Patents Assigned to Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20230103950
    Abstract: Provided is an unprecedented chair in which a space between swinging surfaces facing each other can be appropriately hidden. The chair includes swinging surfaces (rolling surfaces) 312a and 322a facing each other, and has a configuration in which the swinging surfaces 312a and 322a swings with respect to each other in directions of 360 degrees including front-rear and left-right directions. In such a chair, an elastic member 33 is arranged to be positioned between the swinging surfaces 312a and 322a at least in the vicinity of outer peripheral edges 312z and 322z, and a stretchable sheet material 60 is provided between the outer peripheral edges 312z and 322z to conceal a gap between the swinging surfaces 312a and 322a facing each other, the gap including the elastic member 33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita, Katsuaki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20230108179
    Abstract: Provided is an unprecedented chair in which movement of a seat by using a rolling surface can be smoothly performed. The chair includes an upper base unit 31 and a lower base unit 32 facing each other, and a seat 1 that is provided in the upper base unit 31 and swings when the upper base unit 31 rolls with respect to the lower base unit 32, and the upper base unit 31, which is at least one of the upper base unit 31 and the lower base unit 32, includes a rolling surface 312a being curved. In the chair, a region having a different curvature exists in a part of the rolling surface 312a, and an elastic member 33 is interposed between the region having the different curvature and a corresponding region of an opposing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuaki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20230109498
    Abstract: The chair has a simple structure in which a seat can follow a free movement of a seated person in front-rear, left-right, and diagonal directions, a burden from an operation by which the seated person balances his or her load can also be reduced, and a movement by which the seated person changes his or her posture stably and continuously can be suitably supported. The chair includes a movement mechanism 3 that causes an upper base unit 31 to swing in a direction of 360 degrees with respect to a lower base unit 32, and a seat 1 attached to the upper base unit 31. The chair further includes a damper mechanism DM that may operate by following a movement in a direction of 360 degrees, as a mechanism separate from the movement mechanism 3, at a position connecting the upper base unit 31 and the lower base unit 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11540637
    Abstract: To realize a noble, useful seat with a simple structure designed to follow a natural movement of a seated person in front-rear and left-right directions and to support appropriately a movement of the person continuously changing its posture while the person balances a load. The seat includes the elastic support layer 3 and upper and lower base units 4 and 5 arranged to sandwich the elastic support layer 3. The upper base unit 4 includes the rolling surface 42e bulging toward the lower base unit 5 thereabove via the elastic support layer 3, is rollable in a 360° direction from the tilt reference position IRP in receiving a load of the seated person, and has a moving distal end side tilting more downward as a distance from the position IRP increases, and is configured to move while compressing the elastic support layer 3 by the rolling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11533998
    Abstract: A chair includes a leg 1, a seat 5 including a pressure receiving surface PS, a backrest 6, and a support mechanism SM. The seat 5 can move in the front-rear or left-right direction along a predetermined trajectory and to downwardly incline a tip side of the seat 5 in a movement direction in accordance with a movement of the seat 5 from a predetermined reference position (S). The support mechanism SM includes a return-force generation unit configured to generate, in accordance with an amount of movement, a return force in a direction in which the seat 5 moved from the reference position (S) in the front-rear or left-right direction is returned to the reference position (S), and movably supports the backrest 6 in the left-right direction together with a movement of the seat 5 in the left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Katsuaki Hayashi, Takao Sugano, Kenta Asano, Takayoshi Kanou, Kenta Shiozawa, Kensuke Nakamura, Kazuki Tsukadaira, Naoya Niimura
  • Patent number: 11297951
    Abstract: A chair is realized which takes specific measures to suppress movement of a seat in a front-rear direction when the seat swings in the front-rear and the left-right directions with respect to a support base. For the purpose, the chair wherein a seat 5 swings in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to a support base 2, the chair is configured such that swinging of the seat 5 in front-rear direction with respect to the support base 2 is capable of being suppressed at one or a plurality of predetermined positions, or arbitrary position via operation of operation member 152.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita, Kenta Shiozawa, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kensuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11253077
    Abstract: A chair according to the present invention has a reference position P located midway in a front-back direction in a movable range of a seat 2. The chair includes a return force generation mechanism 4 configured to generate a return force in a direction to return the seat 2 moved from the reference position P at least in the front-back direction to the reference position P. The return force generation mechanism 4 includes an elastic member 40 configured to increase the return force in the direction to return the seat to the reference position P as the amount of movement of the seat from the reference position P increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano
