Chair Hardware Or Attachment (e.g., Bracket, Operating Lever, Leg Extension, Etc.) Patents (Class 297/463.1)
  • Publication number: 20140368015
    Abstract: A device for guiding a seat belt on a seat having an integrated seat belt. In order to provide a device that can be economically and easily installed, that ensures reliable guidance of the seat belt inside the backrest (1) of a seat having an integrated seat belt in a simple manner, and that prevents pinching of the seat belt (2) during adjustment inside the backrest (1), the seat belt guide has at least one upper seat belt guiding element (6). The guiding element (6) is above a pivot axis (5) of a multi-piece backrest (3, 4) of the seat having an integrated seat belt. At least one lower seat belt guiding element (7) is also provided below the pivot axis (5) of the multipiece backrest (3, 4) of the seat having an integrated seat belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Udo Basters, Peter Paulus, Harald Zumbach
  • Patent number: 8899545
    Abstract: An apparatus for affixing an object to a rail includes, but is not limited to at least one base body, at least one locking body and at least one operating element. The locking body is held so as to be movable relative to the base body and is connected to the operating element by way of at least one bearing. The operating element is arranged so as to be rotatable in the base body, includes, but is not limited to a cam that acts on the base body, and when rotated moves the locking body towards the base body. In this way apparatus is created which makes possible the manual affixing and undoing, without the need for tools, of an object on and from a rail, for example, if needed, in order to reposition displaceable monuments in a cabin of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Blees, Dieter Krause, Ralf Koblitz, Oliver Gehlen, Dirk Humfeldt, Mark Herzog
  • Publication number: 20140346831
    Abstract: The chair adjustment mechanism, attached beneath a chair arm, has a housing and four walls forming an interior closed space. A closing bottom wall has a longitudinal guide slot. A longitudinal continuous serpentine adjustment cam surface. A cam follower on an adjustment plate moves on the cam surface in the interior space. The adjustment plate movably extends through the guide slot in a close fit and substantially closes the guide slot thereat. In one embodiment, each sidewall defines an opposing cam surface and a pair of cam followers extend laterally from an upper region of the adjustment plate. The lower plate extends outward from the slot and is preferably attached to two chair legs. The adjustment plate moves vertically, first out from the depending cam ridges, then the plate and cam follower moves longitudinally, and then moves vertically into a different intersection between adjacent depending cam ridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Jacob Goldszer
  • Publication number: 20140346839
    Abstract: A manual control component (100) for an electrically adjustable piece of furniture comprises a housing (110) and a switch element (120) with an upper part (130) that features a flat, upwardly directed control panel (132) with a first and a second control surface (134, 136), as well as a lower part (140) that features a downwardly directed control lever (142). The lower part is coupled to the upper part in an essentially rigid fashion. The switch element is pivotably supported in the housing (110). The manual control component (100) further comprises a circuit arrangement (150) that is designed for detecting a pivoting motion of the switch element (120) and for generating a signal in order to activate a drive of the piece of furniture (200) in dependence on the detected pivoting motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: LOGICDATA ELECTRONIC & SOFTWARE ENTWICKLUNGS GMBH
    Inventor: Walter KOCH
  • Publication number: 20140333114
    Abstract: A fitting (5) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, includes a first fitting part (7), a second fitting part (8) that can be rotated relative to the first fitting part (7) about an axis (A), a drivable eccentric (11), rotatably supported about the axis (A), and at least one catch (13), which is guided by the first fitting part (7) such as to be movable in a radial direction relative to the axis (A) and which moves radially outward under the action of the eccentric (11) to lock the fitting (5) and interacts radially outwardly with the second fitting part (8). The at least one catch (13) includes a first bar part (13a) and a second bar part (13b), each of which has teeth (13a?, 13b?) for interacting with teeth of the second fitting part (8) designed as a toothed ring (8a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Christoph Peters
  • Publication number: 20140333098
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that is foldable includes a lockout mechanism to prevent movement of a head rest to a folded position if an occupant is present in the vehicle seat. In response to pivoting of a back rest relative to a bottom seat cushion, the head rest normally moves to the folded position, except if the occupant is present. A sensor determines whether the occupant is present, and if the occupant is present, prevents actuation of the head rest. The lockout mechanism can incorporate a lockout pin that is spring biased to fit within a recess of a plunger, such that when the lockout pin is engaged in the recess of the plunger, the head rest is permitted to move to the folded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
    Inventor: Jason DeForest
  • Publication number: 20140333113
