Patents Examined by Rodney B. White
  • Patent number: 11659933
    Abstract: A furniture spring system includes a lid configured to provide a seating surface. The lid includes a frame having two opposing frame members and a retention member associated with at least one of the two opposing frame members. The furniture spring system further includes a slat extending between the two opposing frame members. The slat includes a plurality of slat portions adjustably coupled to each other, such that a total length of the slat is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: The Lovesac Company
    Inventors: Shawn D. Nelson, David M. Underwood, Brian Kuchler, Clint Gibson
  • Patent number: 11653763
    Abstract: A seating assembly for athletes includes seats having a back and seat portion, a base, an adjustable element, a user interface device, and a controller. The back portion includes a back heating member that provides heat to a user's torso. The seat portion includes a lower limb heating member that provides heat to the user's lower limbs. The base supports each seat. The adjustable element is coupled to the base and one of the seats and adjusts height of the seat. The user interface device receives an input regarding a desired temperature of the back heating member and the lower limb heating member. The controller receives the input and adjusts an operation of the back heating member and the lower limb heating member to achieve the desired temperature. The user interface device receives a second input to adjust the a height of the seat relative to the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Deer Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Troy Rohan Flanagan
  • Patent number: 11653767
    Abstract: A seatback assembly structured to at least partially support a seated individual on a wall, specifically but not exclusively, a pre-existing or newly constructed wall configured to facilitate one or more individuals to sit on an exposed portion thereof. The seatback assembly includes a back support orientation to and extending along the length of the wall and a connector assembly disposed in an operative position interconnecting the back support to the wall. The connector assembly includes at least one or a plurality of brackets, each including a base and a support segment and an anchor interconnecting each of the one or more brackets at least partially on the interior of and in stabilizing relation to the wall. A supporting orientation of the back support includes it connected to the wall in receiving, engageable relation to a seated individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Lee Michael Jackson, Richard Willis Jackson
  • Patent number: 11642991
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes vehicle seats having integral components for use with ventilation, air conditioning, and/or heating systems. Air ducting can be incorporated into the seat base and the seat back. Further, air can be directed through a rear-facing outlet vent in the seat back, providing improved ventilation, air conditioning, and/or heating for rear passengers of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas LaBerge, Kyle Ness
  • Patent number: 11642994
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion frame that structures a frame of a seat cushion and that is configured to support buttocks of a seated vehicle occupant; a seat cushion pad mounted to the seat cushion frame; and a pelvis supporting portion having a push-up portion that is provided at a seat lower side of the seat cushion pad along a seat left-right direction and that, by being displaced toward a seat upper side, pushes a seat rear side portion of the seat cushion pad toward the seat upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Katsube, Katsutoshi Imanari, Yuma Terada
  • Patent number: 11642983
    Abstract: A wire harness connected to a sensor is positioned on a back surface of a pad of a vehicle seat supported by a panel. The vehicle seat (1) includes a panel (4); a pad (11, 51) supported by the panel; a skin material (12, 52) covering a front surface of the pad; and a sensor (32) provided between the front surface of the pad and the skin material for acquiring information on a seat occupant, wherein the pad is provided with a through hole (35, 58) passed from the front surface of the pad to a back surface of the pad, and a recess (45, 61) formed in the back surface of the pad and connected to the through hole, the wire harness connected to the sensor extending in the through hole and the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ozawa, Naohiro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11634051
    Abstract: A kinetic seat assembly that rotates based on a force applied on an occupant seated therein is provided. The kinetic seat assembly includes a primary seat cushion frame, a primary seat back frame, a secondary seat cushion frame pivotally connected to the primary seat cushion frame, and a secondary seat back frame pivotally connected to the primary seat back frame. The kinetic seat assembly further includes a front pivot mechanism for damping movement between the primary seat cushion frame and the secondary seat cushion frame in a kinetic seat vertical direction, and an upper pivot mechanism for damping movement between the primary seat back frame and the secondary seat back frame in a kinetic seat longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Rupert Muck, Charles P. Patterson, Matthew R. Speck, Peter J. Moegling
  • Patent number: 11633044
    Abstract: A folding chair includes front and rear supports that fold and/or retract into central beams to reduce the space occupied by the chair in a folded configuration. A backrest is coupled to the central beams with a hub that allows an angle of the backrest relative to the central beams to be selected and for the backrest to be folded flat relative to the central beams. One or more actuators and pin actuators may control the relative movements of the backrest, front support, rear support, and central beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Sunflow, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Hsu Besner, Jeffrey Servaites
  • Patent number: 11634048
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided including a base section fixed to a floor of a vehicle, a pair of seat sections that are disposed opposing each other as viewed along a seat width direction, that are each supported by the base section so as to be capable of tilting between a horizontal position and an upright position, and that each include plural cushion sections disposed in series and configured to support the body of an occupant, and a hinge mechanism that attaches the pair of seat sections to the base section such that the seat sections are capable of tilting, and that couples the plural cushion sections together such that the cushion sections are capable of swinging about an axis running along the seat width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Tanaka, Kenichi Katsube, Donghyoun Kim, Takuma Oki
