Patents Examined by David E Allred
  • Patent number: 12133594
    Abstract: A convertible beach seat system allows a user to form an arrangement of coupled together beach seats and armrests. Also, a method of forming a beach seat in a beach includes digging a trough or trench for receiving the leg portion of the beach seat and forming a sand-mound back rest for the back portion of the beach set to rest thereon. The beach seat system includes a plurality of beach seats, each having a back portion, a seat portion and a leg portion that are pivotably connected about hinges. Each of the beach seats have attachment apertures along the sides for detachably attaching beach seats together by the insertion of attachment posts that extend between the coupled beach seats. Armrests may be detachably attached to the beach seats. Attachment posts are provided for insertion into attachment apertures to coupled together beach seats or armrests to a beach seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Inventor: Anthony D. Wright
  • Patent number: 12128803
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an armrest tilting device provided on a seat and capable of tilting and adjusting an armrest capable of supporting a user's arm. The armrest tilting device includes: a shaft which is installed on a seat and has one end installed on an armrest in such a way as to be relatively rotated; a housing which is fastened to the armrest and supports the shaft in the state where the shaft is installed on the armrest; a bracket which is fastened and fixed to the shaft; a ratchet which is rotatably fastened to a hinge member fastened to the bracket; a sector gear portion which is fastened to and rotates together with the armrest and is engaged with the ratchet; a guide plate which is provided on the sector gear portion and where the ratchet moves in one area while being separated from the sector gear portion; and an elastic member which applies an elastic force such that ratchet gear teeth formed on the ratchet are meshed with sector gear teeth formed on the sector gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: DAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Hun Kim, Kwang Su Moon
  • Patent number: 12115888
    Abstract: A joint fitting for a motor vehicle seat may have a first fitting part with a first sprocket and a second fitting part with a second sprocket. The fitting may also have a gear which rolls in the first sprocket and in the second sprocket to generate a rotational movement between the two sprockets. The fitting may also have an eccentric which is arranged between the first fitting part and the gear for driving a rolling movement of the gear in the first sprocket. The eccentric may have two wedge segments and a spring which pushes the wedge segments apart. An additional eccentric is arranged between the second fitting part and the gear for removing a play between the gear and the second sprocket. The additional eccentric may have two wedge segments. A vehicle seat having at least one such gearing fitting is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Grit Scholz, Kirubaharan Albert Reginold, Dieter Henkel, Daniel Huebner, Balaji Paramasivam, Arkadius Rock, Rolf Schueler, Mothanna Yasen
  • Patent number: 12109919
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a rotation assembly. The rotation assembly includes a first portion, a second portion, and an arm portion. The first portion includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a floor extending between the inner wall and the outer wall. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion. The arm portion includes a first end, a second end, and a tab. The first end of the arm portion is rotatably coupled to a circumferential surface of the second portion. The arm portion is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state relative to a hole defined by a leg of the first portion and an opening defined by the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Saeed David Barbat
  • Patent number: 12108885
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control panel for a multifunctional cup holder installed on a reclining sofa and a sofa thereof. The control panel includes: a plurality of buttons operatively connected to a powered reclining mechanism of an extendable seat, and the plurality of buttons are configured to control the powered reclining mechanism of the extendable seat to move among different positions; a light switch button operatively connected with a light source, the light source is disposed inside a cupholder that is placed on an armrest on the extendable seat; a power supply port, and the power supply port is configured to provide power to an external electronic device; a panel body including two sides; and a circuit board disposed in the panel body, the circuit board is electronically connected with the plurality of buttons, the light switch and the power supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: HUIZHOU UPSPRING INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fayun Qi
  • Patent number: 12103497