    Abstract: To reinforce, with a reinforcing member, a foot bracket which supports a seat on a vehicle body floor, and to suppress increase in a size of the foot bracket due to use of the reinforcing member, left and right end portions of the reinforcing member for reinforcing the foot bracket are fixed to the foot bracket, the foot bracket fixed on the vehicle body floor and supporting a seat supporting part of the seat. An intermediate portion of the reinforcing member, which is a main part thereof, is situated within a projection plane in an up-down direction of the foot bracket. A straight portion of the reinforcing member corresponding to a fixing portion for fixing the foot bracket to the vehicle body floor is disposed on the seat supporting part side of the foot bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: TS TECH CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi IZAWA, Manabu MATSUMOTO, Masanobu TAKASE, Muneatsu MINATO
  • Publication number: 20140327282
    Abstract: A rocker-type seating unit that includes a base for providing vertical support, a seat support, and a backrest support. The seating unit adjusts between an upright position and a reclined position. The seating unit includes a support frame, a seat assembly, and a rocker mechanism. The support frame includes lower crossbeams coupled to the base, and a traverse plate fixedly attached to and extends upward from the lower crossbeams. The seat assembly includes a seat frame for carrying the seat support over the support frame, seat-mounting plates fixedly attached to and extend downward from the seat frame, and an upper crossbeam that spans and couples the seat-mounting plates. The rocker mechanism is connected to the upper crossbeam on one end and connected to the traverse plate on another end. The interconnection of rocker mechanism enables a controlled, fore-and-aft sway of the seat assembly with respect to the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: MICHAEL A. CRUM
  • Publication number: 20140319894
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a hinge mount of a motor vehicle seat has a housing part, a drive unit, a gear unit which is mounted downstream of the drive unit, is driven by the drive unit, has at least one self-locking gear and drives an output shaft, an element which can be adjusted about an axis of the hinge mount, is rotationally connected to the output shaft and can be adjusted in an angle range ?360°, preferably ?90° about the axis of the hinge mount, and at least one stop mechanism which delimits the swivel range of the arm in at least one swivel direction. The stop mechanism is mounted between a) the self-locking gear and the drive unit, b) the self-locking gear and the housing part and/or c) the drive unit and the housing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: C. ROB. HAMMERSTEIN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Karthaus
  • Publication number: 20140319893
    Abstract: A fitting for a motor vehicle seat adjusting device and a method for producing same is based on a relatively adjustable fitting top part and a fitting bottom part, a transmission gear unit, in operative connection with the fitting parts, for adjusting the fitting top part relative to the fitting bottom part, and a drive shaft (21) extending at one end through the fitting in a longitudinal axial direction of a fitting axis and in engagement with the gear unit. The drive shaft (21) is wobble riveted to a bushing (6) to axially secure the fitting top part (2) relative to the fitting bottom part (3). The bushing is arranged in an opening (11), coaxially to the fitting axis, of the fitting top part or fitting bottom part. The drive shaft rests, on the side opposite the bushing, with a stop (12) against the fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Eduard Vatmakhter
  • Publication number: 20140319895
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a seat position of a vehicle seat allows for an automatic or automated adjustment of the seat position of the relevant vehicle seat. The device includes at least one vehicle seat, at least one first sensor unit for determining physical parameters of a potential vehicle passenger located outside of the vehicle and/or at least one input device and/or at least one second sensor unit for determining the scat position of the vehicle seat, and at least one control unit. A method is provided for the automatic or automated adjustment of a seat position of a vehicle seat by a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GMBH
    Inventors: Wei Lange-Mao, Andreas Eppinger
  • Publication number: 20140312673
    Abstract: An easy to operate sleep support frame for travelling is disclosed. The support frame includes a movable and curved chest rod which can move from a passenger's chest to the bottom of the seat; a chest cushion connected with the chest rod; and a headrest connected with the chest rod. The headrest can be placed in the back of the front seat or above the chest rod. The chest rod includes a circular arc segment with meshing gear teeth on the inner circular arc side of the chest rod. One end of the chest rod goes through the driving gear box under the seat to be driven by a driving gear box. The passenger can press a button to drive motors to raise chest cushion, and press the button to lower the chest cushion to be close to the seat bottom if the chest cushion is not used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Jianquan Chen
  • Publication number: 20140306507
    Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle seat has a latch which is mounted pivotably about a second axis and is intended for locking a counter element, with a clamping eccentric which is mounted pivotably about a first axis parallel to the second axis and, by interaction with a first functional surface of the latch, secures a locked state of the latch. In the locked state, the clamping eccentric acts in a spring-loaded manner on the first functional surface via a clamping surface. The clamping eccentric is moveable from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof. A pretensioned compression spring is provided, which is supported at one end thereof on an arm of the clamping eccentric in a manner spring-loading the latter into the locking position thereof and, at the other end thereof, acting upon the latch in the unlocking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Mueller, Volker Windecker, Stefan Haber, Kadir Yasaroglu, Silke Labuk
  • Patent number: 8857913
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back includes first and second side members and a cross member. The cross member has an extended portion that extends from the first side member. A bushing is disposed on the extended portion and is received by a hole in the seat bottom to support pivotal movement of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Schuhmacher, Michael Heinrich Joop Heyer
  • Publication number: 20140300160
    Abstract: A seat operating device comprising: an operation member; a first clutch member that is connected to an adjusting mechanism, and in which is formed a first cut-out portion that opens outwardly in a rotation radial direction of the first clutch member; a second clutch member that is connected to another adjusting mechanism, and in which is formed a second cut-out portion that opens outwardly in a rotation radial direction of the second clutch member; and a switching member having a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that are positioned at mutually opposite sides across a rotational center. When the switching member is positioned at one end of a range of movement of the switching member, the first engaging portion engages with the first cut-out portion, and, when the switching member is positioned at another end of the range of movement, the second engaging portion engages with the second cut-out portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryohei Shigematsu, Takafumi Hirata, Miho Nakazono, Takeshi Nakamura, Hiroshi Yagame, Hironobu Okamura
  • Publication number: 20140300088
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that can effectively restrain a passenger from moving outward in a vehicle width direction in the event of a collision of a vehicle is obtained. The vehicle seat disclosed is equipped with a pop-up bar that is supported displaceably upward, an MGG that is operated to displace the pop-up bar upward, a tension cloth that is connected on an upper end side thereof to the pop-up bar and on a lower end side thereof to a front end side of a seat cushion, and a lateral collision ECU that operates the MGG in a case where a lateral collision of the vehicle is detected or predicted. The tension cloth is deployed such that a tensile force is applied between a connection portion thereof to the pop-up bar and a connection portion thereof to the seat cushion as the pop-up bar is displaced to a popped-up position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Fukawatase
  • Patent number: 8851573
    Abstract: It is described a neck rest where the cushion 1 is rotatably and eccentrically mounted on a mounting stay 2. The mounting stay is attached in a cushion by means of sector shaped hinges 3. The friction between the stay and cushion can be regulated by means of a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ekornes ASA
    Inventor: Jan Kato Klokk
  • Publication number: 20140292052
    Abstract: A chair has a supporting frame 1, a seat portion 101, a back portion 201 that has an upper end, a lower end, and is pivotally mounted relative to the supporting frame at a position above its lower end, and a recline mechanism 601. The recline mechanism 601 lifts the seat portion 101 upon a reclining action of the back portion 201, and has an operative connection 603, 611 between the seat portion and the supporting frame and a drag link 602 pivotally connected to the seat portion 101 and pivotally connected to the back portion 201 at a position below the pivotal mounting of the back portion relative to the supporting frame. As the back portion 201 of the chair is reclined, the lower end of the back portion 201 moves forward and the drag link 602 pulls the seat portion 101 upward relative to the supporting frame 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Kent Wallace Parker, Gregory William Baum, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Gavin James Bateman, Leon Harley Craze, Jon Leonard Fifield, Mark Rundle Pennington, Wayne Douglas O'Hara, Martyn Walter Goodwin Collings, Paul James Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20140292054
    Abstract: A component, in particular for a vehicle scat, has an opening for the fastening of the component, the opening having a centre point and a radius. The component is locally hardened at at least one point in the vicinity of the opening and at a distance from the opening. The vicinity of the opening is a region around the centre point with a radius of up to four times the radius of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Wolfgang Pluta, Lars Kramm, Harald Wolsiefer
  • Publication number: 20140284989
