Patents Examined by Timothy J Brindley
  • Patent number: 11365010
    Abstract: A passenger seat includes a seat frame, a plurality of legs extending down from the seat frame where each of the plurality of legs includes an upper end attached to the seat frame and a lower end, and at least one tube attached to the lower end of at least one of the plurality of legs. The at least one tube includes at least two attachments to a floor structure. The at least one tube includes at least one bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignees: Safran Seats USA LLC, Safran
    Inventors: Reza Mansouri, Romain Tranier, Charles Michael Parker, Arthur Glain
  • Patent number: 11358723
    Abstract: Described are passenger seats (102) having a seat bottom (122) connected to the seat frame (108) at a hinge (130) at an aft portion of the seat bottom (122), and having a release mechanism (132) operably connected with the seat bottom (122) that, when actuated by a user, cause the seat bottom (122) to be released from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration, whereby the seat bottom (122) is free to rotate downward, independent of a seat back (142), about the hinge (130) to a tilted position in order to increase a range of available angles between the seat bottom (122) and seat back (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Ruiz Lara, Arthur Glain
  • Patent number: 11352144
    Abstract: A central frame assembly for a passenger seat of a vehicle includes a spreader member (201) and a lower frame member (101) comprising at least one clamp member (121) for securing the lower frame member (101) relative to the spreader member (201). The lower frame member (101) may include a vertical portion (102) with a forward lower attachment portion (102.1) and an aft portion (103) with an aft lower attachment portion (103.1). The spreader member (201) and the lower frame member (101) may be aligned such that a centerline of the spreader member (201) and a centerline of the lower frame member (101) are approximately coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Justin K. Murnan, Christopher D. Stewart
  • Patent number: 11338715
    Abstract: An automotive head restraint apparatus includes a housing having a padded and upholstered exterior, the housing being rotatable about a lateral support tube that supports a lock plate having a lobe extending radially with a detent slot extending therein. A latch finger extends from a pivotable lock lever plate to releasably engage in the detent slot to latch the housing in the deployed position. A pull rod is secured to the lock lever plate, and is connected to a release lever arm at its other end. A shape memory alloy (SMA) wire loop is passed about a drive pulley that is supported by a reciprocally translatable slide. A drive arm extends from the slide to impinge on the release lever and raise the pull rod when the SMA wire loop is energized and contracted, thereby releasing the latch finger to rotate the housing to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Gummin, Mark Leonard Little
  • Patent number: 11338708
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a seat height adjustment device for adjusting the height of a seat cushion in relation to a seat frame, in particular, an upper rail, the seat height adjustment device comprising an actuating device, which may be, in particular, an electric motor, with a toothed pinion driven by the actuating device, and a toothed gear rack, the toothed gear rack comprising a hinge end for hinging onto the vehicle seat, and a front end including a gear rod region engaging with the toothed pinion, for adjusting the hinge end upon rotation of the toothed pinion. The present disclosure provides that the toothed gear rack is hot forged, the toothed gear rack comprises, between the hinge end and the gear rod region, a reinforced region, and the reinforced region comprises a profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Hosen Sulaiman, Heinz-Werner Dettmer, Markus Schenke, Jens Witt
  • Patent number: 11332050
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seat rotatable about an axis of rotation disposed at a front of the seat between a sitting position and a standing position, a latch assembly rotatably coupled to the rear of the seat and releasably coupled to a track assembly disposed below the seat, wherein if the seat is in a sitting position, the latch assembly is in a locked position relative to the track assembly, and wherein if the seat is in a standing position, the latch assembly is in an unlocked position relative to the track assembly, and a connecting bar extending through the latch assembly, wherein the latch assembly is rotatable around the connecting bar as the seat moves between the sitting position and the standing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Jung Jeon
  • Patent number: 11332041
    Abstract: A seat module for a motor vehicle that includes a carrier element having at least one seat row upon which at least two seats are secured. Each seat row has walls defining an opening which is accessible from outside of the motor vehicle and which extends laterally as a hollow space into the carrier element. The walls are fixed at least partially peripherally to facilitate raising of the seat module via introduction of a lifting element from outside of the motor vehicle into the hollow space for installation of the seat module into the motor vehicle or removal of the seat module from the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Manuel Erlacher, Franz Planka, Martin Rodler, Harald Zachnegger
