Abstract: Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage.

Abstract: A base for fixing the safety seating system in a passenger car has an external guiding member that more than equatorially encompasses an internal guiding member for a direct spherical guiding of a removable seated newly born infant. The infant is seated with respect to the geometrical pivoting center and an overall mass axis of the rotating portions such that neck bending and head whip lashing are minimized during a vehicle crash. The encompassing spherical and direct guiding provides for a free impact aligned reorientation of the seated infant unimpeded by adjacent elements of the car that are eventually forced into contact during crash. The direct spherical guiding provides also for a lightweight construction of the rotating portions with low momentum of inertia and consequently high responsiveness of the safety seating system.

Abstract: A seating unit includes: a frame having arms on opposing sides thereof, the frame located in a first position relative to an underlying surface that supports the seating unit; a backrest; a seat; and a reclining mechanism attached to the frame, backrest and seat. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links, the links configured and arranged to move the backrest and seat between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and in a first location relative to the frame and the backrest forms a first angle with the seat, and a reclined position, in which the backrest forms a second angle with the seat, the second angle being smaller than the first angle, and the seat is in a second location relative to the frame that is forwardly of the first location.

Abstract: A passenger seat for use in a motor vehicle includes a first and a second substantially planar region. The seat is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first region is horizontal and acts as the seat, and the second region is vertical and acts as the seat back, such that the passenger is facing forward. In the second position, the first region is vertical and acts as the seat back, and the second region is horizontal and acts as the seat, such that the passenger is facing backward.

Abstract: This seat of a vehicle is provided with: a center supporting block having a first supporting surface for supporting an occupant; side supporting blocks that are arranged at both sides in the width of the center supporting block, and having a second supporting surface that more protrude than the first supporting surface of the center supporting block; movable supporting blocks each arranged between the center supporting block and the side supporting blocks, and each having a third supporting surface which is flush with the first supporting surface while in an initial state; joining portions each joining between the side supporting blocks and the movable supporting block; and expanding devices that are arranged at a back side of the side supporting blocks, expand the side supporting blocks, and incline the movable supporting blocks with respect to the first supporting surface of the center supporting block.

Abstract: A chair comprising a supporting structure having a seat and a backrest, in which the backrest comprises a deformable resting portion made of plastic material which has a non-planar resting surface provided with at least one weakened area which enables an elastic deformation of the resting portion so that the resting portion assumes a configuration bent backwards under the action of a thrust applied backwards by the user, two uprights formed integrally on the lateral sides of the resting portion, and two side connection elements, which connect the backrest to the supporting structure, formed integrally at the bottom ends of the uprights. The backrest is provided with elastic stiffening elements made of a material different from the material constituting the resting portion and arranged only in an area corresponding to the uprights so as to bestow upon said uprights a rigidity to bending higher than that of the resting portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a table and a bench movably coupled to the table. The table and the bench collectively have a first configuration and a second configuration. The table has a first width when the table and the bench are in the first configuration. The table and the bench collectively have a first height when the table and the bench are in the first configuration. The table and the bench collectively have a second width and a second height when the table and the bench are in the second configuration. The second width is less than half of the first width, and the second height is less than half of the first width.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automotive seat the seat cushion level of which can be adjustable up-and-down, in which the safety is improved when a shock is applied to a vehicle. The automotive seat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a level adjusting mechanism for adjusting the seat cushion level, and comprises a base frame, a seat cushion, a seat cushion frame, a space from which to the base frame being adjustable, a stopper which supports the sinking seat cushion frame at a rear end collision of an automobile. The stopper moves to narrow the space between the seat cushion frame and the stopper and supports the seat cushion frame.

Abstract: Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage.

Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest that includes a body and a headrest that is positioned above the body; a reclining mechanism that interconnects the base, seat and backrest that controls the movement thereof between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to the underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle; and a headrest mechanism coupled to the reclining mechanism and attached to the body and headrest.

Abstract: The quickly erectable dome shelter includes an extendible perimeter truss assembly with link members connected between adjacent legs, a central truss assembly of link members, and a roof framework, including pairs of curved upper and lower peak truss members, that is movable between a lowered, collapsed configuration and a raised, upwardly arching position. The shelter also includes telescoping peak pole members coupled to the central truss assembly of link members and the roof framework, and may also include telescoping peak truss brace members connected between a peak truss member and a link member of the perimeter assembly of link members.