    Abstract: A vehicle seat reclining device includes first and second brackets, which are rotational relative to each other, two guide portions provided on the first bracket and forming a guide groove, a pawl, and a protruding portion. The pawl has outer teeth, which can engage with and disengage from inner teeth of the second bracket, and is guided by the guide groove to move radially. The protruding portion protrudes circumferentially at least at the tip end portion of the guide portion. A fulcrum of inclination of the pawl with respect to the guide part may occur at the time when the outer teeth and the inner teeth are disengaged from each other. The fulcrum located at a position closer to the inner teeth than an intersection point between the guide portion and a normal to a surface where the outer teeth and the inner teeth are engaged with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Naoaki Hoshihara, Shinya Isobe
  • Publication number: 20140284979
    Abstract: A seat adjustment apparatus for a vehicle includes a pair of seat adjustment mechanisms, a drive source positioned close to one of the pair of seat adjustment mechanisms and far from the other one of the pair of seat adjustment mechanisms, and a connecting member transmitting a drive power to the pair of seat adjustment mechanisms, wherein the connecting member includes a first portion transmitting the drive power to the one of the pair of seat adjustment mechanisms and having a first torsional rigidity, the connecting member includes a second portion transmitting the drive power to the other one of the pair of seat adjustment mechanisms and having a second torsional rigidity, and the first torsional rigidity differs from the second torsional rigidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo NIHONMATSU, Yoshihiro Fujita
  • Publication number: 20140265516
    Abstract: A movable seat for a transit vehicle has a folding seat cushion that moves between a use position oriented to support a passenger and a storage position. The seat is supported by at least one pedestal that can be mounted in a vehicle for movement with respect to said vehicle, for example to provide space for a mobility aid. The pedestal has a locking mechanism and a lock activator that places the locking mechanism in a locked position to prevent movement the seat. The seat also has a release mechanism that in one orientation maintains the locking mechanism in a locked position and in a second orientation unlocks the locking mechanism and also prevents placement of the folding seat cushion to the use position when unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: American Seating Company
    Inventor: Randy P. PHINNEY
  • Patent number: 8833849
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) is equipped with a seat frame composed of a sub-frame (16) and a rod (30) provided between certain regions of the sub-frame. The rod is equipped with a minor vibration damping portion (34) that maintains rigidity of the seat frame when the seat frame is displaced by a large amount and suppresses an increase in rigidity of the seat frame when the seat frame is displaced by a small amount to reduce the level of minor vibrations in the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Ishimoto, Keisuke Ishizaki
  • Publication number: 20140252839
    Abstract: A connection element of a headrest pole on a seat structure of a motor vehicle seat, includes a connection profile which receives the headrest pole and/or a headrest pole housing. The connection profile protrudes through a lateral wall of the seat structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Simon Fleischheuer, Harald Mund, Robin Ndagijimana, Jutta Klingspohn, James Abraham, Hans-Georg Werner, Wolfgang Pellenz, Nils Frisse
  • Publication number: 20140246892
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement for a seat includes an adjusting linkage configured to be coupled to an adjustable component of a seat, a power drive and a switch means. The power drive has terminals and is configured to effect a relative displacement between the adjusting member (26) and the power drive. The switch means is coupled to the terminals and is configured to set a voltage applied at the terminals to a first voltage when the switch means is in a first state and to a second voltage when the switch means is in a second state different from the first state. The adjusting member and the switch means are configured such that the adjusting member causes the switch means to toggle between the first state and the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: L&P SWISS HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Maxime Samain, Stijn Coene, Hein Claerhout
  • Publication number: 20140239698
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for assembling a base to a piece of furniture is provided with at least two cams having complimentary interlock mechanisms constructed and arranged to interlock one to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: BIlly Joe Griggs, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140239692
    Abstract: A mechanism for an office chair includes an adjusting device and an electromotive drive used to actuate the adjusting device to simplify manipulation of the adjusting device for changing a movement characteristic of the office chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: BOCK 1 GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: HERMANN BOCK
  • Publication number: 20140239679
    Abstract: A RTA recliner is provided whereby the recliner mechanism is provided attached to the RTA component parts and provides a disassembled configuration that is substantially rectangular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Billy Joe Griggs, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140232164
