Patents Examined by Shin H Kim
  • Air duct for ventilation seat and ventilation seat having same for vehicle
    Patent number: 11433790
    Abstract: The present invention includes: an upper surface provided with a plurality of air outlets; a lower surface provided with an air inlet, and configured such that corners thereof are attached to corners of the upper surface to form an air passage; and a spacer provided on at least one of the lower surface and the upper surface to extend toward the other surface. According to the present invention, it is possible to uniformly discharge incoming air to a seat of a vehicle and to minimize the discomfort experienced by a vehicle occupant, thereby providing a comfortable ride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Ki-Yeong Noh
  • System, apparatus, and method for supporting a user's body
    Patent number: 11432653
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing forming a housing cavity, an inflatable assembly attached to the housing, and a member attached to the inflatable assembly. When the inflatable assembly is deflated, the inflatable assembly is configured to be disposed in the housing cavity with the housing cavity covered by the member. When the inflatable assembly is inflated, the inflatable assembly extends away from the housing, the inflated inflatable assembly disposed between the housing and the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Gormeley, Thomas Travers
  • Lower back and posture support device
    Patent number: 11432654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spine orienting device for integration into a variety of types of seats, for example, automotive seats or office type seating, in order to properly position the sacrum of the individual using the seat, which in turn will properly pivot the pelvis to assist in maintaining the spine in equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: INTER-FACE MEDICAL LLC
    Inventors: Brock M. Walker, John Aldrich
  • Folding mechanism and foldable chair with the same
    Patent number: 11432651
    Abstract: A folding mechanism includes a pivot seat unit and at least three support units disposed about an axial line and pivotally connected to the pivot seat unit. Each of the support units includes a support rod. Rotation of any one of the support rods of the support units relative to the pivot seat unit drives an adjacent one of the support rods to rotate, such that when any one of the support rods is rotated relative to the pivot seat unit, the other support rods are in turn driven to rotate relative to the pivot seat unit so as to convert the support units between a folded state and an unfolded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: STEP2GOLD CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Ting Pao
  • Vehicle seat headrest equipped with audio speaker units
    Patent number: 11433794
    Abstract: A headrest for a vehicle seat, comprising a support configured to receive and support the head of a seat occupant, and, connected to said support, at least one speaker system comprising: a speaker unit comprising a loudspeaker received in an airtight housing, a guide system for guiding the speaker unit relative to the support of the headrest, said guide system being configured so that the speaker unit can transition from a first usage position to a second usage position, and vice versa, the transition from the first usage position to the second usage position, and vice versa, corresponding to a movement combining a translation of the speaker unit and a rotation of the speaker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventor: Stéphane Soltner
  • Collapsible chair
    Patent number: 11426001
    Abstract: This invention will provide a lightweight, portable device which will be adjustable and can be used outdoors in all types of environments. The device can be configured into multiple shapes for extra utility while the device is used. For instance, the user can lie flat on the device as well as form the device into a chair. Other features that may be incorporated into the device include a storage compartment, a cell phone compartment, and an air conditioner and the ability for more than one person to use the device. In some of the embodiments the device can be used by two people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: John Tolbert
  • Suspension fabric seat cooling system
    Patent number: 11427116
    Abstract: A seat and cooling system for the seat include a porous seat surface, an air spacer disposed on a side of the seat surface that defines an air channel, a substantially air impermeable barrier having an opening therein in communication with the air channel and a blower configured to draw air through the seat surface and from the air channel. Air drawn from around an occupant on the seat surface draws moisture from the occupant, causing moisture to evaporate, to provide a cooling sensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Martin Oomen, Randy James Sayers, Samuel Smith, Manfred Mueller
  • Panel assembly with molded foam backing
    Patent number: 11427117
    Abstract: A seat trim cover having a 3-dimensional shape for an automotive vehicle seat is formed by pre-cutting a laminate blank into a predefined shape having a predefined selvage extending around an outer periphery of the laminate blank, vacuum forming the laminate blank in a 3-dimensional mold to form a 3-dimensional laminate blank, and forming a molded foam backing on the 3-dimensional shaped laminate blank to form the seat trim cover. The molded foam backing has an outer perimeter that is spaced apart from the predefined selvage such that the predefined selvage is free of foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc
    Inventors: Eric Kozlowski, Craig Prasatek, Andrew M Vivian, Rene Chauvin, Daniel Wyatt
  • Photoluminescent identifier system for firefighting equipment
    Patent number: 11430354
    Abstract: The present system provides a lightweight fire-resistant photoluminescent identifier system for firefighters, which is suitable for use on the firefighter's facemask, as well as other equipment. The system is lightweight and provides individual recognition of an individual firefighter. The identifier system lights up automatically in a low-light environment without batteries, yet prevents glare to the firefighter using the system. The components that comprise the system are fire-resistant to temperatures up to and exceeding 500 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate personal recognition of the individual in dark and low-light areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: F.D. SIGNWORKS, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew J. Hyman
  • Cooling fan and seat cooling device comprising same
    Patent number: 11420544
    Abstract: Provided is a cooling fan including: a fan housing having an air inlet formed on a front surface thereof and through which air flows and an air outlet formed at a side surface of the fan housing and through which air is discharged; and an impeller mounted inside the fan housing to introduce air in an axial direction thereof and discharge air in a radial direction thereof, wherein a bypass passage is formed at an edge of the air inlet so that air flowing in a direction opposite to the air outlet can be discharged to the outside. At high power of a cooling fan, backward-flow air is discharged to the outside to minimize noise and improve blowing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: AMOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byung Soo Kim
  • Furniture and methods of storage
    Patent number: 11412855
