Patents Examined by Alexander Harrison
  • Patent number: 8882195
    Abstract: A seat base having a first pair of U-shaped tubular elements capable of being deformed, the upper end portion is arranged in a torsionally rigid manner in the vertical direction on a lower surface of the seat part and the lower end portion is arranged in a torsionally rigid manner in the vertical direction on an upper surface of a region of the vehicle floor, and a second pair of S-shaped tubular elements capable of being deformed, the upper end portion is arranged in a torsionally rigid manner in the vertical direction on the lower surface of the seat part and the lower end portion is arranged in a torsionally rigid manner in the vertical direction on the upper surface of the region of the vehicle floor, wherein the first pair of elements is arranged substantially in front of the second pair of elements in the direction of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Dirk Kaessner, Wolfgang Beier, Andreas Vogl, Alfred Weidinger
  • Patent number: 8882200
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a soft latch mechanism. The soft latch mechanism includes a spring arm disposed on a bracket and a housing disposed on a seat back frame. The housing engages an end portion of the spring arm when the seat back frame is in a folded position to inhibit movement of the seat back frame away from the seat bottom frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Joerg-Holger Schneider, Florian Diefenthaler
  • Patent number: 8870288
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, includes a locking mechanism (23) for mechanically locking a moveable catch (31) of the locking mechanism (23) with a counter element (B), and an actuator device (24, 50) for actuating the catch (31) via a drive. A housing (20) is provided in which the locking mechanism (23) is arranged and housed. Improved safety against injuries of vehicle passengers that occur due to non-locked backseat backrests is provided with a motor-driven device for creating a lock of the locking mechanism (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Norbert Heeg, Andreas Diehl, Peter Müller
  • Patent number: 8864232
    Abstract: A vehicle-seat control apparatus includes an operation determination device, an exit determination device, a forward/backward adjusting device and a height adjusting device. The operation determination device is configured to determine whether a passenger operates a vehicle. The exit determination device is configured to determine whether the passenger exits the vehicle. The forward/rearward adjusting device is configured to move the vehicle seat rearward or forward according to a case where the passenger exits the vehicle or a case where the passenger operates the vehicle equipment. The height adjusting device is configured to move a rear part of the seat cushion to an upward state or move a front part of the seat cushion to a downward state when the passenger exits the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8864225
    Abstract: Container for accommodating small article(s) comprises: a container body including flange portion wherein connecting slits are formed; and a container lid element including lateral wall region having projected connecting pieces. A trim cover assembly of the seat includes: a peripheral end area or margin defined in a container mounting hole formed in the trim cover assembly; and connecting slits formed in that margin. In assembly, the connecting pieces are inserted through those flanged portion, while simultaneously the margin of trim cover assembly is sandwiched between the flanged portion and lateral wall region. Those free ends are flattened to connecting slits, respectively, so that free ends of the connecting pieces project from the connect together all the container body, container lid element and trim cover assembly. Finally, the trim cover assembly is attached upon a foam padding, with the container body inserted in a recession of the foam padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Nagasawa, Takashi Inoue, Atsushi Ishii, Naoyuki Makita
  • Patent number: 8851568
    Abstract: Described are passenger seat assemblies having at least one seat back support pivotally coupled to an overhead support structure, at least one seat pan pivotally coupled to the at least one seat back support, and at least one foot rest support may be pivotally coupled to the seat pan. The seat back support may be configured to rotate into a retracted position adjacent the overhead support structure. The seat pan may be configured to rotate into a retracted position adjacent the seat back support. Finally, the foot rest support may be configured to rotate into a retracted position adjacent the seat pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Zodiac Seals US LLC
    Inventors: Robert Funk, Rebeca Rubio Trevizo, Fernando Luis Bencomo Arvizo, Gabriela Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre
  • Patent number: 8827367
