambers are interconnected such that they form a continuous inflatable volume that require only a single port for inflation and deflation. The chambers are constructed out of a non-permeable fabric that maintains a constant separation between at least two non-permeable fabric surfaces when inflated.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Bjoern Wessman, Kolita Mendis, Robert Johnston
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Patent number: 8528983Abstract: An inflatable child seat for use in an airplane having a base panel having at least one inflatable air chamber is provided. The inflatable child seat also includes two side panels, each of which have at least one inflatable air chamber. Both side panels are connected to the base panel. A back panel is further provided, having at least one inflatable air chamber, and is connected to the two side panels and the base panel. The back panel is disposed at an angle relative to the base panel. The inflatable child seat also has a belt configured to restrain a child in the seat. The inflatable child seat additionally has a cavity disposed in the back panel and is configured for receiving a seat belt from an airplane or car seat for securing the child seat to the airplane or car seat. The inflatable child seat is provided with at least one port that is in communication with one or more of the air chambers and serves as the means for inflating and deflating these chambers.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Inventor: Andrew E. Curto
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Patent number: 8474862Abstract: A motor vehicle seat arrangement for a motor vehicle. The seat arrangement comprising a vehicle seat, at least one inflatable element, means for inflating the inflatable element which inflate the inflatable element depending on a control signal. The vehicle seat arrangement is arranged in the vehicle and the inflatable element is designed and arranged in or on a side wall of a backrest of the vehicle seat in a way that it exerts a momentum on the upper part of the body of the vehicle occupant while it is inflated in answer to the control signal, so that the whole vehicle occupant is moved away from a collision section of the vehicle that collides or is going to collide with the object or that the thorax region of the upper part of the body of the vehicle occupant performs a tilting movement away from the collision section of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Takata AGInventors: Oliver Pursche, Hans-Peter Sendelbach, Martin Breuninger, Hiroshi Nozu, Werner Geiselhart, Edwin Miller, Thomas Sievers
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Publication number: 20130134764Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle comfort seat utilized in a vehicle that includes a base vehicle, seat installed in the vehicle that includes a lumbar region and a bottom cushion with a side, a top surface and a front and a plurality of air-filled cushions that are disposed on the top surface and the front of the bottom cushion, wherein the air-filled cushions are disposed on the top surface and the front of the bottom cushion without being disposed on the lumbar region of the base vehicle seat. The pneumatic power source is incorporated into the vehicle's system to provide compressed air to inflate and deflate the air-filled cushions and a controlling device is provided that controls a predetermined amount and a predetermined pressure of compressed air to the air-filled cushions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Inventor: Rhonda Groh
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Patent number: 8424967Abstract: A seat includes a bearing structure and a number of cushions. The cushions cover the entire area of the seat surface and the backrest of the seat. Each cushion is formed of a textile spacer structure held in a fluid-tight casing. The casing has a connection for a hose line. Before a user sits on the seat, the hose line is open to the outside air. Due to the force applied by the seat user, the cushion and spacer structure are compressed, whereby simultaneously air is displaced out of the cushion. The cushions thus experience a contouring according to the body shape of the seat user. After the user sits down, the contouring can be fixed by blocking device the hose line, and thus separating the reduced air volume in the inside of the cushion from the outside air. In this way, the contouring of the seat cushions is maintained when the seat user leaves the seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Uemit Kilincsoy, Alexander Durt, Matthias Franz
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Publication number: 20130038112Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle seat back is disclosed. The vibration damper includes an enclosure provided inside the upper end of a vehicle seat back. The enclosure includes a plurality of projections, preferably in the form of spaced apart, vertically extending pins, extending from one or more interior walls of the enclosure. A non-newtonian stress thickening fluid is provided within the enclosure. When the seat back is at rest the stress thickening fluid is free flowing within the enclosure. When the seat back is moved the stress thickening fluid is acted upon by the walls of the enclosure, the internally mounted pins, or both. As the walls and pins push on the fluid it comes under shear stress which causes the fluid to harden. As the pin passes through the hardened fluid they absorb energy and dampen the motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David William Gaines, Peter T. Mueller
