Component Of Adjacent Seats Reorientable To Single Bed Patents (Class 297/63)
  • Patent number: 11926248
    Abstract: An occupant support for a vehicle includes a seat bottom arranged to overlie a floor of the vehicle, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend upwardly away from the floor. The occupant support further includes a seat mode-change system that allows the occupant support to adjust the seat bottom and the seat back to provide a storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery T. Bonk, Robert C. Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11889924
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modular sectional sofa, including a bottom frame, a backrest frame and a cushion, wherein the inner side surface of the backrest frame is provided with a hook body, the hook body comprises a connection element, the lower surface of the connection element is provided with an inserting part, the upper surface of the bottom frame is provided with a hole or slot, when the inserting part is connected to the hole or slot, the backrest frame is connected with the bottom frame into a whole. A modular sectional sofa is further provided, including a bottom frame and a U-shaped connection element, wherein the U-shaped connection element connects two bottom frames through a left position limiting post and a right position limiting post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Tongpei Song
  • Patent number: 11338704
    Abstract: An occupant support includes a vehicle seat mounted to a foundation frame for sliding the vehicle seat longitudinally in a vehicle. The vehicle seat is movable from a slid-back configuration to a forward-seating configuration and may be changed from a horizontal-use configuration to a tilted configuration for easy entry into or exit from a rear row of the vehicle. The vehicle seat may be locked in the tilted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventor: Emil Rdzanek
  • Patent number: 9586686
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. Some examples provide systems for providing side support to seated passengers. Some examples include a passenger seat backrest having an extendable side support. An extendable side support may be integrated with a seat backrest and may be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in a deployed position, the expandable side support may then provide additional side support to a seated passenger's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventor: Ali Mohiti Asli
  • Patent number: 9370245
    Abstract: Automatically adjustable seating apparatus are described. The automatically adjustable seating apparatus include first and second seat bottom portions that at least one of which is moveable. The first and/or second seat bottom portions are moveable by automatic adjusters that alter the position of a seat bottom portion between a retracted position and an extended position. When the moveable seat bottom portion or portions are in their retracted position, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus is configured as two seats back-to-back, and when the seat bottom portion or portions are in their extended positions, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus forms a substantially flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, James S. Phares, Raymond L. Tanguay, Steven C. Flowers
  • Patent number: 8936214
    Abstract: Passenger seating arrangements are detailed. At least some arrangements permit each passenger to access an aisle of a vessel without contacting an adjacent passenger. Movable footwells may be utilized to floor-level access when retracted and function as steps when extended as a seat is converted to a bed. This structure authorizes decrease in seat pitch without decrease of bed length, permitting additional seating to be included in a cabin of a vessel without diminishment of passenger comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats France
    Inventors: Benjamin Foucher, Philippe Roy
  • Patent number: 8888175
    Abstract: A pod assembly for use in an aircraft that includes a seat with a seat bottom and a seat back, a shell that at least partially surrounds the seat, and a bed associated with the shell. The bed is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position where the bed is generally flat. The bed is supported by the shell in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Zodiac Seat Shells US LLC
    Inventors: Elijah Dobrusin, Nevenka Prijic, Eric Long, Scott Savian
  • Patent number: 8864071
    Abstract: In a block of two seats side by side which can be converted individually between a chair configuration and a horizontal flat bed configuration, the two seats are arranged and oriented substantially in the same direction, the longitudinal axes of each of the seats in the bed configuration converge towards a point situated behind the seats at a distance such that upper parts of the seat backs and of the head rests are superposed in a head area of the block. The bed planes of the seats of a block are vertically offset and extended by rest surfaces of the foot areas arranged in lateral columns arranged to the sides of the head area in the region of the rear shell of a block situated in front, allowing to reduce the seat pitch without affecting comfort and allowing an improved layout of a cabin for transporting passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: EADS Sogerma
    Inventors: Franck Vergnaud, Didier Guinot, Gabriel Martin
  • Publication number: 20130241246
    Abstract: A premium class passenger suite that includes a main seat positioned in the suite together with separate bed. The bed has a flexible mattress of predetermined dimensions and is movable between a stowed position to one side of the main seat and a deployed position above and separate from the main seat. A drive apparatus is provided for driving the bed between the stowed and deployed positions. The main seat is configured to be movable between a seating position when the bed is stowed, and a stowed position with a lowered seat back when the bed is deployed for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Round, Martin Darbyshire, Ollie Price, Lucas Tretout, Weiwei He, Tommy George Plant, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi, Glenn Allen Johnson
