Patents by Inventor Takao Sugano
Takao Sugano 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).
-
Publication number: 20230103950Abstract: Provided is an unprecedented chair in which a space between swinging surfaces facing each other can be appropriately hidden. The chair includes swinging surfaces (rolling surfaces) 312a and 322a facing each other, and has a configuration in which the swinging surfaces 312a and 322a swings with respect to each other in directions of 360 degrees including front-rear and left-right directions. In such a chair, an elastic member 33 is arranged to be positioned between the swinging surfaces 312a and 322a at least in the vicinity of outer peripheral edges 312z and 322z, and a stretchable sheet material 60 is provided between the outer peripheral edges 312z and 322z to conceal a gap between the swinging surfaces 312a and 322a facing each other, the gap including the elastic member 33.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2022Publication date: April 6, 2023Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita, Katsuaki Hayashi
-
Patent number: 11540637Abstract: To realize a noble, useful seat with a simple structure designed to follow a natural movement of a seated person in front-rear and left-right directions and to support appropriately a movement of the person continuously changing its posture while the person balances a load. The seat includes the elastic support layer 3 and upper and lower base units 4 and 5 arranged to sandwich the elastic support layer 3. The upper base unit 4 includes the rolling surface 42e bulging toward the lower base unit 5 thereabove via the elastic support layer 3, is rollable in a 360° direction from the tilt reference position IRP in receiving a load of the seated person, and has a moving distal end side tilting more downward as a distance from the position IRP increases, and is configured to move while compressing the elastic support layer 3 by the rolling surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita
-
Patent number: 11533998Abstract: A chair includes a leg 1, a seat 5 including a pressure receiving surface PS, a backrest 6, and a support mechanism SM. The seat 5 can move in the front-rear or left-right direction along a predetermined trajectory and to downwardly incline a tip side of the seat 5 in a movement direction in accordance with a movement of the seat 5 from a predetermined reference position (S). The support mechanism SM includes a return-force generation unit configured to generate, in accordance with an amount of movement, a return force in a direction in which the seat 5 moved from the reference position (S) in the front-rear or left-right direction is returned to the reference position (S), and movably supports the backrest 6 in the left-right direction together with a movement of the seat 5 in the left-right direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Katsuaki Hayashi, Takao Sugano, Kenta Asano, Takayoshi Kanou, Kenta Shiozawa, Kensuke Nakamura, Kazuki Tsukadaira, Naoya Niimura
-
Patent number: 11297951Abstract: A chair is realized which takes specific measures to suppress movement of a seat in a front-rear direction when the seat swings in the front-rear and the left-right directions with respect to a support base. For the purpose, the chair wherein a seat 5 swings in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to a support base 2, the chair is configured such that swinging of the seat 5 in front-rear direction with respect to the support base 2 is capable of being suppressed at one or a plurality of predetermined positions, or arbitrary position via operation of operation member 152.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita, Kenta Shiozawa, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kensuke Nakamura
-
Patent number: 11253077Abstract: A chair according to the present invention has a reference position P located midway in a front-back direction in a movable range of a seat 2. The chair includes a return force generation mechanism 4 configured to generate a return force in a direction to return the seat 2 moved from the reference position P at least in the front-back direction to the reference position P. The return force generation mechanism 4 includes an elastic member 40 configured to increase the return force in the direction to return the seat to the reference position P as the amount of movement of the seat from the reference position P increases.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano
-
Publication number: 20220031073Abstract: A chair includes a leg 1, a seat 5 including a pressure receiving surface PS, a backrest 6, and a support mechanism SM. The seat 5 can move in the front-rear or left-right direction along a predetermined trajectory and to downwardly incline a tip side of the seat 5 in a movement direction in accordance with a movement of the seat 5 from a predetermined reference position (S). The support mechanism SM includes a return-force generation unit configured to generate, in accordance with an amount of movement, a return force in a direction in which the seat 5 moved from the reference position (S) in the front-rear or left-right direction is returned to the reference position (S), and movably supports the backrest 6 in the left-right direction together with a movement of the seat 5 in the left-right direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2018Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicants: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Katsuaki Hayashi, Takao Sugano, Kenta Asano, Takayoshi Kanou, Kenta Shiozawa, Kensuke Nakamura, Kazuki Tsukadaira, Naoya Niimura
-
Publication number: 20210393036Abstract: To realize a noble, useful seat with a simple structure designed to follow a natural movement of a seated person in front-rear and left-right directions and to support appropriately a movement of the person continuously changing its posture while the person balances a load. The seat includes the elastic support layer 3 and upper and lower base units 4 and 5 arranged to sandwich the elastic support layer 3. The upper base unit 4 includes the rolling surface 42e bulging toward the lower base unit 5 thereabove via the elastic support layer 3, is rollable in a 360° direction from the tilt reference position IRP in receiving a load of the seated person, and has a moving distal end side tilting more downward as a distance from the position IRP increases, and is configured to move while compressing the elastic support layer 3 by the rolling surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita
-
Patent number: 11202509Abstract: [Problem] Provided is a chair capable of changing an operation of a movable part between allowed and suppressed states, without causing an up-down movement of a seat or without requiring a complicated structure relying on a back. [Solution] For that purpose, a weight-receiving part 50, the height position of which changes due to a person sitting on a seat surface, is provided on a seat 5, the change of the height position is mechanically transmitted to a control mechanism 8X configured to control an operation of a front-rear swing part 3 being the movable part, and the control mechanism 8X changes an operation of the front-rear swing part-3 being the movable part between allowed and suppressed states.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kenta Shiozawa, Kensuke Nakamura
