Patents Examined by Peter R. Brown
  • Patent number: 8434820
    Abstract: The invention discloses a vehicle seat with a stowable central segment seat part. The central segment seat part is supported by means of a support element on an additional seat part and is adjustable in a longitudinal direction relative to said additional seat part. The support element is thereby secured against unwanted movement by means of at least one securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Stuart Woolston, Stefan Flucht, Peter Szegeny
  • Patent number: 8430455
    Abstract: A device for maintaining a hinge of a seat in an unlocked position, that includes a locking mechanism that can be declutched by rotation of an axis of the hinge, and a cam connected to a back of the seat and having a profile adapted to act on a forced-rotation driving mechanism of the hinge axis from a first inclination angle of the back of the seat towards the front, and to stop acting on the driving mechanism from a second inclination angle towards the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Daniel Douceau, Vincent Hazera
  • Patent number: 8424963
    Abstract: An angle adjusting device for a bicycle saddle is disclosed. The device includes a frame coupling block, which is coupled at a lower end thereof to an upper portion of a height adjustment unit. A saddle coupling post is coupled at a lower end thereof to an upper end of the frame coupling block and is coupled at an upper end thereof to the saddle, with a through hole formed in the upper portion of the saddle coupling post. An angle fixing unit includes a pair of fan-shaped plates attached to left and right sides of the frame coupling block, and a pair of rectangular plates coupling front and rear edges of the fan-shaped plates to each other. An angle adjusting unit is coupled to the saddle coupling post, and is detachable from holes in the angle fixing unit to control the rotation of the saddle coupling post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Chun Choo Kim
  • Patent number: 8424967
    Abstract: A seat includes a bearing structure and a number of cushions. The cushions cover the entire area of the seat surface and the backrest of the seat. Each cushion is formed of a textile spacer structure held in a fluid-tight casing. The casing has a connection for a hose line. Before a user sits on the seat, the hose line is open to the outside air. Due to the force applied by the seat user, the cushion and spacer structure are compressed, whereby simultaneously air is displaced out of the cushion. The cushions thus experience a contouring according to the body shape of the seat user. After the user sits down, the contouring can be fixed by blocking device the hose line, and thus separating the reduced air volume in the inside of the cushion from the outside air. In this way, the contouring of the seat cushions is maintained when the seat user leaves the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uemit Kilincsoy, Alexander Durt, Matthias Franz
  • Patent number: 8414072
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a collapsible hanging chair which may be transported easily into remote areas and attached to any substantially vertical support, such as a tree or a telephone pole. The collapsible hanging chair of the present invention may be attached to a swivel for 360° rotation and visibility. A series of cords connected to the seat support springs provide for suspension of the collapsible hanging chair and combine with the springs to provide shock absorption and balancing as the user sits and rotates in the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: David Phillips
  • Patent number: 8398173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headrest for a vehicle, a method for producing a headrest, and a vehicle seat comprising a headrest. The headrest is provided with a body (2) and a holding element (3). A filling material (23) is provided between a connection part (22), used to connect the holding element (3) to the headrest body (2), and a cover (21). The connection part (22) and the cover (21) define an essentially tight space in relation to the filling material (23) when the filling material (23) is in the essentially liquid processing state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Philippe Morilhat, Francois Zaepfel, Paul Quirin, Eugenie Geisinger, Yves Olland, Nicolas Mehl
  • Patent number: 8398166
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat base extending forward from a lower end of the seat back. The seat base is formed of a first foam member extending laterally across the seat base to absorb loads and a second foam member formed over the first member to form a seating surface of the seat base. The first foam member includes at least one channel for interlocking the first foam member and a second foam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Derek Shane Lindsay, Terrie Ellison
  • Patent number: 8388066
    Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism is disclosed that includes a pedestal height variability mechanism. The pedestal height variability mechanism includes a first member and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism is configured to hold the first member in a first position. The first member has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The biasing mechanism has a first portion attached to the first member adjacent the first end of the first member. The biasing mechanism also has a second portion attached to the first member adjacent to the second end of the first member. Preferably, a second member is also provided that is moveably attached to the first member. The second member may be configured such that movement of the second member actuates height adjustment of a chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Allison, Arkady Golynsky
  • Patent number: 8388059
    Abstract: An actuating system for a head restraint of a vehicle seat is provided. The head restraint includes a part that can be shifted from a comfort position to a safety position, such as in the event of an accident. Limbs are expandable from an initial position as a consequence of pressure loading to bring about a lengthening which can be transmitted to force transmission means. The limbs are connected to one another and/or to fastening means by joints, each having a first and a second joint pin which can be inserted axially into holes to form the joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Guenther, Klaus Sperling, Marcus Thies, Silvio Hartlaub, Joshua Hesterberg
  • Patent number: 8382034
    Abstract: A system box for accommodating aircraft systems, and for load transmission between an aircraft structure and a crew rest compartment. The system box comprises a first, a second and a third region, wherein the three regions differ from each other. The first region is adapted attachment of the system box to the primary structure of the aircraft, wherein the second region is adapted for mechanical contact with a crew rest compartment for the aircrew. The mechanical contact in turn is adapted for load transmission between the aircraft structure and the crew rest compartment. Necessary aircraft systems are accommodated in the third region of the system box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Gijsbertus Beentjes, Holger Warner, Christian Wesselink