  • Patent number: 8011723
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for an aircraft cabin is disclosed which includes seats having a backrest (16) which is pivotally moveable from an upright position to a flat position. A side ottoman (22) having a front portion (42) is located beside the seat base (14) of the seat. The seat has a footwell (32) into which the front portion of the side ottoman locates so that when the seat (16) is in the flat position a bed is formed by the rear surface (17), the front portion (42) located in the footwell of a front seat in front of the said seat and a base (34) of an open space (30) behind is the backrest (16) when in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Singapore Airlines Limited
    Inventors: James Park, Kim Chui Sim
  • Publication number: 20100140010
    Abstract: A vehicle with a sleeping arrangement includes a vehicle compartment, a driver's seat mounted in the compartment, the driver's seat having a bottom cushion portion and a back portion, and a passenger's seat mounted in the compartment, the passenger's seat having a bottom cushion portion and a back portion. At least one of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat may be pivotable from a normal use position facing a front of the compartment to a sleeping position oriented approximately 90° relative to the normal use position, and the pivotable seat is adapted to recline such that the bottom cushion portion and the back portion of the pivotable seat defines at least part of a generally horizontal surface together with the bottom cushion portion of the other one of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce P. Hollenbeck, Clarence A. Greeney
  • Patent number: 7712831
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, an adjusting system and a method for moving at least one vehicle seat arranged in a vehicle cabin, particularly an aircraft seat, comprising seat components that are coupled or guided together, such as a seat part, a backrest and a leg rest, the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted by means of at least one or more adjusting units. The adjusting system allows a separation of the basic functions from driving devices, with an electronic device for collision-free movement and for adjusting custom-designed functions and facilitating the adaptation of the custom-designed functions. The movement sequences and movements of the respective individual seat components and the seat components in relation to one another and the movements of the components or seats within an environment or group of seats are accomplished by means of a movement model in a coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Bühler Motor GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Abt, Arno Schieweck, Wolfgang Troelenberg
  • Patent number: 7648197
    Abstract: Convertible furniture includes a frame having a seat and a back in the sofa mode. A back cushion is positioned normally to a seat cushion and is attached by a flexible tether. The back cushion can be inverted to extend the seat width for use in a bed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Fabio G. Delmestri
  • Patent number: 7594701
    Abstract: Aircrafts troop seating is lightweight and minimizes protruding features on which gear might snag. High strength webbing straps are added to a light weight seat fabric to add strength where strength is required, thus reducing the overall weight. The webbing is of a type used for seatbelts and meets fire regardant requirements. Seat belt style tension adjusters allow adjustment of the seating stretch to improve comfort and crash protection. Internal hardware attachment points are provided to reduce protruding features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Kawabata, Charlie VanDruff, Michael Duran
  • Publication number: 20090039686
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a chair seat (11) with mutually moveable seat parts (1, 5, 6). The seat parts (1, 5, 6) are mutually shiftable in substantially one and the same first plane. The chair seat is particularly adapted to be used as a chair for surgeons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: SINVENT AS
    Inventors: Tormod Selbekk, Kristine Holbo
  • Patent number: 7380295
    Abstract: A bed for use with two adjacent seats separated from each other so that a gap is defined therebetween, which may include adjacent seats within or outside of a vehicle. The bed comprises a body comprising a first end disposed on one of the passenger seats and a second end disposed on the other seat. The body bridges the gap defined between the seats. The bed may further include means for securing the body into a position relative to the seats, and/or means for securing the body about the back of at least one seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Richardson
  • Patent number: 7174586
    Abstract: An MPU sends pieces of information supplied by the input signals from a hand switch to a semiconductor memory device and the memory device stores these pieces of information. These pieces of information are: input points of an operation start signal and an operation end signal to a bottom drive unit; input points of a drive start signal of each bottom and a drive end signal of each bottom or a bottom drive time, information on lift-up or lift-down of each bottom; input points of a drive start signal and a drive end signal to a frame drive unit, information on lift-up or lift-down of a frame; and the type of an operated button of a hand switch. The data about bottoms is stored for both the back bottom and knee bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Paramount Bed Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 6929306
    Abstract: A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth S Mack, Thomas S Moore, Russell C Fielding
  • Patent number: 6837531
    Abstract: A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth S Mack, Thomas S Moore, Russell C Fielding