  • Patent number: 11627806
    Abstract: A portable chair assembly including first and second chairs and a movable support frame, each chair having a seat and a backrest. Each backrest is adapted (i) to be folded by a user onto its respective seat in a collapsed position and (ii) to be moved away from that seat into a deployed position. The support frame has at least two frame segments, each frame segment having an upper frame portion supporting one of the backrests at pivotable connections with the upper backrest portion of that backrest, and each frame segment being joined to the other frame segment by an upper joint member and a lower joint member. At least one angle member is provided per chair, a backrest end portion of each angle member being fixedly or removably secured to one of the first chair backrest and the second chair backrest, and a frame portion of each angle member restricting movement of the support frame away from the seats to establish a maximum deployment angle in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: LAMBS & IVY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Laiken, Stephanie Elias, Daniel Arrin Garr, Jorge Gabriel Soto
  • Patent number: 11627808
    Abstract: An article of furniture including a bottom frame, a plurality of panels forming an outer surface of the article of furniture, and a plurality of struts for securing the panels in place. The bottom frame has an outer periphery which is securable to at least some of the panels. The bottom frame is configured for placement on a floor surface. Further, each strut has an elongated member configured for securement to at least two adjacent panels which are oriented in different planes from one another. The adjacent panels are secured to the respective struts with removable fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Remco Bergsma
  • Patent number: 11622630
    Abstract: A height adjustable chair is disclosed. The chair is provided with a foldable seat and a base unit supporting a foldable seat. The base unit contains a column enclosing a hydraulic pump and a pair of collars attached to the hydraulic pump. The chair further contains a number of legs attached to one of the collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventors: Clifford Wayne Williams, Kenneth Larkin Moore
  • Patent number: 11622631
    Abstract: An apparatus/method for assembling a modular ergonomic chair without using fasteners including a seat support structure that includes a plurality of recesses, wherein each recess includes a releasable latch mechanism (RLM); a vertical seat shaft; a pedestal; a first and second arm rest each of which include an arm rest connecting member, wherein the arm rest connecting member has a cavity to receive a RLM latch member of the seat support structure; and a back support, which includes a connecting member, wherein the connecting member also has a cavity to receive the latch member of another RLM of the seat support structure. The back support, first arm rest, and second arm rest are removably coupled to the seat support structure to permit easy assembly and interchanging of seat components. A reclining back support embodiment is also provided using a RLM latch spring with a corresponding connecting member in the seat support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Jay A. Berkowitz
  • Patent number: 11618346
    Abstract: A child safety seat alarm system includes a child safety seat, an alarming device, a detection mechanism and a driving portion. The alarming device is configured to receive a signal and output an alarm signal. The detection mechanism includes a detector and a trigger mechanism. The detector is configured to detect whether states of the alarming device and the detector meet a predetermined criterion. The detector is in a non-working state when the trigger mechanism is in an open state, and the detector is in a working state when the trigger mechanism is in a closed state. When a child is seated in the child safety seat, the driving portion is operated to switch the trigger mechanism from the open state to the closed state so as to switch the detector to the working state. When the detector detects the states of the alarming device and the detector meet the predetermined criterion, the alarming device outputs the alarm signal for alarming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Bambino Prezioso Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Ruyi Li, Zu Jian Liu
  • Patent number: 11617445
    Abstract: A structure for adjusting a support force of a lumbar pillow includes: a back hugger body, a lumbar pillow, an elastic support, and a support adjustment mechanism; wherein a bottom of the back hugger body is hinged to a top of the lumbar pillow, and a back of the back hugger body is provided with a connection arm; one end of the elastic support is connected to a back of the lumbar pillow, and the other end of the elastic support is connected to a front side of the connection arm; and the support adjustment mechanism includes a slide block and a drive assembly connected to the slide block, wherein the slide block is slidably connected between the elastic support and the connection arm and is abutted against a back of the elastic support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: COMFORT OFFICE FURNITURE CO., LTD GUANGDONG
    Inventor: Yao-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 11612253
    Abstract: Here is described a piece of furniture, and particularly a sofa, that comprises a base and a seat cushion. The base comprises longitudinal structures; a pair of transversal structures mounted to the longitudinal structures; arms rotatively mounted to the transversal structures; and poles mounted to the arms. The seat cushion is adapted to be laid over the base. The poles are movable between positions providing therethrough one of: an adjustable support for the seat cushion; and an adjustable slope for the seat cushion. The sofa may further comprise mounting brackets mounted inwardly to the frame, each one comprising a mounting rod. Cushions of the sofa comprise a cushion body; and a pair of mounting braces extending from the cushion body and comprising a slit in which the rod is positioned as the cushion is rotated around the rod until the cushion stands in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TRICA INC.
