Patents Examined by David E Allred
  • Patent number: 11634052
    Abstract: A vehicle seat back may include an integrated suspension structure including a suspension wire and suspension mounting guides coupled to both sides of the suspension wire; and a seat back pad foamed for integrating with the integrated suspension structure in a state in which the integrated suspension structure is inserted into a mold for seat back pad formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Hyundai Transys Inc.
    Inventors: Ju Hyun Cha, Gil Ju Kim, Seon Chae Na, Chan Ho Jung, Teh Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 11629532
    Abstract: A striker applied to a vehicle seat includes an engagement pin having a bar shape and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes: a covering portion that covers a part of a lateral surface of the engagement pin from outside and to which one end portion of the engagement pin along a longitudinal axis of the engagement pin is fixed; and a mounting portion that is mounted to a vehicle seat or a vehicle. When directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the engagement pin are regarded as first directions and directions approximately corresponding to seat front-rear directions are regarded as second directions in a state where the mounting portion is mounted, the covering portion is provided with a first load receiving portion that is approximately perpendicular to the first directions and a second load receiving portion that is approximately perpendicular to the second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daichi Sogamoto
  • Patent number: 11623718
    Abstract: A beanbag comprising a first layer, forming a generally closed container, a layer of cushioning lining an inside of the first layer, a cavity within the closed container, and a resealable access port to access the cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the first layer is marine vinyl, the cushioning is a uniform layer of marine foam, and the resealable access port is a marine-grade zipper. In another embodiment, the cushioning is a layer of beanbag beans. In another embodiment, the resealable access port is an opening at the end of a protrusion, wherein the protrusion can be rolled-up and secured with a fastening mechanism. The beanbag is intended for, but not limited to, use outdoors, such as on the beach, the decks of boats, patios, pool sides, and in water. In a preferred embodiment, the beanbag floats on water and further comprises a reflective band and reflective elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventors: Alfred Joseph Koontz, IV, Alfred Joseph Koontz, III, Kimberly McGee Koontz, John Griffin Koontz, Reilly Christine Koontz
  • Patent number: 11617453
    Abstract: A shield for a tray for a high chair that in a first configuration prevents or minimizes a child's opportunity to dispose of food over and around the shield and in a second configuration, with the shield still remaining attached to the high chair allows, for easy access to the tray, e.g., during the feeding process with the child in the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Alain Wechsler
  • Patent number: 11617449
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sofa armrest. The sofa armrest includes a main body made by blow molding, the upper end of the inner side surface of the main body is recessed inward to form a fabric mounting groove for mounting armrest fabric, and the lower end of the inner side surface of the main body is provided with clamping-connection grooves for being connected with connectors of a sofa underframe. The sofa armrest is made by a blow molding process, and compared with traditional solid sofa armrests, the sofa armrest has the advantages of low weight, high production speed and less manufacturing materials; when the armrest fabric is squeezed and deformed, debris accumulates on the lower wall of the fabric mounting groove or on a seat cover fabric, cleaning of dust and debris is facilitated, and the overall hygiene of a sofa is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: REMACRO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaohong Li, Weiming Chen
  • Patent number: 11618347
    Abstract: A latch device includes a latch engageable with a rod portion of a striker, and is capable of transition to a locked state in which the latch is engaged with the rod portion and to an unlocked state in which the latch is disengaged from the rod portion, and includes a first shaft member that supports the latch in a manner that permits the latch to rotate, and a base member that supports the first shaft member. The base member is a unitary member which includes a first support wall disposed on one side of the latch and configured to support one end of the first shaft member, a second support wall disposed on an other side of the latch and configured to support an other end of the first shaft member, and a connecting wall that connects the first support wall and the second support wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoichi Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 11618352
    Abstract: A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor contained within at least one of the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The sensor is configured to detect the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion and generate a warning signal. The wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning signal to a controller in a vehicle to activate an audible warning alert to warn a user in the vehicle of the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FRIEDMAN IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Mark J. Friedman