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Publication number: 20130020850Abstract: There is provided a moveable power seat slide device assembly comprising a movable seat cushion and seal rail including upper rails secured to the seat cushion and lower rails secured to the body of the golf cart, a motor for driving each movable seat and a current control circuit. The prostate golf cart seat and prostate golf cart air seat protects the prostate area from continuous bouncing. The prostate golf cart air seat deflates to lessen the space between the seat and the prostate to allow for increased rider's comfort. The seat has two 8 inch stationary end cushions. The center would consist of two 8 inch cushions moving along a rail which allows riders to automatically close the 7 inch seat gap to 3 inches from the stationary end cushion. The center air space between each rider and seat would have a depth 1½ inches.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventor: Eugene Daniel Lucas
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Patent number: 8342607Abstract: A seat cushion for the production of a vehicle seat has a foam body and a carrier element. The carrier element is disposed on the back side of the foam body and provides mechanical support to the foam body on the back side thereof. At least one bubble element is disposed between the foam body and the carrier element and can be supplied with compressed air via an air inlet. The carrier element features an air-impermeable barrier layer on the side facing towards the foam body. The bubble element is composed of two bubble halves that are connected to one another by means of an airtight sealing joint, and wherein the bubble half facing away from the foam body is formed by a surface section of the barrier layer of the carrier element, and wherein the second bubble half facing towards the foam body is fastened at the assigned surface section of the barrier layer while forming the airtight sealing joint.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: F.S. Fehrer Automotive GmbHInventors: Manfred Hofmann, Günter Meckelmann
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Publication number: 20120313420Abstract: A film bladder, in particular for a vehicle seat, has an upper and a lower film wall and at least one longitudinal welded seam. The upper and the lower film wall in the collapsed installed state of the film bladder bear against one another and form a flat structure which is defined to the side by longitudinal side edges. The longitudinal welded seam of the film bladder is provided in a film region between the two longitudinal side edges of the film bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: ALFMEIER PRAEZISION AGInventors: WOLFGANG BEYERLEIN, WOLFGANG FÜRNROHR, NORBERT BLOHM
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Publication number: 20120313409Abstract: A seat cushion structure for use in a vehicle seat including a first outer wall and a second outer wall joined to form a plurality of chambers. The seat cushion includes an energy absorption substance disposed within the chambers to absorb occupant load. The seat cushion also includes a plurality of springs disposed within the chambers to further facilitate occupant support and comfort.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: Johnson Controls TechnologyInventor: Eric B. Michalak
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Publication number: 20120299357Abstract: A seating system which has a ball-shaped cushion that is removably positioned on top of a support carriage. When placed on the support carriage, the ball-shaped cushion is held in place, allowing a person to sit on the cushion and thereby use the system for sitting purposes. The seating system is designed to improve the attention span and concentration of children and adults.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventor: Howard Newman
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Publication number: 20120292958Abstract: A motorcycle seat cushion comprising a base with an array of upstanding air cells across the base. In one aspect, the air cells are interconnected such that pressure is spread cross a wider area to reduce pressure points. There are external air flow pathways between the cells that allow air to circulate among the cells to disperse heat and moisture. There is a midline pathway that is positioned under the perineum and coccyx of the rider to provide pressure relief to the perineum, prostate and coccyx of the male rider. In one aspect, the cushion includes a cover having top and side walls of the cover constructed from a two-way stretch material. The cover has air vents that functionally align with at least some of the air flow pathways to promote the flow of ambient air into the air flow pathways.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: ROHO, INC.Inventor: Anthony Eric Sprouse, II
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Publication number: 20120280554Abstract: A cushion is adapted to set on a seat pan included in a vehicle seat. The cushion includes an inflatable air bag in, for example, a lumbar-support device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, INC.Inventors: Gregory Brncick, Dana J. Lowell, Leonardo Gomes
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Publication number: 20120261973Abstract: Described are passenger seat assemblies comprising: at least one seat pan; an inflatable seat adjacent to the at least one seat pan; and at least one inflation system comprising a transport device and a delivery mechanism coupled to the transport device, wherein the transport device is configured to inject an inflating substance into the inflatable seat via the delivery mechanism, wherein the delivery mechanism is coupled to the inflatable seat via an opening. The passenger seat assemblies may further comprise a support structure. The inflating substance may be air. The inflatable seat may comprise at least one structural chamber. The inflatable seat may also have utility apart from the passenger seat assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Jose Guillermo Aguirre Vazquez, Luis Carlos Alvarado Villalobos, Raul Daniel Flores Aguiree
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Patent number: 8262160Abstract: A padded seat is described that includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a compartment disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface, a closeable opening to fill the compartment with a fluid, a plurality of through holes which pass through the top surface, compartment, and bottom surface, and a non-slip element disposed on the top surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventors: Mehri Mafi, Maryam Mafi
