Patents by Inventor Masaaki Honda

Masaaki Honda has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8678505
    Abstract: A seat cushion of vehicle seat including a seat cushion frame and a bottom panel member on which a foam padding is mounted. The bottom panel member has a thigh support area fixed to a forward portion of the seat cushion frame and a buttocks support area situated in a rearward portion of the seat cushion frame. The buttocks support area has a resiliently deformable area in which are formed beads, each being resiliently stretchable laterally relative to the central line thereof by a downward load applied to the buttocks support area, whereby the resiliently deformable area is rendered deformable and displaceable downwardly. The buttocks support area may be made narrow by forming two inwardly curved edge portions in the respective sides thereof to thereby allow that buttocks support area to be warped downwardly. Hence, the buttocks support area is resiliently displaceable vertically relative to the seat cushion frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8469446
    Abstract: A shoulder receiving portion is defined in each of two lateral frame members of seat back framework of vehicle seat in order to receive two shoulder portions of seat occupant in the case of rear-end collision, prior to a seat occupant's back portion being moved close to an upper frame member of the seat back framework. The shoulder receiving portion is therefore arranged in an upper region of each of the two lateral frame members so as to project forwardly from a plane where the two lateral frame members lie, and the upper frame member is formed in substantially “inverted-U” shape and inclined backwardly distant from the two lateral frame members, This arrangement avoids unpleasant pressed touch to be given to the seat occupant's back portion in the case of rear-end collision and may prevent a great impact from being imparted to vertebrae of the seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8465092
    Abstract: In an upper frame member of seat back framework, an upward-slippage prevention portion is simply defined to prevent a seat occupant's back portion from being slipped or dislocated on and along a seat back in the case of rear-end collision. The upward-slippage prevention portion has a sloped region for receiving the seat occupant's back portion which is to be slipped or dislocated on and along the seat back under inertia when a rear-end collision occurs and thereby preventing an undesired upward slippage or dislocation of that seat occupant's back portion which will result in damage of his or her neck or cervical vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8414055
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, including two links movable for adjustment in height of the seat, is provided with a reinforcing transmission shaft. The reinforcing transmission shaft is rotatably connected between two frame members of seat cushion frame in the seat, while extending through the two links. Further, two pinions are fixed on the respective two end portions of the reinforcing transmission shaft and respectively meshed with two gear portions defined in the respective two links. With such arrangement, in the case of rear-end collision, most of great load applied to the links is transmitted, via the reinforcing transmission shaft, pinions and gear portions, to each of the two frame members, thereby preventing deformation of one of the two links to avoid lowering of the seat or inclination of one side of the seat as found in a rear-end collision case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8371758
    Abstract: Each of an outer ring, an inner ring, and a ball is a rolling contact member formed of a ?-sialon sintered body inexpensive, capable of reliably ensuring sufficient durability, and capable of being used in an application where an imposed load is changed abruptly. The sintered body contains as a main component ?-sialon represented by a compositional formula of Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z and satisfying 0.1?z?3.5, and has a remainder formed of an impurity. The rolling contact member has a Young's modulus of 180 GPa or greater but 270 GPa or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Muramatsu, Masaaki Honda, Hikaru Ishida, Nobuyuki Ninoyu
  • Publication number: 20120181825
    Abstract: A shoulder receiving portion is defined in each of two lateral frame members of seat back framework of vehicle seat in order to receive two shoulder portions of seat occupant in the case of rear-end collision, prior to a seat occupant's back portion being moved close to an upper frame member of the seat back framework. The shoulder receiving portion is therefore arranged in an upper region of each of the two lateral frame members so as to project forwardly from a plane where the two lateral frame members lie, and the upper frame member is formed in substantially “inverted-U” shape and inclined backwardly distant from the two lateral frame members, This arrangement avoids unpleasant pressed touch to be given to the seat occupant's back portion in the case of rear-end collision and may prevent a great impact from being imparted to vertebrae of the seat occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji KANDA, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Publication number: 20120153702
    Abstract: A seat cushion of vehicle seat including a seat cushion frame and a bottom panel member on which a foam padding is mounted. The bottom panel member has a thigh support area fixed to a forward portion of the seat cushion frame and a buttocks support area situated in a rearward portion of the seat cushion frame. The buttocks support area has a resiliently deformable area in which are formed beads, each being resiliently stretchable laterally relative to the central line thereof by a downward load applied to the buttocks support area, whereby the resiliently deformable area is rendered deformable and displaceable downwardly. The buttocks support area may be made narrow by forming two inwardly curved edge portions in the respective sides thereof to thereby allow that buttocks support area to be warped downwardly. Hence, the buttocks support area is resiliently displaceable vertically relative to the seat cushion frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Publication number: 20120153658