  • Patent number: 11612246
    Abstract: A seating furniture chassis comprises a seat surface frame, a backrest frame, two armrests, and a drive mechanism. The backrest frame is pivotable about a virtual pivot axis defined by two pivot points, wherein the backrest frame is fastened to the pivot points on the armrests. The drive mechanism is connected to the backrest frame by a translation mechanism. The drive mechanism is designed to trigger a translation of the translation mechanism, wherein the translation is converted into a pivoting movement of the backrest frame about the pivot axis. The backrest frame is connected below the pivot points to the seat surface frame so that during the pivoting movement the seat surface frame is moved translationally. The drive mechanism is arranged below a first lateral edge region of the seat surface frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Innotec Motion GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Mackert
  • Patent number: 11607045
    Abstract: A portable therapeutic unit and system for treating a back, a neck, or the back and the neck of a user is disclosed. The therapeutic unit includes a first seat, a back support, a hinge, and a metal back. The first seat is designed for the user to sit thereupon. The back support is designed to support a back of the user. The hinge pivotally connects the first seat and the back support. The metal back is connected to the back support, with the metal back magnetically coupling with an attachment magnet. Further, the attachment magnet couples to a therapeutic aid to deliver treatment to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth Bernard Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11603015
    Abstract: A method can be used for automatic lateral repositioning of a child safety seat on a back seat of a motor vehicle. The child safety seat is configured to move laterally across the back seat between lateral sides of the motor vehicle. The method includes determining the lateral position of the child safety seat on the back seat of the motor vehicle, determining a current or intended parking situation of the motor vehicle, deciding which lateral side of the motor vehicle is a preferred access side for the determined parking situation, and laterally repositioning the child safety seat to a preferred position at the preferred access side of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Regina Kaiser, Margaux Krause, Bilal Javaid, Ingmar Langer, Michael Schreiber, Amanda Christiana, Dominik Matheis
  • Patent number: 11590870
    Abstract: A seat includes a seating portion, a backrest, two pairs of vibrators and a vibration absorbing member, and constitutes a driver's seat of a vehicle. The vibration absorbing member is arranged at a boundary portion between a first region and a second region of the seating portion, and is arranged at an intermediate portion between the pair of vibrators. The vibration absorbing member suppresses vibration of the vibrator from being propagated to the second region and vibration of the vibrator from being propagated to the first region. The vibration absorbing member is arranged at a boundary portion between a first region and a second region of the backrest, and is arranged at an intermediate portion between the pair of vibrators. The vibration absorbing member suppresses vibration of the vibrator from being propagated to the second region and vibration of the vibrator from being propagated to the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Iizawa, Tatsuya Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11571993
    Abstract: A seat lifter includes: an inner link for changing a height position of an inner lower arm with respect to a floor of a vehicle; an outer link for changing a height position of an outer lower arm with respect to the floor, a coupling rod that couples the inner link to the outer link; a planetary gear mechanism capable of causing the coupling rod to rotate relative to the inner lower arm and the outer lower arm; a drive unit capable of driving the planetary gear mechanism; and a power transmission rod that transmits power of the drive unit to the planetary gear mechanism. One of the planetary gear mechanism and the drive unit is disposed outside the outer lower arm in the width direction. The other of the planetary gear mechanism and the drive unit is disposed outside the inner lower arm in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Okamoto, Sho Kume
  • Patent number: 11564499
    Abstract: A seat adjuster may include a support member and a fluid bladder. The support member may have a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end may be connectable to a seat frame such that the support member is disposed at least partially below a suspension portion of said seat frame. The fluid bladder may be disposed at least partially between the support member and said suspension portion. The fluid bladder may be configured to support said suspension portion. A change or adjustment of a volume of the fluid bladder may change or adjust the support provided to said suspension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Freeman Lea, Darren Legh, David Jordan, Pete Ford, Chris Morrison, Antony Baxter, Chris J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 11565612