    Inventors: François Caron, Philippe Beland
  • Patent number: 11612249
    Abstract: A chair chassis includes: a base, provided with an accommodation chamber; a backrest support; a memory stopper, disposed on the backrest support, wherein the memory stopper is provided with a first arc surface facing the base; a locking slider, slidably disposed in the accommodation chamber of the base, wherein the locking slider is provided with a second arc surface disposed opposite to the first arc surface, and a side of the locking slider is provided with a first rack; a first elastic member; and an elastic slider, slidably disposed in the accommodation chamber of the base, wherein one end of the elastic slider is provided with a second rack, wherein the second rack is meshable with the first rack. Accordingly, the chair chassis according to the embodiments of the present disclosure achieves reclination memory adjustment of a backrest of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: COMFORT OFFICE FURNITURE CO., LTD GUANGDONG
    Inventors: Guoqiang Hu, Min Zhang
  • Patent number: 11612248
    Abstract: A foam-based seat and an enclosure for a foam-based seat is provided. The foam-based seat includes a base, main body, a cutout opening formed in the main body, fitted fabric configured to encase the main body, and a removable nesting insert configured to friction fit within the cutout opening. The removable nesting insert can be inserted into the cutout opening, or removed, to provide a myriad of seating arrangements. The foam-based seat may constitute a variety of geometries, including one embodiment that is square with a square removable nesting insert, and another embodiment that is round with an expanded base and a circular nesting insert. The enclosure for a foam-based seat includes a rigid frame with two ends, an internal opening configured to circumscribe a foam-based seat, and a shelving unit that extends from the two ends of the rigid frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: FOMCORE, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Dustin Leffring, Jeffrey Zack
  • Patent number: 11612247
    Abstract: The present application relates to a shop chair with a seat cushion supported by a strong, light-weight base assembly with an elevated central hub that threadably receives a central column to adjust the height of the seat cushion. The base includes several vertically oriented thin plate legs that extend radially outward and downward from a central hub. The outer ends of the legs are joined by a stabilizing ring with a diameter larger than the seat cushion. Oversized caster wheels and the large footprint of the base provide a stable work platform. The seat cushion can be selectively lowered until the bottom of the central post is proximal to or contacts the ground. The chair and its base are particularly suited for work done closer to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher J. Rusch
  • Patent number: 11607044
    Abstract: An upholstered piece of furniture with a frame including a pair blow molded hollow arm rest forms, wherein spanning wood frame members extend between the forms. The wood frame members secured to the forms with interference fits, and minimal threaded fasteners. The arm rest forms have through slots which allow the seat deck and arm upholstery to be pulled through and anchored with staples providing a secure attachment. Threaded fasteners clamp onto the polymer wall of the forms for attachment of frame members. A blowmolded backrest has a metal reinforcing arms connecting to a seat platform. Holes in arm rest allow upholstery panel connections with Christmas tree connectors. The connections to the arm rest forms and providing a geometrically rigid and robust sofa frame that is weighs less, is quicker to assemble, and is more robust. The finishing of the sofa is also quicker and easier than conventional sofas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson