Patents by Inventor Nozomu Munemura

Nozomu Munemura 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: 10518678
    Abstract: A headrest support structure includes: a headrest body; a bushing; and a headrest stay, the bushing comprises a support section that supports the headrest stay in the bushing, and the support section includes: a fixed portion that is abutted against an outer peripheral face of the headrest stay, and a flexing portion that is provided on an opposite side of the headrest stay from the fixed portion, and that is capable of flexing so as to be abutted against the outer peripheral face of the headrest stay when the bushing has been inserted into the retention section and the headrest stay has been inserted into the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: NHK Spring Co., Ltd., Subaru Corporation
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Tatsuhiro Takakusaki, Takuya Hasegawa, Naoki Endo
  • Publication number: 20180257530
    Abstract: A headrest support structure includes: a headrest body; a bushing; and a headrest stay, the bushing comprises a support section that supports the headrest stay in the bushing, and the support section includes: a fixed portion that is abutted against an outer peripheral face of the headrest stay, and a flexing portion that is provided on an opposite side of the headrest stay from the fixed portion, and that is capable of flexing so as to be abutted against the outer peripheral face of the headrest stay when the bushing has been inserted into the retention section and the headrest stay has been inserted into the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Tatsuhiro Takakusaki, Takuya Hasegawa, Naoki Endo
  • Patent number: 9592755
    Abstract: The time until a headrest contacts the head of an occupant in the event of a rear collision is shortened with a simple configuration. In a seat device, a stay (46) (including grommets (22)) is set with bending rigidity towards the vehicle front lower than the bending rigidity towards the vehicle rear. Accordingly, when the headrest oscillates in the event of a vehicle rear collision, the headrest is initially displaced towards the vehicle rear, however the headrest changes direction in a short time and begins to be displaced towards the vehicle front. Moreover, there is a large displacement of the headrest towards the vehicle front since the stay (46) (including the grommets (22)) has a lower bending rigidity towards the vehicle front than the bending rigidity towards the vehicle rear. The time until the headrest contacts the head (H) of the occupant can accordingly be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masami Takayama, Atsushi Kageyama, Ken Okura, Junichi Nakano, Nozomu Munemura, Kensuke Nagai, Tadanori Hisamoto
  • Patent number: 9403451
    Abstract: A headrest device comprising: a headrest stay that is coupled to an upper end portion of a seatback of a vehicle seat, and that supports a headrest pad; an internal structure that is embedded inside the headrest pad, that is supported from a rear by the headrest stay, and that supports a head of an occupant from the rear during a vehicle rear-on collision via a support face that is formed at a front face of the internal structure; and a forward projection portion that is configured by a portion of the headrest stay that projects forward, that is disposed at an upper side or a lower side of the support face within the headrest pad, and that suppresses the head supported by the support face from tilting backward or tilting forward by pivoting about the support face as a pivoting center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Kensuke Nagai, Tadanori Hisamoto
  • Patent number: 9387783
    Abstract: Load imparted to a seat back frame is stably absorbed and efficiently absorbed. In a vehicle seat 10, a weak portion 48 is formed by a fixing plate (50). The weak portion (48) continuously extends from an edge portion of a fixing hole (44) in the relative movement direction with respect to a hinge base bracket (40) of a fastening bolt. Thus the weak portion (48) presses against the fastening bolt when the hinge base bracket (40) rotationally moves about the axial line of a support hole (42). Moreover, when the weak portion (48) plastically deforms, deformation so as to press the weak portion (48) wider is suppressed, such that the weak portion (48) is deformed so as to be squashed. Consequently, load imparted to a seatback frame (64) can be stably absorbed by the weak portion (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Hironobu Nakane, Ryo Nagahara, Kensuke Nagai
  • Patent number: 9371022
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat (10), a deformable portion (32) extends continuously from an edge portion of a placement hole (28) towards an outside of the placement hole (28). When the deformable portion (32) is plastically deformed by a fastening bolt (40), the deformable portion (32) does not readily deform so as to be pushed outwards, but deforms so as to be squashed. When a low press-contact force acts on a side face (32D), the deformable portion (32) does not readily perform plastic deformation, and an impact load imparted to a seatback frame (44) can be stably absorbed by the deformable portion (32). Impact load imparted to the seatback frame (44) can be continuously absorbed by the deformable portion (32) since the deformable portion (32) deforms continuously. Accordingly, impact load imparted to the seatback frame (44) can be efficiently absorbed by the deformable portion (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Hironobu Nakane, Atsuo Matsumoto, Ryo Nagahara, Kensuke Nagai
  • Patent number: 9027993
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises: a vehicle body side member; a seat cushion having left and right side frames; left and right front links provided respectively between front end sides of the left and right side frames and the vehicle body side member, the left and right front links configure a portion of a lifter mechanism that moves the seat cushion, and one end side of the respective left and right front links is coupled to the vehicle body side member so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat left-right direction; and a coupling member coupling together front end sides of the left and right side frames along the seat left-right direction, that is rotatable with respect to the left and right side frames about an axis along the seat left-right direction, and that is joined to other end side of the respective left and right front links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Hironobu Nakane, Ryo Nagahara, Tadanori Hisamoto
  • Patent number: 9016795
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that may assure stiffness of a seatback and that may realize a reduction in weight. In the present rear seat for a vehicle, a substantially X-shaped X-rib (24) is joined to a panel frame (22) of a rear seatback. A first reinforcement portion (24A) of the X-rib (24) spans in a linear shape between an anchor wire (68), which is a point of action of a load, and a first supported portion (22A) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at a vehicle body via a turning hinge (48). A second reinforcement portion (24B), which has a length direction middle portion in common with the first reinforcement portion (24A), spans in a linear shape between a second supported portion (22B) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at the vehicle body via a turning hinge (56), and a third supported portion (22C) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at the vehicle body via a lock mechanism (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Nakagaki, Tomio Matsufuji, Nozomu Munemura, Atsuo Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150042133
    Abstract: Load imparted to a seat back frame is stably absorbed and efficiently absorbed. In a vehicle seat 10, a weak portion 48 is formed by a fixing plate (50). The weak portion (48) continuously extends from an edge portion of a fixing hole (44) in the relative movement direction with respect to a hinge base bracket (40) of a fastening bolt. Thus the weak portion (48) presses against the fastening bolt when the hinge base bracket (40) rotationally moves about the axial line of a support hole (42). Moreover, when the weak portion (48) plastically deforms, deformation so as to press the weak portion (48) wider is suppressed, such that the weak portion (48) is deformed so as to be squashed. Consequently, load imparted to a seatback frame (64) can be stably absorbed by the weak portion (48).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Hironobu Nakane, Ryo Nagahara, Kensuke Nagai
  • Publication number: 20140132048
    Abstract: In a seat device, a stay including grommets is set with bending rigidity towards the vehicle front lower than the bending rigidity towards the vehicle rear. Moreover, there is a large displacement of the headrest towards the vehicle front since the stay including the grommets has a lower bending rigidity towards the vehicle front than the bending rigidity towards the vehicle rear. The headrest can be promptly displaced towards the side of the head of the occupant due to setting the bending rigidity of the stay including the grommets, thereby enabling the time until the headrest contacts the head of the occupant to be shortened with a simple configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masami Takayama, Atsushi Kageyama, Ken Okura, Junichi Nakano, Nozomu Munemura, Kensuke Nagai, Tadanori Hisamoto
  • Publication number: 20130307301
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat (10), a deformable portion (32) extends continuously from an edge portion of a placement hole (28) towards an outside of the placement hole (28). When the deformable portion (32) is plastically deformed by a fastening bolt (40), the deformable portion (32) does not readily deform so as to be pushed outwards, but deforms so as to be squashed. When a low press-contact force acts on a side face (32D), the deformable portion (32) does not readily perform plastic deformation, and an impact load imparted to a seatback frame (44) can be stably absorbed by the deformable portion (32). Impact load imparted to the seatback frame (44) can be continuously absorbed by the deformable portion (32) since the deformable portion (32) deforms continuously. Accordingly, impact load imparted to the seatback frame (44) can be efficiently absorbed by the deformable portion (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Hironobu Nakane, Atsuo Matsumoto, Ryo Nagahara, Kensuke Nagai
  • Publication number: 20130300166
    Abstract: A headrest device comprising: a headrest stay that is coupled to an upper end portion of a seatback of a vehicle seat, and that supports a headrest pad; an internal structure that is embedded inside the headrest pad, that is supported from a rear by the headrest stay, and that supports a head of an occupant from the rear during a vehicle rear-on collision via a support face that is formed at a front face of the internal structure; and a forward projection portion that is configured by a portion of the headrest stay that projects forward, that is disposed at an upper side or a lower side of the support face within the headrest pad, and that suppresses the head supported by the support face from tilting backward or tilting forward by pivoting about the support face as a pivoting center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Kensuke Nagai, Tadanori Hisamoto
  • Publication number: 20130278030
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises: a vehicle body side member; a seat cushion having left and right side frames; left and right front links provided respectively between front end sides of the left and right side frames and the vehicle body side member, the left and right front links configure a portion of a lifter mechanism that moves the seat cushion, and one end side of the respective left and right front links is coupled to the vehicle body side member so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat left-right direction; and a coupling member coupling together front end sides of the left and right side frames along the seat left-right direction, that is rotatable with respect to the left and right side frames about an axis along the seat left-right direction, and that is joined to other end side of the respective left and right front links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Hironobu Nakane, Ryo Nagahara, Tadanori Hisamoto