Abstract: In a fitting for a vehicle seat having a first fitting part (7), a second fitting part (8) that can be rotated relative to the first fitting part (7) around an axis (A) for freely swinging a backrest (4), an eccentric (11) that is drivable and is rotatably supported around the axis (A), at least two latches (13) that are driven radially outwardly by the eccentric (11) to lock the fitting (5), a control disc (19) that pulls the latches (13) radially inwardly in order to unlock the fitting (5), and a swing-free control element (21) which, during free swinging of the backrest (4) between at least one use position and one swung-free position, prevents locking of the fitting (5), characterized in that during free swinging of the backrest (4), the second fitting part (8) locks the control disc (19), by way of the swing-free control element (21) so that the latches (13) remain open.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing a moveable seat substructure of a vehicle seating system to a stationary base substructure of the vehicle seating system during a dynamic event such as, for example, rapid vehicle deceleration. In one aspect, an inertia lock apparatus is provided for a vehicle seating system and includes: a striker bar; a pendulum latch pivotally moveable between a normal orientation and a latching orientation, wherein the pendulum latch includes a first end with a mass portion configured to pivot about a pivot point relative to a predetermined deceleration, a second end with a catch portion configured to catch the striker bar in the latching orientation and a cam slot intermediate the first end and the second end; and a lock mechanism configured to prevent the pendulum latch from moving from the latching orientation to the normal orientation. In another aspect, a vehicle seating system including the inertia lock apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A pack frame convertible between a pack support and a chair is disclosed, and includes a primary element having opposite first and second ends and a secondary element pivotably mounted on the primary element with respect to the primary element. The primary and secondary elements are movable between a pack configuration and a chair configuration, with the pack configuration being characterized by the primary and secondary elements being oriented substantially parallel to each other and the chair configuration being characterized by the primary and secondary elements being in a skewed orientation with respect to each other. The pack frame includes a securing band for securing the primary element to the body of a user when the primary and secondary elements are in the pack configuration, and a seat for extending between the primary element and the secondary element when the primary and secondary elements are in the chair configuration.

Abstract: A swivel rocker is provided that includes a surface designed to contact a floor so as to facilitate rocking in two directions along a line while limiting rocking in other directions and to inhibit excessive rocking in at least one direction along the line. The swivel rocker also includes a swivel portion such that a seat may be rotated relative to the two directions of facilitated rocking. The swivel portion allows a user to alter the directions of facilitated rocking relative to their orientation on the seat. The rocking surface inhibits excessive rocking in the at least one direction to help prevent the user from tipping over in the chair. Under some embodiments, the swivel rocker is formed of two rockers having a curved portion designed to contact the floor and an additional portion that inhibits excessive rocking. The additional portion extends from the curved portion in several embodiments.

Abstract: A damper (2) includes: a fixing member (12); a rotator (11) which is rotatably supported by the fixing member (12) and forms a gap (13) with the fixing member (12); a silicone-based unvulcanized rubber (15) disposed in the gap (13); and a one-way clutch means (16) which, in a lateral rotation (R1) of a rear seat (3) in a lowering direction, is adapted to transmit the lateral rotation (R1) in the lowering direction to the rotator (11) so as to cause the rotator 11 to undergo rotation about an axis X, and which, in the lateral rotation (R1) of the automobile rear seat (3) in a raising direction, is adapted to inhibit the transmission of the lateral rotation (R1) in the raising direction to the rotator (11).

Abstract: A portable painting tent comprises a tall tripod frame with telescoping legs over which is draped a tent to control paint spray. Inside at the apex of the tripod, a swivel allows a standard house door, or other large items, to be hung from its top edge. A special bracket attaches to the top of the item, where it can be left unpainted, and the whole clips into a slot in the swivel. Both sides and edges of the item can be spray painted, and special handles are used to pick the wet item off the swivel and put it somewhere for drying. The whole tent can be folded up and carried away by collapsing the telescoping legs and folding them together in a tight bundle.

Abstract: A vehicle walk-in device includes a fixed rail, a first lock member, a second lock member, a main mechanism, a sub mechanism, and a transmitting mechanism, the main mechanism having a first drive member, a first release link, and a link connecting shaft, the sub mechanism including a second release link actuated in conjunction with the first release link by means of the transmitting mechanism so that the second lock member is pressed so as to be unlocked and the transmitting mechanism made of a flexible cord-shaped member.

Abstract: A seat reclining mechanism for a power wheelchair implements an actuator and a plurality of linkages mechanistically connected to the seat portion, back portion, arm rests and footrests of the wheelchair to recline the back portion and shift the seat in harmony with the center-of-gravity position of the wheelchair it is attached to synchronously. So that a user can be free from the risk of falling during operation of the seat reclining mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft passenger seat assembly that includes: (a) first and second seats selectively movable between upright and reclined positions and adapted for being positioned beside and at inwardly-facing angles relative to each other; (b) a center console having a relatively wide aft end and a relatively narrow forward end for being positioned between the first and second seats; and (c) the relatively wide aft end of the center console including first and second foot wells therein adapted to permit the feet of a passenger seated in an aft-positioned first or second seat to extend therein when the aft-positioned first or second seat is in the recline position.