  • Patent number: 11332048
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat frame having an opening in a plate-shaped part, and an actuator mounted on the plate-shaped part. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that further contributes to quietness in the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Inose, Kensuke Mizoi
  • Patent number: 11333294
    Abstract: A gaming chair assembly with modular multi-monitor mount system that includes a monitor framing assembly couplable to a modular gaming chair frame assembly, wherein the monitor framing assembly includes a plurality of tubular framing elements selectively coupled together and include a lower leg support frame coupled to the modular gaming chair frame assembly and a central, left, and right monitor frame elements with two substantially parallel sections flanking and defining a central channel. The central monitor frame element may include a left and a right central hinge member selectively, translatably, lockably, and telescopically coupled to the central monitor frame element. The monitor frame elements include screen support bracket frame elements selectively, translatably, and lockably coupled to the two substantially parallel sections and include electronic display brackets thereto to enable adjustment and support for multiple electronic displays relative to the modular gaming chair frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: HOME RACER LLC
    Inventor: Dimitar Pavlov
  • Patent number: 11325668
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shock-absorbing seat tube, including an outer tube and an inner tube sleeved within the outer tube. The inner tube is adapted for connection to a bicycle saddle from below through a joint. The seat tube is provided with a height adjustment device having a supporting end inserted into the inner tube, and a shock-absorbing device disposed in the inner tube at a position above the height adjustment device and includes a fixing part and a damper part. The fixing part passes at its top end through the inwardly protruded portion of the inner tube and is arranged in the barrel portion of the inner tube. The damper part is arranged between the inwardly protruded portion and the supporting end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: HSIN LUNG ACCESSORIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xue-Sen Liao
  • Patent number: 11325510
    Abstract: In order to make it possible to deal with the states of a seatback from an upright state to a fully reclined state without degrading performance of blowing air from a fan, attached to a seat cushion-side, toward the seatback-side, this vehicle seat having an air conditioning function, is configured to be provided with: an air conditioning fan; fan side piping which is connected with the fan; and seat cushion or seatback side piping which is connected with an air flow passage formed in the seat cushion or the seatback, wherein the fan side piping and the seat cushion or seatback side piping are coupled together slidably in a state where an end of one is partially inserted into an end of the other, and at least one piping of either the fan side pining or the seat cushion or seatback side piping is equipped with a bellows structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Arata, Takao Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 11325711
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a seat unit structure, a seat unit, and an attachment method thereof in which component reinstallation does not arise when the seat unit is attached in an aircraft. One representative seat unit structure according to the present invention relates to a seat unit structure configured to support a seat, wherein the structure has a lower structure having a monocoque structure and defines an outermost shell in at least one direction of the seat unit. That is, the member mounted in the one direction of the seat unit can be stored inside the outermost shell of the structure. In addition, the one direction is the width direction of the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: JAMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaji Ozaki, Michihito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11325509
    Abstract: A seat comprises: a seat cushion including a first mesh; a seat extension configured to move into a closed position and an extended position relative to the seat cushion, the seat extension including a second mesh; a first conduit forming a first air channel between the first and second meshes in the closed and extended positions; and a fan configured to draw air from the first and second meshes using the first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventors: Virat Panchani, Ardavan Aliabadi
  • Patent number: 11325669
    Abstract: A bicycle adjustable seatpost includes a seatpost assembly, connecting base, telescopic cylinder, and control assembly. The cylinder of telescopic cylinder is connected to outer tube of seatpost assembly. The piston rod of telescopic cylinder is connected to inner tube of seatpost assembly and divides cylinder into first and second chambers. The connecting base is connected to saddle and has a motor chamber. The control assembly includes a motor including a cam and an actuation rod. The motor is in the motor chamber; the actuation rod is in the seatpost assembly and one end thereof extends into the motor chamber; the cam abuts against the actuation rod. When the cam is driven by the motor to rotate, the actuation rod reciprocates along axis thereof to connect or block the chambers. When the chambers are connected, the seatpost assembly length and saddle height can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei-Kong Sheng
