Patents Examined by James Alex
  • Patent number: 7845728
    Abstract: A driving device is adapted for an infant rocking chair. The rocking chair includes a seat body and a bottom seat. The driving device includes a base, a supporting element, first and second motion mechanisms, and a power mechanism. The first motion mechanism includes a horizontal first guide path unit disposed at the bottom seat, and a first movable member disposed on the base and movable along the first guide path unit. The second motion mechanism includes a vertically varying second guide path unit disposed at the bottom seat, and a second movable member movable along the second guide path unit and vertically relative to the base. The supporting element interconnects fixedly the seat body and the second movable member. The power mechanism drives reciprocal movement of the first and second movable members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jun-Xu Jin
  • Patent number: 7837264
    Abstract: Children's safety seat comprises—a seat body comprising a sitting section and a back section, wherein the back section and the sitting section has an inner surface for the support of a child and an outer surface whereto a seat belt, is to be arranged, a base onto which the seat body is arranged, a carrying handle pivotally connected to the safety seat wherein the outer surface of the back section is provided with a guide for the seat belt, wherein the guide comprises at least a first guide portion providing for the seat belt to essentially follow the curvature of the outer surface of the back section, at least a second guide portion providing for the seat belt to be arranged angular to the outer surface of the back section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: HTS Hans Torgersen & Sons AS
    Inventors: Willem Mees van der Bijl, Rob Heinemeijer, Johannes Hendrikus Rikhof, Okke van Mourik, Henk Vertegaal, Sander Weernink
  • Patent number: 7837259
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat, in particular air passenger seat, with seat components, such as a seat part (10) and a backrest (12) with a housing shell (20), which is part of the backrest (12) or which at least partially includes the backrest (12) at the back and which comprises at least two shell parts which are connected to each other, at least in an initial state, via a fixing device and of which the one shell part is moved under a sudden introduction of force, such as, for example, in the event of a crash, relative to the other shell part in such a manner that an engagement space between the shell parts is opened up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Staab, Frank Herold
  • Patent number: 7832803
    Abstract: An adjustable linkage to support an object comprising a pair of arms rotatable about a first axis, one of said arms supporting said object and damper means disposed about said first axis between said arms for selective rotational movement and placement of said object relative said other arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Terry Cassaday
  • Patent number: 7819479
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a sliding seat bottom, a slide lock mechanism, a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat bottom, a pivot lock mechanism, a walk-in pivot release actuator, a fold-flat pivot release actuator and a blocking member. The blocking member moves between first, second and neutral positions. The blocking member is connected to the slide lock mechanism and the fold-flat pivot release actuator. The seat back moves the blocking member from the neutral position to the first position when the walk-in pivot release actuator is actuated and the seat back pivots forward. The blocking member unlocks the slide lock release mechanism when the blocking member is in the first position. The fold-flat release actuator, when actuated, moves the blocking member from the neutral position to the second position. The blocking member does not obstruct the seat back from pivoting forward when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Halbig, Martin Stanner, Andreas Thiex
  • Patent number: 7758121
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes an active material in operative communication with a seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to change at least one feature of the seat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Pablo D. Zavattieri, Ukpai I. Ukpai, John C. Ulicny, John A. Cafeo, Rainer A. Glaser, Gary L. Jones, James Y. Khoury, Carol Ann Perelli, William R. Rodgers, Xiujie Gao
  • Patent number: 7758130
    Abstract: A rotational vehicle restraint system includes an anchoring component configured to be attached to a vehicle seat assembly; a rotatable component attached to the anchoring component and configured to rotate relative to the anchoring component about an axis of rotation; and a harness connected to the rotatable component and configured to fit about a passenger. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is configured to restrain a passenger fitted with the harness in both an upright sitting position and a lying down position. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is also optionally configured to enable the passenger fitted with the harness to change from a first lying down position facing forward in the vehicle seat assembly to a second lying down position facing backward in the vehicle seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Michael A. Jay
  • Patent number: 7753451
    Abstract: A bucket sports seat for vehicles having at least one shape-rigid load-bearing shell with upswept side cheeks for bilateral support of the legs, the buttocks and the upper torso of a seat occupant. The seat section and the backrest section are each assigned one separately fabricated load-bearing shell. The two load-bearing shells of the seat section and of the backrest section, adjoining an upper and/or a front boundary of the side cheeks, are connected together by simple swivel joints in a transition region. In the region of the backside of the bucket sports seat, a detachable locking mechanism between the backrest section and the seat section is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Maebert, Klaus Padberg, Romuald Juraschek, Andreas Preuninger
  • Patent number: 7753444
    Abstract: A child seat attached to a vehicle seat comprises a base platform which is attached on the vehicle seat and comprises a guide groove; and a child seat body which comprises a bottom face and a guided member which is fixed on the bottom face. The guided member being slidably engaged with the guide groove. The guide groove comprises a curved portion. The child seat can turn to a substantially lateral direction to a moving direction of a vehicle by the guided member being guided along the curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Vallentin
  • Patent number: 7753440
    Abstract: A fan module for a vehicle seat, comprising a housing which defines at least one portion of an air-conducting duct and accommodates an air conveyor providing, in a position of use, an airflow inside the duct. To reduce disturbances caused by noise during the operation of the fan module it is proposed that the housing and/or the duct comprises at least one sound outlet opening in the flow direction of the airflow downstream behind the air conveyor and transversely with respect to the flow direction of the airflow, which is covered by a sound-absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Zeyen, Maurice Clauss, Franz Bohlender
  • Patent number: 7753441