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, including two links movable for adjustment in height of the seat, is provided with a reinforcing transmission shaft. The reinforcing transmission shaft is rotatably connected between two frame members of seat cushion frame in the seat, while extending through the two links. Further, two pinions are fixed on the respective two end portions of the reinforcing transmission shaft and respectively meshed with two gear portions defined in the respective two links. With such arrangement, in the case of rear-end collision, most of great load applied to the links is transmitted, via the reinforcing transmission shaft, pinions and gear portions, to each of the two frame members, thereby preventing deformation of one of the two links to avoid lowering of the seat or inclination of one side of the seat as found in a rear-end collision case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8128147
    Abstract: Vehicle seat including a link for raising and lowering the seat and a tilt pan disposed forwardly of seat cushion frame of the seat. Rotatably provided to the seat cushion frame is an actuator link having: one end portion pivoted to the tilt pan; and another end portion formed with sector gear portion and arcuate hole. A pin for supporting a gear case having a pinion meshed with the sector gear portion is fixed to the seat cushion frame. Such pin is used with both of the link and actuator link, in common. Namely, an upper end portion of the link and the afore-said another end portion of actuator link are collectively disposed at that pin so as to overlap each other, and the upper end portion of link is pivotally connected to the pin, whereas the pin passes through the arcuate hole of actuator link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Publication number: 20110215619
    Abstract: In an upper frame member of seat back framework, an upward-slippage prevention portion is simply defined to prevent a seat occupant's back portion from being slipped or dislocated on and along a seat back in the case of rear-end collision. The upward-slippage prevention portion has a sloped region for receiving the seat occupant's back portion which is to be slipped or dislocated on and along the seat back under inertia when a rear-end collision occurs and thereby preventing an undesired upward slippage or dislocation of that seat occupant's back portion which will result in damage of his or her neck or cervical vertebrae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Publication number: 20100215305
    Abstract: Each of an outer ring, an inner ring, and a ball is a rolling contact member formed of a ?-sialon sintered body inexpensive, capable of reliably ensuring sufficient durability, and capable of being used in an application where an imposed load is changed abruptly. The sintered body contains as a main component ?-sialon represented by a compositional formula of Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z and satisfying 0.1?Z?3.5, and has a remainder formed of an impurity. The rolling contact member has a Young's modulus of 180 GPa or greater but 270 GPa or smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Muramatsu, Masaaki Honda, Hikaru Ishida, Nobuyuki Ninoyu
  • Patent number: 7354346
    Abstract: A torque limiter comprising an inner ring fitted inside an outer member; and a torque transmission member interposed between said inner ring and said outer member. A predetermined torque is generated by a friction generated between said inner ring and said torque transmission member, when said inner ring and said outer member rotate relatively to each other. The members are impregnated with lubricating oil to slide said members on each other. The lubricating oil contains a base oil consisting of synthetic saturated hydrocarbon oil having a kinematic viscosity of 500 to 1200 mm2/s at 40° C. and an emulsifier added to said base oil. The lubricating grease contains the base oil consisting of the synthetic saturated hydrocarbon oil having a kinematic viscosity of 500 to 1200 mm2/s at 40° C. and an emulsifier and a thickener both added to said base oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichi Takada, Masaaki Honda, Chikara Katagiri, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7318776
    Abstract: A spring-loaded torque limiter includes an annular outer member, an inner ring rotatably inserted in the annular outer member, a coil spring fitted on the radially outer surface of the inner ring, and a lid member fitted between the inner ring and the annular outer member, thereby closing a gap therebetween at one end of the annular outer member. The coil spring has a uniform diameter. The annular outer member has an axially inner end face formed with a protrusion adapted to engage one of the two end faces of the coil spring. The lid member has an axially inner surface formed with a protrusion adapted to engage the other end face of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Honda
  • Publication number: 20050282640
    Abstract: A torque limiter comprising an inner ring fitted inside an outer member; and a torque transmission member interposed between said inner ring and said outer member. A predetermined torque is generated by a friction generated between said inner ring and said torque transmission member, when said inner ring and said outer member rotate relatively to each other. The members are impregnated with lubricating oil to slide said members on each other. The lubricating oil contains a base oil consisting of synthetic saturated hydrocarbon oil having a kinematic viscosity of 500 to 1200 mm2/s at 40° C. and an emulsifier added to said base oil. The lubricating grease contains the base oil consisting of the synthetic saturated hydrocarbon oil having a kinematic viscosity of 500 to 1200 mm2/s at 40° C. and an emulsifier and a thickener both added to said base oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Seiichi Takada, Masaaki Honda, Chikara Katagiri, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20050261064