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle seat that is constructed to tilt a seat main body such that a front side thereof can be raised, which may include a seat main body support portion that supports the seat main body, a connection mechanism that connects the seat main body to the seat main body support portion, so as to tilt the seat main body on the seat main body support portion such that a front side thereof can be raised, and a drive mechanism that is disposed between a protruded end portion of the seat main body support portion protruded horizontally with respect to the seat main body and an outer surface of the seat main body and is constructed to change a vertical distance between the protruded end portion of the seat main body support portion and the outer surface of the seat main body, so as to tilt the seat main body such that the front side thereof can be raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hibi
  • Patent number: 8820843
    Abstract: A vehicle seat supporting body has padding which has a honeycomb body of elastic material and is covered with upholstery permeable to air and defining a user supporting surface; the cells of the honeycomb body extend along axes crosswise to the supporting surface, are open at the ends, and, in use, vary in volume in response to oscillating movement of the user; on the opposite side to the supporting surface, at least one opening connects the cells to the outside, and is opened/closed automatically by valves in response to compression and decompression of the air in the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Nevio Di Giusto, Andrea Zussino, Giorgio Masoero, Salvatore Demontis
  • Patent number: 8814272
    Abstract: A headrest assembly securable to a motor-vehicle seat back part has a movable headrest and a rod fixed in the seat back and having a plurality of vertically spaced catch formations. A spring carried on the headrest has a pair of legs flanking the rod, elastically deflectable toward and away from the rod, and biased elastically toward the rod, and a crosspiece connecting the legs and fittable with one of the catch formations. An actuator shiftable in the slide relative to the spring has respective actuating formations engageable with the spring legs. The actuator is movable between a latching position in which the actuating formations are generally disengaged from the respective legs and the crosspiece engages the rod and an unlatching position in which the actuating formations engage the respective legs and press them into the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Christian Poehlmann, Joerg Girbinger, Gerhard Delling, Manfred Schlierf
  • Patent number: 8801093
    Abstract: A bicycle seat has an arrow-shape sitting part with a recess has centered down the length of the sitting part top from the wide rear towards the tapered front. The sitting part consists of a framework, which forms the seat bottom; a core, which forms the seat center part and a seat cover which forms its top. Two feet protrude from the sitting part bottom in the longitudinal axis, one in its rear and other one in its front. Each foot forms a monolithic part together with the seat framework. The foot connects directly to the solid block with the hole perpendicular to the seat axis. A shock absorber is mounted on the solid block hole. A bolt passes through a hole in the shock absorber to fasten light-weight flat shaped strips on both its sides, the strips having a rectangular cross-section. Holes have been made in the strip ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: MORGAW Group s.r.o.
    Inventor: Martin Morav{hacek over (c)}ík
  • Patent number: 8801100
    Abstract: A wheelchair having an adjustable seat includes a seat frame including first and second side support members. The side support members are extendable between a first position defining a first length and a second position defining a second length greater than the first length. A seat member is coupled at a first side thereof to the first side support member and at a second side thereof to the second side support member. The seat member extends between the first and second side support members to define a seat area having an initial depth corresponding to the first length of the side support members and a width corresponding to a distance between the side support members. The seat member includes an auxiliary portion for extending the seat member to an extended depth corresponding to the second length of the side support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Drive Medical Design & Mfg.
    Inventor: Michael Serhan
  • Patent number: 8794705
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headrest for motor vehicle seats, comprising an upholstery support (2), a support rod (3) displaceably arranged relative to the upholstery support (2), connecting the headrest (1) to a backrest of the motor vehicle seat and at least two bearing elements (4) arranged in the longitudinal axial direction of the support rod (3), spaced apart from one another on the upholstery support (2) and at least partially encompassing the support rod (3), for guiding the support rod (3), the bearing elements (4) being elastically pretensioned in the direction of the support rod (3). In order to provide a headrest which permits a rattle-free arrangement of the upholstery support on the support rod and which has easy adjustability, it is provided that the bearing elements (4) comprise guide webs (20) distributed over their inner periphery, protruding toward the support rod (3) and extending in the longitudinal axial direction of the support rod (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Johnson Controls Metals and Mechanisms GmbH & Co. KG, Grammer Automotive CZ s.r.o.