    Abstract: A multifunctional fisherman chair includes a chair with pivotally attached seat and back sections selectively articulated between folded and unfolded positions. Such a chair further has a support frame connected to the seat section and spaced from the back section respectively. Such a support frame is selectively adapted between collapsed and extended positions in such a manner that the support frame lays generally coplanar with the seat and back sections when adapted to the collapsed position. The present invention further includes a mechanism for holding the plurality of existing fishing rods adjacent to the seat section in such a manner that the existing fishing rods extend upwardly and forwardly therefrom. A mechanism is included for automatically notifying a user when a fish takes bait from at least one of the plurality of existing fishing rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Oscar Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7748788
    Abstract: In a child seat which has a seat portion and a back portion and in which the back portion provided with a shoulder belt guide for guiding a shoulder belt of a seat belt of a vehicle from the shoulder to the chest of a sitter, the child seat is provided with a belt guide position adjusting mechanism for changing the position of the shoulder belt guide in the left and right directions of the back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yumoto, Yusuke Arii
  • Patent number: 7740321
    Abstract: A suspended pixelated seating structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The suspended pixelated seating structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each use independent elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The suspended pixelated seating structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable suspended seating structure. Accordingly, the suspended pixelated seating structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan S. Brill, Douglas M. VanDeRiet, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, Andrew J. Kurrasch, James D. Slagh, Matthew Parkinson, Matthew P. Reed, Jeffrey A. Weber, Timothy P. Coffield
  • Patent number: 7726735
    Abstract: A removable headrest cover for a seat is described having improved features for securing and attaching the cover to a headrest. The improved features include integrated elastic elements that serve to secure the cover to a headrest, eliminating the need for engaging receptacles on the seat. The positioning and placement of attachment points for the elastic provide versatility to the headrest cover that allows it to be used with many different seat configurations. Methods for efficiently manufacturing and packaging the cover are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: XLN Brands, LLC
    Inventor: Raul Resendez
  • Patent number: 7726745
    Abstract: An adjustable armrest mechanism is provided, which is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame. The armrest mechanism comprises a base fixed to the vehicle frame, armrest apparatus movably coupled to the base such that the armrest apparatus pivots about a virtual pivot point located in front of the armrest apparatus and the base, and a locking device for releasably locking the armrest apparatus to the base in one of at least two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene G. Bruns, Adam M. Ruppert
  • Patent number: 7726731
    Abstract: This device includes anchoring mechanism being actuated by a rope and fitted to respective attachments being provided on the pram. The device has two portions namely being a first one (1) being provided at the lower end of the handle and having a cavity (5) in an angularly tiltable arrangement housing an action element (6) being fit to act on the anchoring mechanism (7), and a second portion (2) being solid with the carrycot seat (4) or carrycot and including the anchoring mechanism (7). The action element (6) is made up by an arcuate part one (6?) of whose ends is arranged in a pivoting arrangement at the angular end (5?) of the cavity (5), the arcuate part being at its other end (6?) linked to the pulling rope (8). The action element (6) is fit to act on the bent upper end (9) of a rod (10) pertaining to the anchoring mechanism (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Jane S.A.
    Inventor: Manuel Jane Santamaria
  • Patent number: 7726741
    Abstract: In a longitudinal adjuster (3) for a vehicle seat having a backrest that can pivot freely, a first seat rail (13), and a second seat rail (15) relative to which the first seat rail (13) can be displaced longitudinally, a locking device (16) for locking the longitudinal adjuster (3), a memory device assigned to the first seat rail (13) and interacting with the second seat rail (15), said memory device memorizing a set longitudinal seat position which is relinquished when the vehicle seat (1) is longitudinally displaced during the free pivoting of the backrest (5) and is then re-assumed once the seat is displaced back again, and an actuation device (101) assigned to the first seat rail (13), which actuation device actuates the resetting of the memory device and the unlocking of the locking device (16), the actuation device (101) is arranged with limited movement capability in the longitudinal direction relative to the first seat rail (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Klahold, Gerhard Mitulla
  • Patent number: 7722115
    Abstract: In a bicycle seat assembly a fastener driver is rotatable in first and second directions. Upon rotating the driver in the first direction, it threadably engages a shaft of an adjusting member causing tightening of a connection between a bicycle seat, a seat post and the adjusting member and producing simultaneous adjustment of a wedge sub-assembly provided at an interface between a distal end of the adjusting member and the seat post. Rotation of the fastener driver in the second direction causes at least partial disengagement of the threadable connection between the driver and the adjusting member, resulted in loosening connection between the seat post and the adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Animal Bikes, Inc.
    Inventor: Dominic Biro
  • Patent number: 7717516
    Abstract: Articulating/folding head restraint assemblies that include modular brackets that function as modules and allow for platformability and customization by varying auxiliary components. The modular brackets can be molded or cast using conventional manufacturing processes, and are designed to receive and/or house various components of the assembly such as pivotal head restraint supports, pivotal shafts, locking assemblies, etc. The modular brackets are designed to integrate a number of components that are typically separate in prior art devices and have to be individually assembled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Bradley D. Miller, Brian C. Leja
  • Patent number: 7717514
    Abstract: A chair designed for outdoor use, in particular various hunting applications. The chair is independently adjustable in the seat platform, the legs and the seatback to meet the different requirements for hunting various types of game, such as reclining for fowl flying above, or upright for land animals. It is also mounted on a swivel for quickly pivoting to follow the movement of game. The invention can be used in conjunction with blinds, or can include a pop up tarp for partially concealing the hunter. The seat is not just useful for hunters, but other outdoor enthusiast that want to view wildlife easily and in comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Dean Redmann