  • Patent number: 8360518
    Abstract: A wheelchair lift assist mechanism (10) is provided that includes a structure having a seat portion (18) and comprised of a seat (20) inter-connected with a tube (22) a bar (24) and bracket (30) fastened by bolts (28) joined to a handle (26) and attachable to a wheelchair (12). The mechanism (10) capable of supporting and boosting a patient (14) to a standing position by an assistant (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: David Braaten
  • Patent number: 8360521
    Abstract: This invention relates to restraining means for seats which can be conveniently adjusted. Accordingly, the invention consists in one aspect of a seat assembly comprising a seat having one or more straps, the straps having a primary bracing point located on the assembly, one or more apertures, and at least one bracing member, wherein the bracing member is co-operable with at least one of the straps and at least one of the apertures to form a secondary bracing point for the strap. In a second aspect, the invention consists of a five-point harness for a child's safety seat, comprising at least one strap and at least one bracing member, the bracing member having a bracing surface for engagement with at least one strap, the bracing member being moveable along said strap to be co-operable with apertures in a seat to be secured releasably to said seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Scott Macliver
  • Patent number: 8360516
    Abstract: A passenger seat includes a rigid frame, a seat pan supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame, a leg rest pivotally attached to a forward end of the seat pan, a seat back pivotally attached to a rearward end of the seat pan, and a single actuator linked to the leg rest such that extension of the actuator causes the leg rest to pivot forward, the seat pan to move forward, and the seat back to recline. A method of adjusting the passenger seat includes activating the actuator such that extension of the actuator causes the leg rest to pivot forward, the seat pan to move forward, and the seat back to recline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Brian Dowty, Tracy N. Pence
  • Patent number: 8360525
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reclining device of a seat for a vehicle, which makes it possible to prevent backlash between an external gear 12 and an internal gear 22 in stop, resulting in preventing a vibration noise due to movement of the seatback. Further, it is possible to obtain sufficient power from even a small-output motor in operation, by minimizing the gear press angle to increase the operational efficiency. In addition, it is possible to design a compact reclining device by simplifying the shape and reduce the size of assemblies of wedge blocks 70, 120 and cams 80, 110, resulting in reducing the weight and the manufacturing cost and making it possible to freely designing the reclining device, depending on a disposing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: DAS Corporation
    Inventors: Jaewon Cha, Junsik Hwang
  • Patent number: 8360529
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a seat back mounted to pivot on a seat cushion by a recliner mechanism, and is urged forwardly by a torsion bar subassembly which has two ends fixed respectively to the seat back and to the seat cushion. The torsion bar subassembly urges the seat back to pivot forwardly for only a limited arcuate range of travel from a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Chris Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8360520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-whiplash system for the use in vehicle seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Kongsberg Automotive AB, Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Markus Olsson, Jan-Inge Johansson, Anders Kvarnström, Mats Stenholm
  • Patent number: 8348342
    Abstract: A preference control mechanism is provided that includes a housing, a shuttle, a sub shuttle and at least one resilient member. The housing has a channel. The shuttle has a cavity. The shuttle is moveable within the channel of the housing from a first position to at least one second position. The sub shuttle is moveable within the channel of the housing and is moveable independent of the shuttle. The one or more resilient members have a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is attached to the shuttle and the second end is attached to the sub shuttle. The preference control mechanism is configured for attachment to at least one chair component. Chairs may also be designed to include one or more embodiments of the preference control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Arkady Golynsky, Gregory Allison
  • Patent number: 8348341
    Abstract: A chair assembly has a base frame, a pivot frame, a backrest frame, a seat frame and a backrest-adjusting device. The pivot frame is mounted pivotally on the base frame. The backrest frame is mounted securely on the pivot frame. The backrest-adjusting device is mounted between the base frame and the pivot frame and has a torsion spring biasing the pivot frame and the backrest frame to pivot forward. The backrest-adjusting device tightens or loosens the torsion spring to change the resilient force provided to the backrest frame against users' back. Therefore, the chair assembly adapts to differ users well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Yun-Chien Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8342608
    Abstract: A Velcro loop pad portion facing outwardly is fitted on the front surface of a back of a chair. A harness having straps extending over the top of the back of the chair secures the Velcro loop pad to the chair. A waist belt having a Velcro hook panel sewn to the waist belt with the Velcro hook panel facing outwardly adjacent the back of the user. The Velcro hook panel is adapted to cooperate with the Velcro loop pad to transfer weight of a user to the back of the chair while seated in the chair. The harness straps extending over the top of the back of the chair support the Velcro loop pad to keep the Velcro loop pad in place when being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Gerry Cook
  • Patent number: 8336966
    Abstract: A support pin component for attachment to a reclining part of a vehicle seat and for insertion into a support receiver of a support frame, and a vehicle seat having a support pin component. The support pin component comprises an attachment region configured for attachment to a reclining part of a vehicle seat, and a pin, preferably having an internal thread, configured for pivotable insertion into a support receiver of a seat frame. The support pin component is a shaped part of sheet steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Häntsch, Heiner Kempf