  • Publication number: 20120267936
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that may assure stiffness of a seatback and that may realize a reduction in weight. In the present rear seat for a vehicle, a substantially X-shaped X-rib (24) is joined to a panel frame (22) of a rear seatback. A first reinforcement portion (24A) of the X-rib (24) spans in a linear shape between an anchor wire (68), which is a point of action of a load, and a first supported portion (22A) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at a vehicle body via a turning hinge (48). A second reinforcement portion (24B), which has a length direction middle portion in common with the first reinforcement portion (24A), spans in a linear shape between a second supported portion (22B) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at the vehicle body via a turning hinge (56), and a third supported portion (22C) of the panel frame (22), which is supported at the vehicle body via a lock mechanism (64).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO.,
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Nakagaki, Tomio Matsufuji, Nozomu Munemura, Atsuo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7926872
    Abstract: A seat back has a seat back frame, a plane spring structure, and a headrest provided at the upper end of a seat back frame. The plane spring structure has left and right side wires, and horizontal wires extending in the horizontal direction. Connection wires are provided between the seat back frame and plane spring structure. First end portions and second end portions of the connection wires function as detachable portions. At least one of these detachable portions is detached from the seat back frame or plane spring structure by the load applied to the seat back, when a vehicle is bumped from behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd., NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Chida, Kazuki Okamoto, Nozomu Munemura, Atsuo Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20090108646
    Abstract: A seat back has a seat back frame, a plane spring structure, and a headrest provided at the upper end of a seat back frame. The plane spring structure has left and right side wires, and horizontal wires extending in the horizontal direction. Connection wires are provided between the seat back frame and plane spring structure. First end portions and second end portions of the connection wires function as detachable portions. At least one of these detachable portions is detached from the seat back frame or plane spring structure by the load applied to the seat back, when a vehicle is bumped from behind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicants: Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun CHIDA, Kazuki Okamoto, Nozomu Munemura, Atsuo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6702387
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to simplify the structure for softening the shock of a rear-end collision. The lower portion of each of its right-side and left-side members 3, which are made of sheet steel, include a plurality of holes 7 and 8 in which fastening bolts 11 and 12 are inserted so as to connect the side members 3 with an external member. The fastening bolt 11 is capable of contacting the hole brim of a hole, and by installing such a fastening bolt 11 in all of the holes, or in all of the holes but one, the shock of a rear-end collision is softened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Yorisuke Matsufuji, Tomiteru Masuda
  • Publication number: 20020063464
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to simplify the structure for softening the shock of a rear-end collision. The lower portion of each of its right-side and left-side members 3, which are made of sheet steel, include a plurality of holes 7 and 8 in which fastening bolts 11 and 12 are inserted so as to connect the side members 3 with an external member. The fastening bolt 11 is capable of contacting the hole brim of a hole, and by installing such a fastening bolt 11 in all of the holes, or in all of the holes but one, the shock of a rear-end collision is softened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nozomu Munemura, Yorisuke Matsufuji, Tomiteru Masuda
  • Patent number: 5857750
    Abstract: A seat device comprises a cushion frame mounted on a floor; a support member for supporting a seat pad; and torsion bars for elastically supporting the support member on the cushion frame, including a torque bar section and an arm section, wherein the torsion bars are provided at the front and rear positions of the seat or at the left and right positions thereof by at least one pair, and each arm section of the at least one pair of torsion bars be provided so as to form a parallel link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignees: NHK Spring Co., Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Kashiwamura, Akira Homma, Nozomu Munemura, Toshimichi Hanai, Kazuhito Kato, Kozo Yamaura
  • Patent number: 5839782
    Abstract: A seat device has a cushion frame mounted on a floor; a support member for supporting a seat pad; and a torsion bar including a torque bar section and an arm section, for elastically supporting the support member on cushion frame. An arm supporting bracket of substantially cylindrical shape is provided on the support member. A collar rotatably fitted to at least arm supporting bracket has a circumferential flange in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is disposed to be facing to an end surface of the arm supporting bracket on the opening side thereof. A tip portion of the arm section is fittedly supported in the opening of the collar. The arm supporting bracket is attached to the support member through a movement absorbing mechanism which allows relative movement with respect to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Kashiwamura, Akira Homma, Nozomu Munemura, Toshimichi Hanai, Kazuhito Kato, Kozo Yamaura