    Abstract: Furniture configurable between a display configuration and a storage configuration that eases transport and storage and reduces the furniture footprint. The furniture includes an upper region that has seating and a backrest, and a lower region that is below the upper region and adapted to engage a support surface beneath the furniture when in the display configuration. In combination, the upper and lower regions define at least first and second sections of the furniture that are coupled by at least one hinge so that the first section comprises a first portion of the upper region and a first portion of the lower region and the second section comprises a second portion of the upper region and a second portion of the lower region, and the at least one hinge is configured so that the first and second sections pivot toward each other when the furniture is in the storage configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Tong Jin Kim, Henry James Hathaway, Alexander M. Rockhold, Fernando Herrera
  • Recliner or lift and recliner chair with variable lift profile
    Patent number: 11412853
    Abstract: A recliner or lift and recliner chair is provided having a recline or lift and recline chair mechanism with preferably with at least one recline or lift-recline actuator that controls a reclining movement or a lifting and reclining movement. The chair mechanism has a recline or lift-recline base, a seat and a back connected thereto. For additional functionality, a cradle assembly is provided in order to provide a cradling movement to the recline or lift-recline base. The cradle assembly includes pivot connections between recline or lift-recline base and the cradle base. A cradle actuator is connected between the cradle base and the recline or lift-recline base. A controller is provided that controls movement of the cradle actuator and preferably at least one recline or lift-recline actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Golden Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Kiwak, James Olcheski, James M. Kosco, W. Edward Pollard
  • Iron sofa frame structure, sofa and production method thereof
    Patent number: 11406191
    Abstract: Provided is an iron sofa frame structure provided with a base, two supporting plates oppositely disposed, configured to support a soft package and be connected with a sofa fabric and two driving link sets respectively configured to connect the two supporting plates to the base, wherein a front rod and a rear rod are correspondingly disposed at intervals between the two supporting plates, and several elastic bearing pieces for bearing the soft package are disposed between the front rod and the rear rod. The supporting assembly is directly combined to the iron sofa frame structure, so that a structure in which an additional seat-wrapped frame is introduced to support the soft package is rejected, an existing iron sofa frame structure and a production process of an iron sofa frame are simplified, the assembling and production efficiencies are increased, materials are saved, and the cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Remacro Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weiming Chen, Xiaohong Li
  • Recliner with extending stabilizer arms
    Patent number: 11406190
    Abstract: A reclining chair or the like provides a set of base-mounted extendable arms that move forward as the chair reclines, and the leg rest extends to brace the chair against forward tipping, for example, if weight is applied to the leg rest without the counterbalance of an occupant. When the leg rest retracts, the arms pull back to reduce tripping hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Direct Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Jakubowski
  • Vehicle seat
    Patent number: 11400841
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a first heater which heats a first region, a second heater which heats a second region different from the first region, and a controller connected to the first heater and the second heater. The controller is capable of executing PWM control under which current applied to the first heater and the second heater is regulated by setting current-application timeframes within a unit time period, wherein a first current-application timeframe that is a period within the unit time period in which current is applied to the first heater and a second current-application timeframe that is a period within the unit time period in which current is applied to the second heater, as set under the PWM control, are shifted relative to each other when current is applied to the first heater and the second heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Sato, Takayoshi Ito
  • Foldable support and related methods
    Patent number: 11399631
    Abstract: A foldable support may include a top support and a bottom support. At least one hinged connection may connect the top support to the bottom support. The hinged connection may move the top support relative to the bottom support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: 17B EHF
    Inventors: Hallgrimur Skuli Hafsteinsson, Hafsteinn Jonasson
  • Ventilation mat
    Patent number: 11396249
    Abstract: A ventilation mat according to the present invention includes: a ventilation mat body; and an ventilation guide with a fan attachment hole provided at one end thereof, and the other end of the ventilation guide being connected to a connection hole provided on a side surface of the ventilation mat body, in which the ventilation mat body includes: a first base material having an air-permeable three-dimensional structure; an air-permeable cover configured to cover a surface of the first first base material; a side barrier configured to cover an outer periphery of the first base material other than the connection hole, the side barrier having an air permeability lower than that of the air-permeable cover; and an opening surface that is surrounded by the side barrier and exposes the first base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: KURABE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norishige Morishita, Hiroya Takeda, Hirotaka Fujii
  • Drive mechanism
    Patent number: 11395549
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for an article of adjustable furniture, the drive mechanism having support sections, the support sections including a first support section and a second support section, an actuator mechanism, and at least one connecting mechanism, the at least one connecting mechanism includes a first arm pivotally connected to the first support section, and a second arm pivotally connected to the second support section, the first arm being pivotally connected to the second arm, in which the actuator mechanism is drivingly connected to the second support section to effect concertina-like movement between the first arm and the second arm to move the second support section relative to the first support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: EEVOLV LTD
    Inventors: Paul Brown, Dale Robertson
  • Seat with automatic tilting
    Patent number: 11390190
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that includes a support intended to be rigidly fixed to the frame of a vehicle, a seating portion, a backrest extending the rear end of the seating portion, and a connecting mechanism which connects the seating portion to the support. The connecting mechanism has a primary mechanism which allows forward tilting of the seating portion and backrest relative to the support between a rest position and a forward-tilted position. The seat includes a first motor able to tilt the seating portion from its rest position to its tilted position, and a control member for the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Farouk Bouzid, David Epaud
  • Seating module for a seat
    Patent number: 11390199
    Abstract: A seating module for a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, may have at least a substantially air-permeable upholstery part. The upholstery part is substantially configured to let air-flow pass through horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Bethany M. Scott, David B. Bakker, Eric Bernard Michalak