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Publication number: 20120187736Abstract: A vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle, is provided that includes, but is not limited to a seat part and a backrest. The backrest includes, but is not limited to an elastic upholstery and a support for the upholstery. The support is a plate, and particularly a plastic plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Matthias STROEHER
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Publication number: 20120133190Abstract: A reclining shampoo chair includes an air inflatable inclined main body comprising a head, a tail, a curved member extending the head to terminate at top of a rear surface of the main body, and at least one air inflation valve; and a horizontal support formed with the tail. The main body further includes a plurality of parallel air bladders of convex surface communicating with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventor: Jui-Lin Pao
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Patent number: 8176588Abstract: An inflatable furniture comprises: a receiving body, a plurality of side-board-connecting members, airbag-connecting members, a pump, a power supply, two airbags, and an audio device. By opening the side boards and inflating the airbags, the airbags can be inflated into beds or sofas, and when after use, the airbags can be deflated and folded into the receiving body. Furthermore, the receiving body can also be temporarily used as a tea table or a stool.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Inventor: Martin Lin
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Publication number: 20120112514Abstract: The chair structure comprises: a chair body ,including a seat cushion and a back cushion; a fixing plate, being firmly disposed in the chair body and having a plurality of fixing holes; a moving plate, being disposed above the fixing plate, the moving plate having a plurality of penetrating holes; a plurality of flexible members, being disposed on the surface of the top end of the moving plate; a plurality of fixing members, each of the fixing members having a fastening end and a connecting end; and a plurality of lifting devices, being disposed at the bottom of the moving plate, by means of the lifting devices driving the moving plate and the fixing members holding the flexible members, the flexible members being then compressed in order to adjust the flexible supporting forces of the chair body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventor: Han-Chung HSU
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Patent number: 8157325Abstract: A chair having a seat and a back rest comprises a fluid-containing cushion in the back rest that provides passive automatically adjustable support for the user's lumbar region. The cushion can comprise one or more fluid-containing chambers encompassing the areas of the user's upper back and lumbar regions. As the user leans backs, fluid is forced from the regions adjacent the upper back down to the lumbar region to provide enhanced lumbar support to the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Marcus C. Koepke, Brian R. Trego, Brian Erickson, Amin K. Habboub
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Patent number: 8147001Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention offers a light weight and comfortable seat cushioning system that also provides energy-absorption and enhanced passenger maneuverability in extreme conditions such as may be experienced in a hard landing situation. The cushioning system includes a crushable, energy-absorbing layer, a main cushioning layer, a smaller ishial insert layer which may be the same as the main cushioning material and a semi-dynamic pneumatic cell which uses a dual action breather valve to vary its inflation with changes in cabin pressure. The seat cushion may be finished with a covering of cloth or upholstery.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Kelly L. Boren, Rush F. Green, Max U. Kismarton
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Patent number: 8147000Abstract: The cushion includes a seat and a back separated from each other by a seat-sacral hinge to define two separate air fillable spaces. Separate fill port tubes are provided for filling and adjusting level of fill within the seat and back of the cushion. Weld lines are provided within the seat to define separate chambers within the seat but which are joined together by a common manifold. Weld lines within the back of the cushion divide the back into a sacral/hip space and a sacral/lumbar/kidney space, as well as various back chambers above the sacral/lumbar/kidney space. The cushion includes webs that support dowel pockets that receive dowels for removable attachment of the cushion to an underlying chair. As an alternative, the cushion can be built into the chair.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Inventor: Terry G. Drake
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Patent number: 8132859Abstract: A pneumatic seat device, in particular a pneumatic seat device for aircraft, includes at least one pneumatic unit and first and second computer units, whereby an advantageous division of tasks and/or functions within the pneumatic seat device among the individual computing units can be achieved. Primarily, it is thereby possible to obtain effective and fast data processing with use of the two computing units and, consequently, fast control and/or regulation of the pneumatic seat device.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Marco Krämer