  • Patent number: 6711762
    Abstract: A bed is provided for a vehicle with two adjacent seats separated from each other so that a gap is defined therebetween. The bed has a body that includes a first end disposed on one seat and a second disposed on the other seat. The bed bridges the gap between the seats. The width of the body is adjustable for fitting on the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: KTK Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Olenick, Mark S. Olenick, Craig W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030075098
    Abstract: A boat seat assembly having a seating platform including first and second seat bottoms and first and second seat backs, a seat mechanism for moving the seating platform between the flat position and the seating position, a base supporting the mechanism, and a positioning system for maintaining the seating platform in the seating position and for allowing the seat platform to move to the flat position. The seat mechanism includes a track and first and second sliders supported by the track for rectilinear movement for moving the seating platform between the seating position and the flat position. The positioning system includes a locking device for locking the first slider in various rectilinear positions relative to the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: O.C. Huse
  • Patent number: 5893182
    Abstract: A combination ottoman, table or desk and a foldable sleeper bed comprises upper and lower wooden frame sections, the lower frame section being configured as an open top box, atop which the upper frame section is located. The two frame sections are interconnected by a pair of opposed four-bar linkages which permit the upper frame section to be moved between a first position in which it rests atop and encloses the lower frame section, and a second raised position in which it is spaced upwardly and rearwardly from the lower frame section. Contained within the enclosure defined by the upper and lower frame sections, there is a foldable sleeper bed having pivotally interconnected head, body, intermediate and foot sections, which sections are extendable forwardly from the lower frame section when the upper frame section is in the second raised position to form a bed and foldable to fit and be contained within the enclosure when the bed is collapsed and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Mark Sutherland, Peter Weisz
  • Patent number: 5740989
    Abstract: A lay down seat mechanism for a seating system having a front seat that is mounted on a support structure raised above the aircraft floor and having a foot rest that is raised above the aircraft floor and a back seat that is pivoted from an upright seating position behind the front seat to a fully reclined position extending beneath the raised front seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Paul H. Daines
  • Patent number: 5029929
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (8) comprises a backrest (7) which consists of an upper and a lower backrest part (14,15). The lower backrest part (15) is connected in an articulated manner both to a seat part (9) and to the upper backrest part (14). By swinging the lower backrest part (15) forwards in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the upper backrest part (14) backwards in the longitudinal direction, the vehicle seat (8) is converted into part of a bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Saab-Scania Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Staffan Sjostrom, Rolf Johansson
  • Patent number: 4735456
    Abstract: Two seats (1a, 1b) are mounted on carrier components (15, 16) in such a way that by means of a swinging movement they can be brought from a seating position one behind the other to a lying position one above the other. Synchronously with the swinging movement in the lying position. The seats are completely stretched out in a horizontal position by means of adjustment mechanisms (54, 60a/b, 61a/b, 63a/b, 64a/b, 65a/b, 67a/b, 68b, 70b). The device is especially suited for use in transportation systems. In another embodiment instead of single seats (1a, 1b) rows with two or more seats next to each other may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Robert Haefelfinger
  • Patent number: 4685719
    Abstract: The single room interior space of a compact motorvan for most daytime living converts quickly into three private compartments by simply opening a set of dual function folding doors (movable partitions) exposing a toilet and bigger than average shower stall area (latter doubling as coat closet) and at the same time forming a central compartment, thereby automatically creating two more private compartments in front and rear. The kitchen facilities located in the central compartment, opposite from the toilet and shower/coat closet area, are used when the doors cover that area from view. This central utility compartment is always available for active use and never occupied by seats, table or beds. The four seats in the instantly creatable front compartment rapidly convert to two, wide single beds, with ample space between them for quick exit or access to the central privacy compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Hanmar Home Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Jacobus N. Hanemaayer
  • Patent number: 4669780
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a plurality of power seats in a vehicle includes a plurality of power seats, each having adjusting mechanisms for configuring the power seat in a number of different operational states. Operational state detectors then detect the operational state of each power seat. A switching device is provided for adjusting the adjustment mechanisms of the power seats to a desired operational state. Control apparatus is responsive to signals output from the operation state detection devices and the switching device for controlling the adjustment mechanisms of the power seats. The control apparatus causes each power seat to reach its desired operational state in response to the detected operational state of that seat and other power seats to prevent interference among the plurality of moving power seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Sakakibara, Satosi Kuwakado, Toshiaki Shimogawa, Masahiro Taguchi, Sadahisa Onimaru, Toshikazu Ina