    Abstract: A spring-loaded torque limiter includes an annular outer member, an inner ring rotatably inserted in the annular outer member, a coil spring fitted on the radially outer surface of the inner ring, and a lid member fitted between the inner ring and the annular outer member, thereby closing a gap therebetween at one end of the annular outer member. The coil spring has a uniform diameter. The annular outer member has an axially inner end face formed with a protrusion adapted to engage one of the two end faces of the coil spring. The lid member has an axially inner surface formed with a protrusion adapted to engage the other end faces of the coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventor: Masaaki Honda
  • Patent number: 6793056
    Abstract: A one-way clutch is provided which has improved compactness. The one-way clutch comprises an inner member, an outer ring relatively rotatably mounted on the inner member, a rolling element mounted between the inner member and the outer ring, and a spring member for biasing the rolling element in one direction. A rolling element receiving portion having a predetermined wedge angle and a spring receiving portion communicating with the rolling element receiving portion are provided between the inner member and the outer ring. The spring member is received in the spring receiving portion, and the rolling element is received in the rolling element receiving portion and biased by the spring member toward the narrow side of the rolling element receiving portion. The inner member has a semi-columnar portion, which forms the rolling element receiving portion and the spring receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichi Takada, Masaaki Honda, Chiharu Ito
  • Patent number: 6673750
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricating composition such as a lubricant, a lubricating grease, or a rust preventive oil for use in a torque limiter and a ball-and-roller bearing; the lubricating composition having chemical attack resistance for a synthetic resin molded product. The lubricating composition comprises as a base oil at least one synthetic saturated hydrocarbon oil selected from the group consisting of a poly-&agr;-olefin, and an ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer. When a phosphoric acid ester is used as a compounding agent, or at lease one lubricating grease selected from the group consisting of an urea compound, silica powder, and bentonite powder is mixed therein, the lubricating composition is a rust preventive oil using a metal salt of sulfonic acid and the like. The lubricating composition is suitably used for machine parts of a business machine including the synthetic resin molded product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Hirata, Atsushi Morooka, Hidenobu Mikami, Toshiyuki Mizutani, Seiichi Takada, Masaaki Honda, Yoshihiko Oeda, Katsumi Nagano
  • Publication number: 20030060376
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricating composition such as a lubricant, a lubricating grease, or a rust preventive oil for use in a torque limiter and a ball-and-roller bearing; the lubricating composition having chemical attack resistance for a synthetic resin molded product. The lubricating composition comprises as a base oil at least one synthetic saturated hydrocarbon oil selected from the group consisting of a poly-&agr;-olefin, and an ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer. When a phosphoric acid ester is used as a compounding agent, or at lease one lubricating grease selected from the group consisting of an urea compound, silica powder, and bentonite powder is mixed therein, the lubricating composition is a rust preventive oil using a metal salt of sulfonic acid and the like. The lubricating composition is suitably used for machine parts of a business machine including the synthetic resin molded product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Masakazu Hirata, Atsushi Morooka, Hidenobu Mikami, Toshiyuki Mizutani, Seiichi Takada, Masaaki Honda, Yoshihiko Oeda, Katsumi Nagano
  • Publication number: 20030050121
    Abstract: It is aimed to provide a compact torque limiter to be used for a personal printer. It has a sleeve having an annular boss portion, and a ring-like elastic member. The sleeve generates a radial force relative to a shaft inserted in the sleeve by imparting elasticity in the diameter-reducing direction to the sleeve by fitting an elastic member onto the sleeve to reduce its diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Seiichi Takada, Masaaki Honda
  • Publication number: 20030024785
    Abstract: A one-way clutch is provided which has improved compactness. The one-way clutch comprises an inner member, an outer ring relatively rotatably mounted on the inner member, a rolling element mounted between the inner member and the outer ring, and a spring member for biasing the rolling element in one direction. A rolling element receiving portion having a predetermined wedge angle and a spring receiving portion communicating with the rolling element receiving portion are provided between the inner member and the outer ring. The spring member is received in the spring receiving portion, and the rolling element is received in the rolling element receiving portion and biased by the spring member toward the narrow side of the rolling element receiving portion. The inner member has a semi-columnar portion, which forms the rolling element receiving portion and the spring receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Seiichi Takada, Masaaki Honda, Chiharu Ito