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Publication number: 20120013165Abstract: A seat portion of a vehicle seat has a padding, which is covered with permeable upholstery defining a user supporting surface and has a plurality of chambers extending crosswise to the supporting surface; the chambers are open at their ends and, in use, vary in volume in response to oscillating movement of the user; the chambers are grouped in at least four groups, which are located, respectively, in front right, front left, rear right, and rear left position; the chambers of each group are isolated in fluidtight manner by the chambers of the other groups and communicate with a respective opening, which connects the lower end of the chambers to the outside; the opening of each group is associated with a respective valve, which operates independently from the valves of the other groups and is opened/closed automatically in response to compression and decompression of the air in the chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Nevio Di Giusto, Andrea Zussino, Giorgio Masoero, Salvatore Demontis
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Publication number: 20120007407Abstract: A cushion air bag includes a waist restraining portion that is arranged at a central portion of a cushion panel, and a gas introducing portion that connects this waist restraining portion to an inflator that is provided at a front portion of a cushion panel. This cushion air bag is inflated such that the waist restraining portion reaches a higher height than the gas introducing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuya Komamura, Hironori Chaya, Hideki Takasawa
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Patent number: 8056976Abstract: A chair apparatus is provided with multiple pivot axis for improving core strength, posture, and circulation of the user. The chair apparatus includes a seat portion that is capable of pivotal movement about multiple pivot axes and along a surface. The chair apparatus further includes a frame coupled to the seat portion, wherein the frame limits the pivotal movement of the seat portion only when the chair apparatus is placed in a supported orientation.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Inventor: Louis F. Polk
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Publication number: 20110272993Abstract: A seat includes a bearing structure and a number of cushions. The cushions cover the entire area of the seat surface and the backrest of the seat. Each cushion is formed of a textile spacer structure held in a fluid-tight casing. The casing has a connection for a hose line. Before a user sits on the seat, the hose line is open to the outside air. Due to the force applied by the seat user, the cushion and spacer structure are compressed, whereby simultaneously air is displaced out of the cushion. The cushions thus experience a contouring according to the body shape of the seat user. After the user sits down, the contouring can be fixed by blocking device the hose line, and thus separating the reduced air volume in the inside of the cushion from the outside air. In this way, the contouring of the seat cushions is maintained when the seat user leaves the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Uemit KILINCSOY, Alexander DURT, Matthias FRANZ
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Patent number: 8033600Abstract: A seat system has separate air bladders in the seat bottom and seat back. The seat bottom bladder is in fluid communication with the seat back bladder through a plurality of rigid interconnecting tubes, and valves in the tubes or orifice size can control flow rate of air exchange between the seat bottom bladder and the seat back bladder. A panel of resilient, compressible open cell foam extends in each of the seat bottom bladder and the seat back bladder. Through-holes in the foam panel permit accelerated air evacuation to the other bladder when the seat withstands a significant shock event. The vibration and shock attenuation characteristics of the seat are jointly provided by the panel spring force and the bladder air pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: ErgoAir, Inc.Inventors: Douglas D. Reynolds, Erik Wolf
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Publication number: 20110227388Abstract: An adjusting device for a seat comprises at least one fluid chamber and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. Each fluid chamber is configured to be installed in the seat to adjust at least a portion of the seat upon inflation or deflation. The at least one fluid chamber comprises a first fluid chamber. The valve assembly comprises a check valve and a 3/2-way valve. A first port of the 3/2-way valve is in fluid communication with the check valve, and a second port of the 3/2-way valve is in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Berthold Bocsanyi, Erich Dörfler
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Patent number: 7996940Abstract: A seat cushion employing the benefit of a foam cushion and alternating pressure air cushion. An air bladder reservoir with vertically extending fingers is located beneath a foam core with vertical holes. The vertically extending fingers are aligned with the vertical holes of the foam core. The air bladder reservoir and vertically extending fingers are inflated and deflated by a compressor system which provides alternating timed pressure. When inflated, the fingers protrude through the holes in the foam core beyond the top surface of the foam core. A method for fabricating the vertically extending fingers includes a cloth material coated in silicon.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Matt Dahm, Daniel Duduka, Mark Olsen, Jeffrey Herron
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Publication number: 20110133539Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorbing apparatus for an aircraft seat, that attenuates shock to passengers and crews. The apparatus includes; an airbag 11 being expanded in a plate shape in a state of less than maximum expansion; an upper flat plate 12 arranged on one side of the airbag 11; a lower flat plate 13 arranged on another side of the airbag 11; a gas supply device 15 for supplying a gas to the airbag 11; and a detector sending a signal to activate the gas supply device 15 by a preset condition. The shock is absorbed by expanding the airbag 11 before the shock is applied to the passenger.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Hirokazu Shoji, Kazuo Katayama, Norio Enomoto, Hiroshi Yutani