    Abstract: A system for attaching a storage panel to a vehicle seat may include a storage panel with a defined plane, top surface, and bottom surface, with at least one mounting hole passing from the top surface to the bottom surface. Additionally, the system may also include at least one top bracket with a first lip to attach to a seat frame structure. The system may also include a bottom bracket with a section to attach to the seat frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: BuiltRight Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Walker Beenen
  • Patent number: 12083936
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a panel defined as a portion of a vehicle seat, the panel defines a first aperture therethrough to access an anchor and a second aperture therethrough, and has an engagement region thereon adjacent to the second aperture, a trim cover assembly including a trim cover, a strap connecting the trim cover to the vehicle seat, a seat frame and/or a vehicle framework via the second aperture, and a holder member. The holder member is sized to retract into and emerge from the second aperture, and has an edge configured to engage the engagement region. The trim cover assembly has a first position covering the first aperture to visibly hide the anchor, and a second position with the trim cover assembly spaced apart from the aperture to provide access to the anchor, where the edge of the holder member is engaged with the engagement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Sel, Geraldine Arand, Jochen Kohlhofer
  • Patent number: 12077078
    Abstract: To reduce the weight of a cross member bridged between right and left sides of a seat frame. A seat frame includes an upper frame forming an upper portion of a seat back frame, and a cross member bridged at the upper frame. The cross member includes right and left end portions in a seat width direction, the right and left end portions being fixed to the upper frame; and a first recessed portion that is recessed upward or downward and provided between the right and left end portions. The first recessed portion is provided at a center portion of the cross member in the seat width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Baba, Yuki Hosokawa, Takaya Kurisu
  • Patent number: 12071051
    Abstract: A vehicle seat to be mounted on a vehicle includes a seat cushion and a seat surface lowering mechanism. The seat cushion includes a seat surface on which a waist of an occupant of the vehicle is to be placed. The seat surface lowering mechanism is configured to lower the seat surface in response to either one of an occurrence of a rear-end collision of the vehicle or a sign of the occurrence of the rear-end collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Yadomaru
  • Patent number: 12054262
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a base structure having at least one of a seat pan shell and a backrest shell, and one or more attachment structures configured to removably couple at least one of the seat pan shell and the backrest shell to a seat surface arrangement or a utility surface arrangement. The base structure is convertible between a passenger seat and a utility element based on the coupling of the seat surface arrangement or the utility surface arrangement, respectively, to the base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Adient Aerospace, LLC
    Inventor: Max Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 12054081
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering an axial compression load to a passenger during a frontal deceleration event is disclosed. The system includes a seat frame, a seat pan, and an impulse generator coupled to the seat pan configured to provide an axial compression load onto a spine of a sitting passenger during a forward deceleration event. The system further includes a controller configured to receive a forward deceleration signal from the inertial sensor and activate the impulse generator based on the forward deceleration signal. The impulse generator may generate a compressive force via a chemical reaction, via a mechanically stored energy, a solenoid switch, or via a rotating cam assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark B. Dowty
  • Patent number: 12049247
    Abstract: A walker is disclosed. The walker includes a frame, a wheel, a brake selectively positionable in an engaged state, in which the brake resists wheel rotation, or a disengaged state, in which the brake does not resist wheel rotation, a brake actuator configured to place the brake in the engaged state or the disengaged state, a handle, a hand-position sensor configured to provide a first signal responsive to the handle being grasped in a walking grasp and to provide a second signal responsive to the handle being grasped in a standing/sitting grasp, and a processor configured to cause the brake actuator to place the brake in the disengaged state based at least in part on the first signal and to cause the brake actuator to place the brake in the engaged state based at least in part on the second signal. Related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Scientia Corp.
