Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for use with a vehicle includes a seat cushion frame adapted to be installed in the vehicle. An energy managing support bracket is attached to the seat cushion frame, and a recliner mechanism is attached to the support bracket. The assembly also includes a seat back frame connected to the recliner mechanism such that the seat back frame is pivotable with respect to the seat cushion frame. Furthermore, the support bracket is configured to attenuate energy associated with a rear impact to the vehicle when the assembly is installed in the vehicle, so as to inhibit rebound of the seat back frame.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a lift system 12 for a rocker recliner comprising a rocker limiter 28 and a plurality of chair base lifts 40 which can be retrofitted to existing rocker recliners. The rocker limiter 28 is a device having an arcuate face 29 whereby the device can be fixedly positioned to the rocker cam 30 or rocker base 22 limiting the movement of the rocker mechanism in one direction. The chair base lifts 40 are a plurality of interlocking blocks or a single block that are engagingly positioned beneath the chair support base 26 to raise the rocker recliner by a distance determined by the number and thickness of chair height lifts positioned thereunder.

Abstract: A head restraint pivot latch for a seat assembly allowing pivotal adjustment of a head restraint relative to a seat back. A base member is pivotally assembled to the seat back allowing movement of the head restraint between a use position and a folded position. A first bracket having an index slot is fixedly assembled to the base member. A second bracket having a locking slot defining the use position extends between a proximal end pivotally assembled to the base member and a distal end fixedly secured to the seat back. A button having a tang and a tang slot is movable between the use position, with the tang extending through both the index slot of the first bracket and the locking slot of the second bracket, and a released position with the second bracket slidably engaged within the tang slot, allowing pivotal movement of the head restraint between the two positions.

Abstract: An articulated footrest assembly for a seating unit comprises a footrest member moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, a telescopic linkage for extending and retracting the footrest member between the retracted and extended positions, and an actuating linkage. The footrest member comprises proximal and distal portions while the telescopic linkage comprises a stationary support member mounted to the seating unit, a first telescoping arm, and a second telescoping arm. The first telescoping arm has a distal end connected to the proximal portion of the footrest member through a first pivot. The second telescoping arm has a distal end connected to the footrest member between the proximal and distal portions through a second pivot spaced apart from the first pivot. The actuating linkage comprises a first linkage portion interposed between the stationary support member and the first telescoping arm and a second linkage portion interposed between the first and second telescoping arms.

Abstract: A synchrotilt chair mechanism and a chair are provided. The synchrotilt chair mechanism is for use on a chair that has a base assembly with an extending pedestal, a seat and a back. The mechanism includes a chassis that is coupled to the pedestal and a seat plate that is coupled to the chassis and to the chair seat. The seat plate can slide relative to the chassis. The mechanism further includes a back support bar that is coupled on one end to the chassis. The support bar extends upwardly from the chassis. A pair of arm supports are further included that can be coupled to the chair. Each arm support extends upwardly adjacent one side of the chair seat. The mechanism further includes a back bracket having a pair of ends that extend adjacent a side of the chair. Each end is pivotally coupled to the adjacent arm support. The back bracket further includes a guide plate that mounts to the chair back and that has at least one guide slot.

Abstract: A molded unit is installable upon a bicycle between the existing seat and the handlebars and provides a passenger with a safe and convenient position to ride on the bicycle. The placement of the unit on the bicycle is adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of different passengers. Spacer members, either formed on the unit or provided separately, provide for a proper spacing of the device when installed on standard bicycles. A seat portion provides a contoured seat for the passenger while opposing foot pegs provide for a safe placement of the feet of the passenger. The foot pegs have end stops and a ribbed surface to prevent the feet of the passenger from inadvertently slipping off of the foot pegs. A long securing bolt extends entirely through the foot pegs to reinforce and otherwise strengthen the foot pegs.

Abstract: A booster seat having a body including a seat back and a seat pan for supporting an occupant thereon and an adjustable thigh support coupled to the seat pan and being movable closer to or further away from the seat pan. The booster seat further includes a pair of adjustable arm rests coupled to the body, each arm rest being located on opposed sides of the body and being pivotable about an axis that extends generally transverse to the body. The booster seat includes a pair of head rests coupled to the seat back, each head rest being located on opposed sides of the seat back and being pivotable about an axis that extends generally along the height of the body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seat back includes placing a steel support structure within a mold and blow-molding a hollow plastic body onto the steel support structure to form a seat back with the steel support structure integrally supported within the body. The steel support structure may be a hollow, U-shaped steel tube having first and second attachment features at distal ends thereof for attachment to a lower seat structure.

Abstract: A combined chair and object support for video equipment, telescopes, drawing boards and the like, includes a chair leg assembly, a seat member, an upright support post and a linking member. The chair leg assembly has an upper leg end, and a lower leg end opposite to the upper leg end and adapted to be placed on a ground surface. The seat member is mounted on the upper leg end of the chair leg assembly. The upright support post is adapted for mounting an object removably thereon. The linking member is formed with a first coupling end connected to the seat member, and a second coupling end connected to the support post, thereby forming a horizontal spacing between the seat member and the support post in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and seat back which are movable to provide access to a third row seat. The seat bottom is movable between a seating position, wherein the seat bottom is in a generally horizontal position for supporting an occupant seated on the seat assembly, and a forward position. In the forward position, the seat bottom is in a generally vertical position such that a rear edge of the seat bottom is positioned above a front edge of the seat bottom. The seat assembly also includes a seat back movable between a seating position, wherein the seat back is in a generally vertical position for supporting an occupant seated on the seat assembly, and a second position. In the second position, the seat back is positioned upwardly and forwardly relative to the seating position of the seat back.