  • Publication number: 20220031073
    Abstract: A chair includes a leg 1, a seat 5 including a pressure receiving surface PS, a backrest 6, and a support mechanism SM. The seat 5 can move in the front-rear or left-right direction along a predetermined trajectory and to downwardly incline a tip side of the seat 5 in a movement direction in accordance with a movement of the seat 5 from a predetermined reference position (S). The support mechanism SM includes a return-force generation unit configured to generate, in accordance with an amount of movement, a return force in a direction in which the seat 5 moved from the reference position (S) in the front-rear or left-right direction is returned to the reference position (S), and movably supports the backrest 6 in the left-right direction together with a movement of the seat 5 in the left-right direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicants: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Katsuaki Hayashi, Takao Sugano, Kenta Asano, Takayoshi Kanou, Kenta Shiozawa, Kensuke Nakamura, Kazuki Tsukadaira, Naoya Niimura
  • Publication number: 20210393036
    Abstract: To realize a noble, useful seat with a simple structure designed to follow a natural movement of a seated person in front-rear and left-right directions and to support appropriately a movement of the person continuously changing its posture while the person balances a load. The seat includes the elastic support layer 3 and upper and lower base units 4 and 5 arranged to sandwich the elastic support layer 3. The upper base unit 4 includes the rolling surface 42e bulging toward the lower base unit 5 thereabove via the elastic support layer 3, is rollable in a 360° direction from the tilt reference position IRP in receiving a load of the seated person, and has a moving distal end side tilting more downward as a distance from the position IRP increases, and is configured to move while compressing the elastic support layer 3 by the rolling surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11202509
    Abstract: [Problem] Provided is a chair capable of changing an operation of a movable part between allowed and suppressed states, without causing an up-down movement of a seat or without requiring a complicated structure relying on a back. [Solution] For that purpose, a weight-receiving part 50, the height position of which changes due to a person sitting on a seat surface, is provided on a seat 5, the change of the height position is mechanically transmitted to a control mechanism 8X configured to control an operation of a front-rear swing part 3 being the movable part, and the control mechanism 8X changes an operation of the front-rear swing part-3 being the movable part between allowed and suppressed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kenta Shiozawa, Kensuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11103069
    Abstract: In view of various movement of a seated person, when giving the left-right swinging operation to the seat in the non-conventional aspect, a chair configured such that the back can perform a new movement suitable for the left-right movement of the seat and return to the predetermined position when the seated person leaves a seat, is realized. For the purpose, a back 6 is arranged behind a seat 5, and the back 6 has an operation mechanism 6M turning-movably supporting the load received from a seated person in a left-right direction in a front view, and when the load is applied, at least a part of guide part 65a, 66a of the operation mechanism 6M is separated and the back moves freely, and when the applied load is removed, the back automatically returns to the neutral position along the guide part 65a, 66a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Takao Sugano, Kensuke Nakamura, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kenta Shiozawa
  • Patent number: 11096495
    Abstract: A flange part 31b is provided on a vertical surface 31a on the plate member PM of the front-rear swing part 3, the flange part 31b has a guide surface 31b1 extending to lateral direction and moving the rolling body 45 in the longitudinal direction, a lateral direction dimension of the guide surface 31b1 is greater than a thickness of the plate member PM, the flange part 31b and the portion of the plate member PM forming the vertical surface 31a around the flange part 31b are integrally formed of metal; and the flange part 31b has a shape that goes around the circumference of the guide hole 34 opened in the vertical surface 31a, and then, the rolling body 45 are provided independently to the left and right, to be able to a roll along the guide surface 31b1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu, Kenta Shiozawa, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kensuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10986924
    Abstract: To provide a chair in which the seated person can perceive a comfortable sitting feeling even if sitting for a long time, and furthermore a high work efficiency can stably be maintained, a chair according to the present invention includes a support mechanism 2 interposed between a leg 1 and a seat 3, wherein the support mechanism 2 includes: a seat inclining mechanism Q as a seat inclining function configured to downwardly incline a tip side in an operation direction of the seat 3 when the seat 3 operates from a predetermined reference position (S), and further includes: a return-force generation mechanism configured to generate, in accordance with an amount of movement, a return force in a direction of returning the seat 3 having moved from a reference position (S) in a front-rear or left-right direction, to the reference position (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu, Toshiki Yajima
  • Publication number: 20210112988