  • Patent number: 11318863
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat body configured to seat an occupant; a pressing mechanism that is provided at the seat body and is switchable between a pressing state, in which the pressing mechanism presses against the pelvis of a seated occupant, and a non-pressing state, in which the pressing mechanism does not press against the pelvis of a seated occupant; and a control section configured to control the pressing mechanism, in a state in which an occupant is sitting on the seat body, so as to alternate repeatedly between the pressing state and the non-pressing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Donghyoun Kim, Katsutoshi Imanari
  • Patent number: 11318872
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat back frame. A bracket is provided with a substrate welded to the seat back frame. Two pairs of sidewalls extend from the substrate and are tapered with an enlarged region at an upper distal end. A pair of support plates are each supported by one of the two pairs of sidewalls and spaced apart from the substrate to provide a mounting surface. A pair of spaced apart tubes are each welded to the bracket mounting surface of one of the pair of support plates. A pair of head restraint posts are each received in one of the pair of tubes. A head restraint is supported upon the pair of head restraint posts, so that upon a rear vehicle impact, the bracket deforms as the pair of head restraint posts are translated toward the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Pistilli, Florian Gerbl, Mathias Busch, Alexej Niederhaus, Michael Schuhbauer, Arunkumar Boda, Tino Schneider, Rajdeep Rajput
  • Patent number: 11318870
    Abstract: A seat back frame for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a frame body consisting of a thermoplastic fiber reinforced composite material; a reinforcing agent joined to the inside of the frame body; and a cover sheet joined to the outside of the frame body. According to the present invention, the frame is lightweight while maintaining rigidity and strength like a steel frame, and a cover sheet is joined thereto, thereby enabling a board which is further joined to the seat back frame to be omitted, which leads to the achievement of a slimmed and fabric-integrated seat back frame for a vehicle. Also, a cover sheet is joined to a body frame by using a vacuum adsorption scheme, which leads to the achievement of a method for manufacturing a seat back frame for a vehicle having improved joining force and increased merchantability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: LG HAUSYS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyoung-Jun Moon, Sang-Hyeon Park, Yong-Kil Kil, Dong-Gwan Kim, Yong-Han Kang, Hee-June Kim, Eun-Guk Lee
  • Patent number: 11312278
    Abstract: Provided is a support device including a flexible air-tight membrane, defining an internal volume and including a connection valve configured to allow introduction or extraction of air into/from the internal volume, and a compressible solid body housed in the internal volume and made of a material which, when said membrane is placed under vacuum, has a volume that decreases by at least 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOSCANA GOMMA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Mazzucchelli
  • Patent number: 11312268
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat having a seat back that can be folded forward, in which the buckle is prevented from interfering with the seat hack when the seat back is folded forward. A seat cushion frame (F1) rotatably attached to the seat back frame (F2) includes a pair of side frames (11) extending in a fore and aft direction, a front frame (12) extending between front parts of the side frames, and a rear frame (13) extending between rear parts of the side frames and provided with a curved portion (13A) protruding forward in a middle part thereof. A buckle support arm is located behind the curved portion, the curved portion being dimensioned so as not to interfere with the buckle when the buckle support arm is in a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Miyazaki, Shigekazu Otake
  • Patent number: 11305677
    Abstract: A vehicle seat device includes an SB main frame that is joined to a seat cushion via a reclining shaft; an SB subframe that is swingable with respect to the SB main frame at least about a roll axis; a backrest that is installed on the SB subframe; and a lower support wire and an upper support wire that limit rearward movement of the SB subframe and allow movement of the SB subframe about the roll axis. A straight line connecting between the front end and the rear end of the lower support wire is inclined with respect to a normal line so as to rise toward the front, the normal line being normal to a straight line connecting between an upper end of the SB main frame and the reclining shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nagai, Kohshi Katoh, Koki Kunugi, Ayumu Takeda, Masatoshi Hada