  • Patent number: 4544199
    Abstract: A slide-adjustable reclining double seat for boats and like applications comprising a support box and a pair of seats hinged back-to-back resting on the upper edges of the box sidewalls. A locking bar is cantilevered rearwardly beneath each seat bottom. A pair of opposed slides of molded plastic construction are affixed to the box sidewalls and have channels which slidably receive ends of the locking bars. Laterally aligned recesses in the channels define locking positions of the reclining seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Detroit Marine Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Wrigley
  • Patent number: 4496189
    Abstract: A seat device comprises a pair of main seat portions which can be turned backwards and arranged close to each other, a pair of main seat back portions projecting upwardly from the main seat portions, respectively, a pair of auxiliary seat portions attached to both sides of each main seat portion, and a pair of auxiliary seat back portion attached to both sides of each main seat back portion. All the auxiliary seat back portions and the seat portions are movable between an extended position and an unextended position. The seat device is suitable for use in a van type automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Company, Limited, Aichi Machine Industry Company, Limited, Ikeda Bussan Company Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanizaki, Sakae Ebihara, Akimitsu Hatanaka, Takayoshi Ogawa, Yuzo Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 4494792
    Abstract: A seat, which is transformable into a berth for a vehicle comprises a horizontal seat member and a seat back connected to the support of the seat member by an articulated linkage. The linkage maintains the lower portion of the seat back in permanent contact with the rear portion of the horizontal seat member during the pivoting movement of the seat back, from an upstanding position to a position in which the surface of the seat and member of the seat back are in alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme Des Usines Chausson
    Inventor: Alexandre Quercy
  • Patent number: 4487451
    Abstract: A vehicle seat especially adapted for use in a camper, pick-up truck or the like which has a seat back which can be fully reclined to the horizontal position. The seat includes a sleeping compartment arrangement which is attached to the seat for use as a bed cover when in a horizontal position. The base of the seat back includes leg members, which allow level placement of the seat back in the horizontal position. When in use as a conventional car seat, a belt or strap secures the sleeping compartment to the seat. The seat is designed for removal from the vehicle, for use as a bed in a tent, cabin or other area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Inventor: Paul J. Fiorini
  • Patent number: 4268086
    Abstract: A seat assembly mechanism for inclining a seat back to desired positions including a horizontal position to form a bed and also folded forwardly to provide room for cargo and packages. The seat assembly also has the mechanism for placing the seat back and a seat in an upright position after the seat back has been folded over the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teiji Okuyama
  • Patent number: 4186960
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having seat and back members pivotally connected to each other and movably mounted on a frame for movement between a seat-defining position in which the seat member is generally horizontal and the back member is upright and a bed-defining position in which the members are in general horizontal side-by-side positions. The seat member is slidably mounted on the frame by a pair of track portions that enable the horizontal reciprocal movement of the seat member between a rearward location in the seat defining position of the vehicle seat assembly and a forward location in the bed defining position of the vehicle seat assembly. A link member connects the rear member with the frame so that in response to forward movement of the seat member, the link member serves to pivot the back member rearwardly and downwardly to the horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Ned W. Mizelle
  • Patent number: 4106809
    Abstract: A seat base unit and a seat back unit are pivotally supported on a vehicle body. The units are movable between seat-forming positions wherein the units comfortably accommodate passengers and load-carrying positions wherein they protectively close a load-carrying space. A foldable floor is interconnected with the seat base unit for movement between a stowed position when the units are in the seat-forming positions and a floor-forming position when the units are in the load-carrying positions. A spring is used for counterbalancing the weight of the units and the foldable floor and thereby to facilitate the movement of the units and the foldable floor between the respective positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Inventor: Karlis Minka
  • Patent number: 4099768
    Abstract: Seat and back sections of the unit are pivotally interconnected so that they may be placed in selected angular relationships, including coplanar. Links interconnect this sub-assembly to a base frame so that the subassembly can be supported in either of two positions which are spaced horizontally. This arrangement permits a pair of units to be installed on opposite sides of a removable table to function as seats, and then be shifted together, after removal of the table, to eliminate the leg space and form a continuous bed surface when the seat and back sections are in coplanar position. A locking system secures the selected position determined by the links, and also the angular relationship of the seat and back sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Inventor: James Amos