    Abstract: A child restraint spin lock is adapted to be installed in a safety seat that includes a base member and a mid base being rotatable relative to the base member about an axis. The child restraint spin lock includes two locking components and a pivot component. The locking components are adapted to be co-rotatably connected to the mid base, are spaced apart from each other, and are adapted to be movable relative to the base member between a locked position and an unlocked position. The pivot component is adapted to be rotatable relative to the mid base about the axis, and is pivotally connected between the locking components such that movements of the locking components are synchronized by rotation of the pivot component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 11560078
    Abstract: A seat with an alertness-maintaining device that can efficiently secure a drive source (for example, a motor) when the drive source is internally housed and a vibratory stimulus is imparted to the occupant. The present disclosure relates to a seat with an alertness-maintaining device, the seat being provided with an alertness-maintaining device for imparting physical force to the occupant to promote alertness. A load-supporting portion for supporting the load on the back of the occupant is installed, and a device drive unit for imparting physical force to the occupant, the device drive unit that forms the alertness-maintaining device, is attached to the load-supporting portion. The device drive unit is provided with a drive source and a support member. The support member is attached to the load-supporting portion while grasping a part of the load-supporting portion by a drive source attachment surface portion and a load-supporting portion-clamping piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Sugiyama, Haruki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 11560071
    Abstract: A device for improving the accessibility to the space below a vehicle seat (1) and thus its use as a storage space. The device enables the position of the seat (1) or a seat guide (2) with the seat (1) arranged above to be moved in the direction of the front of the vehicle (7) such that accessibility to the stowage space which is in the form of a receiving container (6) or a support is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Constin GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Constien
  • Patent number: 11560073
    Abstract: A child safety seat or a baby carrier for mounting on a motor vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle side seat, has a seat tray and a side impact bar mounted thereon which can be moved from a rest position located in particular within a standard width to a functional position located in particular outside thereof, and vice versa, wherein the side impact bar is positioned in particular on both sides of the seat tray so as to transmit any lateral forces behind the back of a child sitting in the child safety seat and to direct said lateral forces into the seat tray. A side impact bar is used with and mounted on the child safety seat or baby carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: CYBEX GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Pos
  • Patent number: 11553797
    Abstract: A seating arrangement includes a back arrangement movable between upright and reclined positions, a linkage arrangement including a first link member comprising a portion of a seat arrangement, a second link member supported on a base, flexibly resilient front link members extending between forward portions of the first and second link members and being integral with the second link member, and a rigid rear link member extending between rearward portions of the first and second link members including a separate piece from the first or second link members, wherein the rearward portion of the first link member extends laterally in a first plane when the back arrangement is upright, and laterally in a second plane when the back arrangement is reclined, where the second plane is angled with respect to the first plane, and is positioned farther away from the base when the back arrangement is reclined than when upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Ludwig, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, William Thomas Johnson, Bruce M. Smith, Mark William Spoelhof
  • Patent number: 11554702
    Abstract: A latch device for a vehicle includes an engageable member having an engageable notch engageable with a striker, a shaft member by which the engageable member is rotatably supported, a first body including a first support portion by which one end of the shaft member is supported, and a second body including a coupling portion coupled to the first body, and a second support portion by which another end of the shaft member is supported. The engageable member is rotatable about the shaft member between a first position in which engagement with the striker is achievable and a second position in which disengagement from the striker is permitted. With the first body, an entrance of the engageable notch through which the striker comes in the engageable notch in a state where the engageable member is in the first position is covered from one side in an axial direction of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Patent number: 11548419
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat bottom, a seat back, a seat track, and a rear mounting unit. The seat bottom may be pivotally mounted to the seat back. The seat back may be pivotally mounted to the rear mounting unit. The rear mounting unit may be moveably disposed on the seat track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antoine Moulin, Patrick Faye, Thibaud Condamin