    Abstract: A tailored vehicle seat component 12 having at least two portions with different properties that are joined together, such as by an adhesive or in a welding process (e.g., laser weld). These different properties include thickness, grades, surface finishes, coatings, and the like. The laser tailored welded vehicle seat 12 components may be incorporated into seat back frames 16, seat track assemblies 26, recliners 20, seat base frames 18, head restraints 88, cushion pans 132, and the like, to optimize manufacturing operations, mass, performance quality, and costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Sakkinen, Michael J. Thomas, Kurt A. Seibold, John D. Kotre, Christopher P. Kubacki, Mark A. Harris
  • Publication number: 20140232155
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Berthold Bocsanyi
  • Publication number: 20140232148
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to car seat control assembly having a car seat control module installable in a motor car seat and a cable set for components of the seat. The car seat control module is non-separably connected with the cables of the cable set. Each of the respective cables has a plug connector for connection to the component associated with the cable on a terminal end opposite the car seat control module. In this arrangement, the assembly requires minimal packaging space enabling the arrangement to be installed in the motor car seat in a quick and simple manner, for a secure connection between car seat control module and components of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jasmin EBERT
  • Patent number: 8807656
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat main body having a seat cushion and a seat back which are connected via a reclining device, a shaft member which protrudes from the reclining device, and an operation lever which is connected to the shaft member and is rotated when operating the reclining device. The operation lever includes a lever main body which is attached to the shaft member, a sliding portion which is provided on the lever main body and configured to slide relative to the seat main body when the lever main body is rotated about the shaft member, and a protruding portion which protrudes from the lever main body toward the seat main body at a position further separated apart from the shaft member than the sliding portion and is brought into contact with the seat main body when the lever main body is tilted by an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hayato Matsui
  • Patent number: 8807657
    Abstract: A method and an attachment clamp for attaching a seat belt to a seat frame of a bus seat are provided. The attachment clamp includes at least one upper arm having at least one slot disposed through the at least one upper arm. The attachment clamp includes at least one lower arm that is received within the at least one slot of the at least one upper arm. A receiving channel is defined by the at least one upper arm and the at least one lower arm. The receiving channel is configured to receive the seat frame. The upper arm and the lower arm are pivotable with respect to each other and are fastenable to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Erik C Wilson, David M Gerst, Samuel D Wagoner, Patrick E Temple, SanJeev Vij, Eric DeView, John Swenson
  • Patent number: 8807655
    Abstract: A fixture arrangement for a seat, in particular for a vehicle seat, is provided. The fixture arrangement includes a first and a second fixture each of which comprises a first and a second driving element, each of which has a cavity with an internal contour, and a shaft connecting the two fixtures and an adjusting element for operating the fixtures. The shaft has a first end with an external contour to be positively inserted into the first driving element and a second, in particular cylindrical end. In an intermediate mounted position the second driving element, the second end of the shaft and the adjusting element can be positioned in any rotational position. In a final mounted position the two driving elements, the shaft and the adjusting element, are connected with each other in a rotationally fixed manner by, for example, a bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Frank Fassbender, Oliver Steffen
  • Patent number: 8794700
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing an entertainment device to a vehicle seat having a pair of spaced headrest post guides extending through a top surface of the vehicle seat is provided. The mounting assembly includes a first bracket member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end and the second end each configured to attach to a respective headrest post guide with the first bracket member extending between the headrest post guides. A second bracket member is configured to support an entertainment device and is slidingly attached to the first bracket member and is selectively securable between forward and aft locations relative to the first bracket member to position the entertainment device rearwardly of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Brawner
  • Publication number: 20140210251
    Abstract: An assistive device for closing an extended recliner having an assistive mechanism operatively associated with the extension and retraction mechanism of a recliner footrest wherein said mechanism is constructed and arranged for a user to actuate said mechanism in order to assist in closing the extended footrest of a recliner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Billy Joe Griggs, JR.