    Inventor: Carter Lybbert
  • Patent number: 12022962
    Abstract: The present invention provides a protection net apparatus fixed to a baby chair having a tray, comprises: a plurality of net supporting parts fixed to different positions of the tray and each including a clamp portion fixing the net supporting part to the tray; and a supporting rod portion coupled to the clamp portion and extending outwards; a net part including a net with an edge having an inner edge, an outer edge located on an opposite side of the inner edge, and lateral edges each connecting between ends of the inner edge and the outer edge; and a receiving pocket attached to the net on an outer edge portion adjacent to the outer edge in a direction that an opening of the receiving pocket heads toward the inner edge and receiving a top end of the supporting rod portion through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Inventor: Dong Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 12024075
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a seat mounted in a vehicle. The seat includes a base, a back support, a hinge, and a seat belt integrated into the seat. The back support is capable of rotating relative to the base and thereby reclining. The hinge is between the base and the back support and is configured to lock the back support in positions in relation to the base. The seat belt has a shoulder portion and a lap portion and is attached to the seat at a shoulder anchor in the back support and a base anchor in the base. When a generated torque, created from a forward force applied by the shoulder portion of the seat belt, exceeds a threshold amount of torque, the hinge is configured to unlock and back support is configured to rotate forward from a reclined position towards an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Daniel, Daniel Lynn Larner
  • Patent number: 12024253
    Abstract: A dropper post may include an outer tube and an inner tube slidable relative to the outer tube between an extended position and a retracted position. A spring cartridge may include an axially extending cylinder containing a combination of a liquid and a gas and having a sliding surface and a piston with a sealing portion dividing the cylinder interior to provide a first chamber and a second chamber. Moving the inner tube toward the retracted position expands the first chamber. When inner tube is in the extended position the sealing portion is at least partially submerged in the liquid, the second chamber contains a layer of the gas above a layer of the liquid and the first chamber contains the liquid and when the inner tube is in the retracted position the first chamber contains the liquid and a layer of gas between the liquid and the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: D3 Innovation Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Staples
  • Patent number: 12016805
    Abstract: A support device has a main support surface for a person's body, including an auxiliary device influencing the main support surface shape. The auxiliary device includes: a group of supports supporting the main support surface, positioned on the side of the main support surface facing away from the body-supporting side, the supports each including a sub-support surface; an adjuster for each sub-support surface influencing the height of each sub-support surface. The device also includes a monitor for each sub-support surface monitoring the height of the respective sub-support surface; and a programmable control unit controlling the adjuster. The supports include an elastically bendable plate connected to the adjuster. The bending plate is connected to the sub-support surface to influence its height depending on the extent of bending imposed by the adjuster. The adjuster includes an electromotor on the concave side of the bending plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignees: HANS VOORWINDE BEHEER B.V., TINKE 7 MEI B.V.
    Inventors: Hans Voorwinde, Cornelis Willem Tinke
  • Patent number: 12012020
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback and a child seat tether anchor supported by the seatback. The child seat tether anchor has a first member fixed to the seatback and a second member rotatably supported by the seatback. One of the first member and the second member defines a cavity with internal threads and the other of the first and second member is received in the cavity and has external threads engaged with the internal threads. A strap is on the second member. An energy absorber is in the cavity. The energy absorber is compressible relative to the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Saeed D. Barbat
  • Patent number: 12004637
    Abstract: A water bottle seat includes a water bottle cap including a cap body that is configured to attach to a water bottle body, and a seat platform that is attached to the water bottle body. The cap body has a central axis. The seat platform extends in a plane that is transverse to the central axis, and the seat platform extends radially from the central axis a greater distance than the water bottle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Inventor: Jackson Langseth Perrault
  • Patent number: 11998123
    Abstract: An infant care apparatus includes a base; a drive mechanism disposed on the base; a controller electronically coupled to the drive mechanism; and a support device coupled to the drive mechanism. The support device is configured to be moved in both a horizontal and vertical direction relative to the base by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is controlled by the controller to move the support device in a plurality of motion profiles relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Thorley Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick Karl Hopke, Henry F. Thorne, Mary J. Koes, Robert D. Daley
  • Patent number: 11987152
    Abstract: A slide for a vehicle seat, comprising a female rail having at least one vertical side wall, a male rail also having at least one vertical side wall, mounted to slide relative to the female rail, the female rail surrounding the male rail with the vertical side wall of the female rail facing the vertical side wall of the male rail, a position sensor comprising a means for measuring the surrounding magnetic field fixed to the vertical side wall of the male rail by means of a spring member, and arranged between the substantially planar wall of the male rail and the substantially planar wall of the female rail and oriented towards the substantially planar wall of the female rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Guillaume Petot, Fabrice Petit, Wang Chen