Abstract: A pivoting armrest assembly for a seating unit includes an armrest support having first and second outer flanges and a center rib, wherein the flanges and the rib define a pair of laterally spaced channels. An arm is pivotally attached to the arm support and has first and second outer ribs that are spaced apart from one another. The pivot attachment is designed to eliminate looseness and bias the arm to one side. When the arm rotates from a vertical to a horizontal position, the first and second outer ribs substantially fill the pair of channels and the center rib intermeshes with the outer ribs, thus eliminating voids and creating a no-pinch condition. The arm and arm support have curved interfacing surfaces that create a self-clearing effect to prevent pinching between a bottom surface of the arm and a front surface of the arm support during rotation of the arm.

Abstract: A child car seat (10) has a belt insertion opening (13) having inlets at opposite side surfaces thereof to receive a seat belt (16) inserted therethrough, and has an aperture (14) opening to the front surface thereof to provide access to the belt insertion opening (13). A belt locking apparatus (20) is disposed inside the belt insertion opening (13) to be handled through the aperture (14). The belt locking apparatus (20) includes a base (21) secured inside the belt insertion opening (13), and a lock arm (22) disposed for rotation relative to the base (21) to receive the seat belt (16) therein when the lock arm (22) is opened, and to clamp the seat belt (16) between the lock arm (22) and the base (21) when the lock arm (22) is closed.

Abstract: A leg rest and a seat back are rotatably mounted at the front and rear of a seat cushion of a passenger seat respectively, and a footrest is mounted on the leg rest in such a manner that it can be extended and retracted. Adjustment of the angle of the seat back and the leg rest and positioning of the footrest are performed using a seat back actuator, a leg rest actuator, and a footrest actuator. A proximity sensor is provided at the end of the footrest, wherein, when the proximity sensor detects that the footrest is approaching an obstacle, downward rotation of the leg rest is stopped and the footrest is moved backward. When the leg rest or the footrest is moved, the interference of the obstacle such as a baggage with the footrest can reliably be prevented.

Abstract: A controlling device for a support pivotally mounted on top of a stool includes a housing adapted to securely engage with a bottom face of the support, two pawls pivotally received in the housing, a wedge and control knob connected to the wedge and a ratchet gear received in the housing. After either one of the pawls is activated, the activated pawl is able to selectively engage with the ratchet gear so that the support is able to pivot in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A retractable seat cover for providing temporary protection to a seat, such as an automotive seat or piece of furniture, includes a housing, a roll of fabric, a retraction mechanism, and a strap. The housing may have a slit for enabling the fabric to be extended from or retracted into the housing through the slit, or may have a support arm and end brackets for supporting the fabric therebetween. The fabric, which may be waterproof, moisture repellent, have anti-bacterial properties, have anti-slip properties, or combinations thereof for providing additional protection to the seat, is used to cover the upholstery of the seat. The retraction mechanism includes a spring roller mechanism for controlling rotation of the roll of fabric. The strap is coupled to a top portion of the fabric and is used to secure the seat cover to the seat.

Abstract: A unique system of form-fitting, reversible, partial slipcovers adapted to fit numerous upholstered chairs, two-seat sofas and three-seat sofas. The slipcovers are designed and manufactured to be easily installed, reversed and removed for cleaning. A set of slipcovers for any of the above pieces of furniture consists of a pair of arm covers, one to three seat cushion covers and one to three back cushion covers. All the slipcovers employ a dual-fabric construction allowing the slipcovers to be quickly and easily reversed for a multitude of decor changes.

Abstract: A leg rest and a seat back are rotatably mounted at the front and the back of a sea cushion of a motor-driven seat, respectively. A foot rest is mounted on the leg rest so that it can be extended and retreated. Motor-driven actuators each having a potentiometer are individually connected to them. The motor-driven actuators are controlled by a controller in response to an input of an operation switch, based on a position determined by the potentiometer, and in accordance with a predetermined reference position, thereby adjusting the angles and the positions of the seat parts. The motor-driven actuator is temporarily moved to the end of the stroke, so that limit switches are activated, and the reference position is adjusted based on the position determined by the potentiometer, thereby significantly reducing the amount of adjustment work.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a reconfigurable chair for home or restaurant use for supporting a toddler or small child in a sitting position or an infant in an infant carrier.

Abstract: A retractable seat cover for providing temporary protection to a seat, such as an automotive seat or piece of furniture, includes a housing, a roll of fabric, a retraction mechanism, and a strap. The housing has a slit for enabling the fabric to be extended from the housing through the slit or be retracted into the housing through the slit. The fabric, which may be waterproof, moisture repellent and/or have anti-bacterial properties for providing additional protection to the seat, is used to cover the upholstery of the seat. The retraction mechanism includes a spring roller mechanism and a button for controlling rotation of the roll of fabric. The strap is attached to a top portion of the fabric and is used to secure the seat cover to the seat, such as a headrest of an automobile or the top of a piece of furniture.

Abstract: A locking/unlocking mechanism for headrest, provided in a headrest holder in which a headrest stay of the headrest is slidably inserted, which comprises: a lock element having a hole; a biasing element; and an unlocking hole formed in the headrest holder. The lock element is movable between a locking position for engagement with a stopper notch formed in the headrest stay and an unlocking position for disengagement from the stopper notch. The lock element is normally biased by the biasing means in a direction to the locking position. When the lock element is set in the unlocking position, an unlocking tool can be inserted in the unlocking hole of headrest holder and engaged in the hole of lock element so as to retain he lock element in the unlocking position, whereby the headrest can be easily removed from the headrest holder.