    Abstract: A chair according to the present invention has a reference position P located midway in a front-back direction in a movable range of a seat 2. The chair includes a return force generation mechanism 4 configured to generate a return force in a direction to return the seat 2 moved from the reference position P at least in the front-back direction to the reference position P. The return force generation mechanism 4 includes an elastic member 40 configured to increase the return force in the direction to return the seat to the reference position P as the amount of movement of the seat from the reference position P increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano
  • Patent number: 10918211
    Abstract: A chair comprises: a leg 1 erected on a floor surface; a seat 3 arranged above the leg 1; and a support mechanism 8 interposed between the leg 1 and the seat 3, wherein the support mechanism 8 is arranged below the seat 3 and is configured to movably support the seat 3 along a predetermined trajectory by having an omnidirectional connection unit 72 configured to operably connect in all directions including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, comprises: a seat inclining function configured to downwardly incline a tip side in a movement direction of the seat 3, and further comprises: a return-force generation mechanism configured to generate, by elevating a center of gravity of the seat 3, a return force in a direction of returning the seat 3 to the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu, Toshiki Yajima, Katsuaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10881208
    Abstract: A chair includes a support mechanism 2 interposed between a leg 1 and a seat 3, wherein the support mechanism 2 is arranged below the seat 3, is configured to each individually and movably support the seat 3, at least at two locations in a front-rear direction and two locations in a left-right direction, along a predetermined trajectory, and the support mechanism 2 includes: a seat inclining mechanism Q or a seat inclining function configured to downwardly incline a tip side in a movement direction of the seat 3 in accordance with movement of the seat 3, and further includes: a center-of-gravity movement mechanism P or a return-force generation mechanism configured to generate a return force in a direction of returning the seat 3 having moved from a reference position (S) in a front-rear or left-right direction, to the reference position (S) by using a center-of-gravity movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu
  • Patent number: 10856660
    Abstract: A chair according to the present invention is a chair comprising a leg 1 arranged on a floor surface, a leg support pole 13 erected from the leg 1, a support base 4 fixed at an upper end of the leg support pole 13, a seat 2 arranged above the support base 4 and a support mechanism 5 interposed between the support base 4 and the seat 2 and configured to support the seat 2 movably in a front-rear direction and a left-right direction. Additionally, in the support mechanism 5, a left-right support part 51 is attached to the support base 4 movably in a left-right direction, a front-rear part 52 is attached to the left-right support part 51 movably in a front-rear direction, the seat 2 is attached to the front-rear support part 51, and the support base 4 has an arm attachment part 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Toshiki Yajima, Kenta Shiozawa, Tomoaki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10842275
    Abstract: [Problem] The present invention provides a chair and a cover member of the chair that include a cover which can appropriately maintain the appearance of the chair while preventing a sitting person from touching a movement mechanism moving below a seat at the time of movement of the seat or a backrest. [Means for Solving the Problem] A chair according to the present invention is provided with cover members 71, 72 for covering a movement mechanism 5 to support a seat movably at least one direction of front-rear direction and left-right direction, and is configured so that the cover members 71, 72 include a plurality of through-holes 71x, 72x arranged lengthwise and breadthwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Hideshi Hamaguchi, Ippei Iwahara
  • Patent number: 10842276
    Abstract: A chair according to the present invention includes: a leg 1; a leg support pole 13; a support base 4; a movement mechanism 5 located below a seat 2, the movement mechanism 5 provided with plural movement parts 5A, 5B configured to allow the seat 2 to move in a certain area along a predetermined trajectory in a front-rear and left-right directions between the support base 4 and the seat 2, the movement mechanism 5 being a support mechanism configured to support the seat 2 so that the seat 2 moves in the front-rear direction and left-right directions; and plural cover members 71, 72 arranged corresponding to the plural movement parts 5A, 5B. The plural cover members 71, 72 are configured to move relatively in accordance with movement of the plural movement parts 5A, 5B and cover the support mechanism 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Sugano, Toshiki Yajima, Fei Xu, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Yojiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10820704
    Abstract: To provide a chair in which the seated person can perceive a comfortable sitting feeling even if sitting for a long time, and furthermore, a high work efficiency can stably be maintained, a chair according to the present invention includes a leg 1 erected on a floor surface, a seat 3 supported above the leg 1 and a suspension support mechanism 5 configured to operatively support the seat 3, in a front-rear direction and in a right-left direction, along a predetermined trajectory by suspending the part of the seat 3 from a part of the leg 1, the suspension support mechanism 5 comprises a inclining function Q configured to downwardly incline the seat 3 so that a tip side in a movement direction of the seat 3 is positioned below a base end side when the seat 3 operates from a reference position_(S) at which the seat 3 can rest by its own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Sugano, Toshiki Yajima, Katsuaki Hayashi