Patents Assigned to Michigan Seat Company
  • Patent number: 6359245
    Abstract: A vehicle seat safety system using an electric seat mounted switch sensing the operator's presence in the seat. The electric switch includes an upwardly extending actuator and an actuator plate is superimposed over the switch actuator which is deflected downwardly by the vehicle operator's weight. The actuator plate is formed of an upwardly bowed resilient material and includes lateral extensions whereby the safety switch will sense the operator's weight even though the operator's center of gravity is significantly laterally shifted. Additionally, the switch is received within a uniquely configured opening whereby the switch may be easily replaced, or installed, from the lower side of the seat without disassembly of the upper seat components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Wahls
  • Patent number: 6336619
    Abstract: A seat platform for industrial and agricultural vehicles capable of supporting a seat for forward and rearward movement characterized by low cost and ease of assembly of a seat mount plate with a base plate wherein linear tracks defined on the seat mount plate cooperate with linear guides formed on the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Wahls
  • Patent number: 6186467
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension for a vehicle seat mounted on a scissors linkage wherein the spring supporting suspension force may be adjustable over a wide range of user weight, and wherein the scissors linkage permits the seat, which may include a back, to move in a substantially vertical direction during seat suspension movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Wahls
  • Patent number: 5601338
    Abstract: A seat particularly suitable for industrial applications having a hinged bottom supported upon springs for adjustably resiliently supporting the occupant to absorb vibrations and impact. The springs impose a resilient biasing force upon the seat bottom structure and a conveniently located adjusting knob selectively positions the location of the application of the biasing force with respect to the seat bottom hinge. Accordingly, by adjusting the location of application of the biasing force, the suspension characteristics of the seat bottom may be controlled and preselected with minimum manual exertion and no spring pre-tensioning or pre-compression is required to vary the suspension characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Wahls
  • Patent number: 5168615
    Abstract: A method of assembly of a foam seat cushion and rigid pan permitting high production assembly techniques. The cushion cover includes a flap which is tucked under a retainer. The retainer includes a plurality of lances which pierce the cover flap and enter holes formed in the pan to preliminarily position the tensioned cover flap prior to the installation of permanent fasteners connecting the retainer to the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Chi H. Koa
  • Patent number: 5067772
    Abstract: A seat using a foam cushion removably mounted upon a pan, the pan and cushion both being molded of a synthetic plastic material. Releasable fasteners of the hook and loop type maintain the cushion upon the pan and one of the fastener elements is molded into the pan material while the other element is affixed to a cushion insert. The synthetic plastic pan may include integral spring elements providing additional resiliency to the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Chi H. Koa
  • Patent number: 5067773
    Abstract: A foam seat cushion and rigid pan assembly permitting high production assembly techniques. The cushion cover includes a flap which is tucked under a retainer. The retainer includes a plurality of lances which pierce the cover flap and enter holes formed in the pan to preliminarily position the tensioned cover flap prior to the installation of permanent fasteners connecting the retainer to the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Chi H. Koa
  • Patent number: 5044694
    Abstract: A seat spring plate mount and seat pan assembly for mounting and reinforcing a cushioned seat having an integral seat pan. A reinforcing spring plate with formed locating, reinforcing arcuate ridges which complement seat pan embossments with which they mate is mounted on the inside surface of the seat pan bottom. The spring plate is fastened to the seat pan by formed cylindrical projections extending outward from the spring plate, through holes formed in seat pan rectangular embossments upon which the spring mounting plate rests, which are staked underneath the seat in the manner of a rivet. The seat plate includes at least one internally threaded fastening device bonded to it to receive the externally threaded bolt used to fasten the seat to the vehicle or seat leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Chi H. Koa
  • Patent number: 4561695
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a seat utilizing a resilient synthetic foam cushion wherein the peripheral region of the cushion includes a hook and lip configuration snapping over the seat pan peripheral edge to permit self-assembly of the cushion to the seat pan without requiring additional assembly components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Willis MacCready
  • Patent number: 4307865
    Abstract: Seat mounting apparatus, especially for use with tractors and similar vehicles, utilizing a seat supporting mounting plate and support arms adjustably affixed thereto wherein elongated slots defined on the mounting plate permit the arms to be selectively positioned and affixed to the plate in a wide variety of patterns permitting the plate and associated seat to be readily mounted upon a wide variety of vehicles without requiring modification to the vehicle or machining of the plate or seat structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Willis MacCready
  • Patent number: D256299
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Willis MacCready