    Inventors: Rolf Steinmetz, Richard Hielckert
  • Patent number: 8794707
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a seat comprises at least one fluid chamber and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. Each fluid chamber is configured to be installed in the seat to adjust at least a portion of the seat upon inflation or deflation. The at least one fluid chamber comprises a first fluid chamber. The valve assembly comprises a check valve and a 3/2-way valve. A first port of the 3/2-way valve is in fluid communication with the check valve, and a second port of the 3/2-way valve is in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: L&P Swiss Holding AG
    Inventors: Berthold Bocsanyi, Erich Dörfler
  • Patent number: 8789880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a link chain having two rows of chain elements wherein the chain elements of one row are rotatably connected to those of the adjacent row in the chain plane in such a way that each chain element has two rotational axes, of which each one of the two rotational axes of two different chain elements is in adjacent rows, and that the chain elements of one row are connected to one another by means of toothings of their ends in such a way that the chain is flexible in the chain plane, wherein the rotational axes are designed such that the chain remains in a set position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kintec-Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Mackert
  • Patent number: 8783780
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is formed by mounting cushion materials on a seat frame having a seat back frame and a seat cushion frame and covering the cushion materials with skin materials. At least one of the seat back frame and the seat cushion frame is provided with a first frame receiving a load of a passenger, and a second frame spaced from the first frame to face the first frame, and peripheral portions of the first frame and peripheral portions of the second frame are at least partially overlapped with each other to form overlapping portions, and fixed and jointed at a position away from the side where the load of the passenger is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 8783781
    Abstract: An inflatable reclining chair which provides therapeutic support while in a seated or lying position is capable of being inflated by an air compressor and a valve assembly. The recliner may be placed upon a floor or ground surface and includes conventional chair features such as armrests, a back rest, and a head rest to allow the user to relax in comfort while in a reclined state. The device further includes an inflatable footrest and an internal recline air bladder which allows a user to select a desired back rest angle. In this manner, the user may select a variety of resting configurations. Finally, the recliner may be deflated completely and stored in a carrying case along with the air compressor, for convenient transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Pamela McClure, Tanya K. McClure
  • Patent number: 8777304
    Abstract: Transformable furniture is provided, which is a unitary structure which itself transforms between seating and a play space. More specifically, the furniture has first and second frame members which move towards each other to form a couch and away from each other to form a play space, such as a playhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: William Morgan Dixon
  • Patent number: 8770665
    Abstract: A wheelchair accessible recliner is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the recliner includes a backrest disposed at the rear portion of the recliner and configured to support a torso and back area of a user. A front base member serves to act as a wheel chock to secure rear wheels of the wheelchair within the recliner so that the user can tilt back in his or her wheelchair to stretch and relax. The backrest is adjustable and supported by a back strut. The back strut may be adjusted manually to adjust the angle of the backrest or can be adjusted by an actuator. Armrests are disposed on each side of the recliner and configured to support arms of the user when the wheelchair is positioned within the recliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Terry Darling
  • Patent number: 8752894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a base body of a headrest of a vehicle seat having a base, particularly for receiving headrest carriers for arranging the headrest at a vehicle seat, and a support body having a support surface for a head. In order to provide a base body for a headrest and a headrest, which in the case of a crash reduces the risk of cervical spine injuries, it is provided that the support body is connected to the base such that the support surface is elastically adjustable relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Trimborn, Rolf Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8746792
    Abstract: An energy management load limiting vehicle seat member or construction is shown with collision energy absorbing and anti-submarining features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Ruthinowski, Ian Brewster Hall, Parakrama V. Weerappuli, Brian Robert Spahn, Kevin Siasoco