  • Patent number: 8789888
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a button assembly. The button assembly includes a bezel having a ramp feature and a button having a feedback arm that engages the ramp feature. Movement of at least a portion of a seat component is permitted when sufficient force is applied to the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Achim Tscherbner, Timo Schroeder, Karsten Mueller
  • Publication number: 20140203619
    Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for stabilizing a chair on unstable ground. The device is particularly suited for chairs having horizontal or longitudinal leg support sections that contact the ground. The device comprises an elongated platform body having a longitudinal axis along its length and a horizontal axis along its width. The platform body has an upper surface, a ground contacting surface and a perimeter edge. The upper surface comprises at least one adapter positioned along the longitudinal axis for affixing the device to the horizontal or longitudinal leg support section of a chair. The increased surface area provided by the device reduces or eliminates instability when the chair is used on unstable surfaces such as sand, snow, gravel or grass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Dapra
  • Publication number: 20140197670
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom adapted to mount to a vehicle. The seat assembly further includes a first seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom defining a recline angle relative to the seat bottom, and a second seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom proximate to the first seat back defining a recline angle relative to the seat bottom. A pin is pivotally connected to the second seat back, is sized to be received within a latch mechanism on the first seat back, and is operably connected to the second seat back to pivot to a stowed position when the first seat back is pivoted to a recline angle that is less than the second seat back recline angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nizar Freijy, Rahul Deshmukh, Jianliang Ma, ShuYing Xia, YiHua Huang, Michael Heinrich Joop Heyer, Norbert Hertling, Martin Stanner, Stephan Purnhagen
  • Patent number: 8764117
    Abstract: A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Hendrik R. van Hekken, Jason Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20140175850
    Abstract: An adjustable armrest includes a housing with opposite walls. Each of the walls has a bore formed in it. The boxes support a pivot pin with a gear so that the armrest is pivotable on the pin. A ratchet with a pawl is pivotably connected to and carried by the armrest. The ratchet is also configured so that the pawl may engage the gear to define incremental ratcheting movement of the armrest on the pin when the armrest is pivoted in one direction. There is also provided a cam ring selectively movable with the armrest for rotational engagement with the gear. The cam ring has an exterior cam surface that contacts a portion of the ratchet and pivots the ratchet clear of engagement with the gear when the armrest is pivoted in another direction. The new armrest incorporates fewer components lowering cost of production, improving torsion force and load bearing capabilities, improving life of the furniture piece and strengthening armrest and furniture piece assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: TIM ROEGLIN, HARI SUNKARA
  • Publication number: 20140167483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat adjustment mechanism for a seat, for example a seat for all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Schneider, Daniel P. Strobach, Phillip B. Swain
  • Publication number: 20140167482
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a system that may be coupled to and is compatible with various sizes and types of furniture including chairs and stools with individual legs, to help stabilize such furniture by outwardly expanding at least a portion of the footprint of the furniture to which the system is coupled, by separating the tipping axes of the furniture and the system coupled to the furniture, and/or by increasing the tip resistance of the chair by coupling it to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Jake Myre, Laura Myre
  • Publication number: 20140167484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with roller guide, wherein the roller guide includes at least one guide rail, which is at least partially open at the side, and at least one roller which rolls in the guide rail and is connected by at least one shaft to parts of the vehicle seat, wherein a roller cover part of the roller can roll with a running surface of the roller along an inner wall, on the lower side of the roller, of the guide rail arranged parallel to or at an angle to the longitudinal course of the axis, wherein at least the roller cover part of the roller is made from material that can be deformed by pressurisation by means of seat occupation and in a movement-free state without seat occupation rests on the inner wall, on the lower side of the roller, and an inner wall, running parallel thereto on the upper side of the roller, of the guide rail so as to make contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Norbert LEHNER
  • Publication number: 20140159458
    Abstract: A seat angle adjustment device includes a ratchet wheel, a stop plate, a locking slipper and a pawl, wherein a first stop position limiting part and a second stop position limiting part are arranged on the stop plate, when the first stop position limiting part is subjected to a rotating torque in a rotational direction, the locking slipper in a locking position circumferentially abuts against the first stop position limiting part; when the rotating torque is higher than a first preset torque value, the pawl in an extended state is driven by the ratchet wheel to rotate until the tooth part on one side of the pawl is completely engaged with the ratchet wheel; and when the rotating torque is higher than a second preset torque value, the second stop position limiting part abuts against the pawl. A seat having the seat angle adjustment device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HUBEI AVIATION PRECISION MACHINERY TECHNOLOGY CO.,
    Inventors: Jian Lu, Xianhu Luo, Wende Huo, Wenxue Du, Jian Du
  • Patent number: 8740309
    Abstract: There is provided a seat gap hiding structure in a vehicle seat where a cutout portion is formed on a seat cushion to arrange a seat belt therein, and a strip-shaped member is provided on a seat cover to correspond to the cutout portion at a part of the cutout portion, which is other than an arrangement position of the seat belt to cover a gap around the seat belt. One end portion of the strip-shaped member is fixed to the seat cover and the other end portion thereof is movably fixed to the seat cover using an elastic member. When the strip-shaped member is moved from an original position where the strip-shaped member covers the gap of the cutout portion, the elastic member generates an elastic force to return the strip-shaped member to the original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Kajihara
  • Publication number: 20140145493
    Abstract: A method of forming a connecting structure between column and seating portion of an office chair includes the steps of forming a frusto-conical portion having a flange by cold-pressing a portion of sheet metal, inserting the flanged portion into a mold reproducing the shape of the structure, injecting plastic material into the mold and incorporating the flanged portion of the frusto-conical portion into the plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: IMARC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Francesco Zanchetta
  • Publication number: 20140145491
    Abstract: A fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, includes a first fitting part and a second fitting part, which are rotatable relative to one another and which are in geared connection with one another by a ring gear and a gear wheel which meshes with the ring gear. The fitting also includes a cam which is driven by a driver and revolves in the circumferential direction in order to drive a relative rolling movement of the gear wheel and the ring gear. The driver is mounted with a clearance and/or the cam is mounted on a collar of the second fitting part. The collar has a flange on the free end thereof. The end face of the flange forms an axial support surface for the driver. The flange includes a groove in the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Martin Stilleke, Jonni Musian
  • Publication number: 20140145492
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing an entertainment device to a vehicle seat having a pair of spaced headrest post guides extending through a top surface of the vehicle seat is provided. The mounting assembly includes a first bracket member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end and the second end each configured to attach to a respective headrest post guide with the first bracket member extending between the headrest post guides. A second bracket member is configured to support an entertainment device and is slidingly attached to the first bracket member and is selectively securable between forward and aft locations relative to the first bracket member to position the entertainment device rearwardly of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ATOM, ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Brawner
  • Patent number: 8733831
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing an entertainment device to a vehicle seat having a pair of spaced headrest post guides extending through a top surface of the vehicle seat is provided. The mounting assembly includes a first bracket member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end and the second end each configured to attach to a respective headrest post guide with the first bracket member extending between the headrest post guides. A second bracket member is configured to support an entertainment device and is slidingly attached to the first bracket member and is selectively securable between forward and aft locations relative to the first bracket member to position the entertainment device rearwardly of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Brawner