-
Patent number: 11103069Abstract: In view of various movement of a seated person, when giving the left-right swinging operation to the seat in the non-conventional aspect, a chair configured such that the back can perform a new movement suitable for the left-right movement of the seat and return to the predetermined position when the seated person leaves a seat, is realized. For the purpose, a back 6 is arranged behind a seat 5, and the back 6 has an operation mechanism 6M turning-movably supporting the load received from a seated person in a left-right direction in a front view, and when the load is applied, at least a part of guide part 65a, 66a of the operation mechanism 6M is separated and the back moves freely, and when the applied load is removed, the back automatically returns to the neutral position along the guide part 65a, 66a.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Takao Sugano, Kensuke Nakamura, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kenta Shiozawa
-
Patent number: 11096495Abstract: A flange part 31b is provided on a vertical surface 31a on the plate member PM of the front-rear swing part 3, the flange part 31b has a guide surface 31b1 extending to lateral direction and moving the rolling body 45 in the longitudinal direction, a lateral direction dimension of the guide surface 31b1 is greater than a thickness of the plate member PM, the flange part 31b and the portion of the plate member PM forming the vertical surface 31a around the flange part 31b are integrally formed of metal; and the flange part 31b has a shape that goes around the circumference of the guide hole 34 opened in the vertical surface 31a, and then, the rolling body 45 are provided independently to the left and right, to be able to a roll along the guide surface 31b1.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignees: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu, Kenta Shiozawa, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kensuke Nakamura
-
Publication number: 20210112988Abstract: A chair according to the present invention has a reference position P located midway in a front-back direction in a movable range of a seat 2. The chair includes a return force generation mechanism 4 configured to generate a return force in a direction to return the seat 2 moved from the reference position P at least in the front-back direction to the reference position P. The return force generation mechanism 4 includes an elastic member 40 configured to increase the return force in the direction to return the seat to the reference position P as the amount of movement of the seat from the reference position P increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano
-
Patent number: 10918211Abstract: A chair comprises: a leg 1 erected on a floor surface; a seat 3 arranged above the leg 1; and a support mechanism 8 interposed between the leg 1 and the seat 3, wherein the support mechanism 8 is arranged below the seat 3 and is configured to movably support the seat 3 along a predetermined trajectory by having an omnidirectional connection unit 72 configured to operably connect in all directions including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, comprises: a seat inclining function configured to downwardly incline a tip side in a movement direction of the seat 3, and further comprises: a return-force generation mechanism configured to generate, by elevating a center of gravity of the seat 3, a return force in a direction of returning the seat 3 to the reference position.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu, Toshiki Yajima, Katsuaki Hayashi
-
Patent number: 10881208Abstract: A chair includes a support mechanism 2 interposed between a leg 1 and a seat 3, wherein the support mechanism 2 is arranged below the seat 3, is configured to each individually and movably support the seat 3, at least at two locations in a front-rear direction and two locations in a left-right direction, along a predetermined trajectory, and the support mechanism 2 includes: a seat inclining mechanism Q or a seat inclining function configured to downwardly incline a tip side in a movement direction of the seat 3 in accordance with movement of the seat 3, and further includes: a center-of-gravity movement mechanism P or a return-force generation mechanism configured to generate a return force in a direction of returning the seat 3 having moved from a reference position (S) in a front-rear or left-right direction, to the reference position (S) by using a center-of-gravity movement.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu
-
Patent number: 10842276Abstract: A chair according to the present invention includes: a leg 1; a leg support pole 13; a support base 4; a movement mechanism 5 located below a seat 2, the movement mechanism 5 provided with plural movement parts 5A, 5B configured to allow the seat 2 to move in a certain area along a predetermined trajectory in a front-rear and left-right directions between the support base 4 and the seat 2, the movement mechanism 5 being a support mechanism configured to support the seat 2 so that the seat 2 moves in the front-rear direction and left-right directions; and plural cover members 71, 72 arranged corresponding to the plural movement parts 5A, 5B. The plural cover members 71, 72 are configured to move relatively in accordance with movement of the plural movement parts 5A, 5B and cover the support mechanism 5.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Sugano, Toshiki Yajima, Fei Xu, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Yojiro Kinoshita
-
Patent number: 10820704Abstract: To provide a chair in which the seated person can perceive a comfortable sitting feeling even if sitting for a long time, and furthermore, a high work efficiency can stably be maintained, a chair according to the present invention includes a leg 1 erected on a floor surface, a seat 3 supported above the leg 1 and a suspension support mechanism 5 configured to operatively support the seat 3, in a front-rear direction and in a right-left direction, along a predetermined trajectory by suspending the part of the seat 3 from a part of the leg 1, the suspension support mechanism 5 comprises a inclining function Q configured to downwardly incline the seat 3 so that a tip side in a movement direction of the seat 3 is positioned below a base end side when the seat 3 operates from a reference position_(S) at which the seat 3 can rest by its own weight.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Sugano, Toshiki Yajima, Katsuaki Hayashi
-
Patent number: 10806260Abstract: A chair includes: a leg 1; a seat 2; and a front-back support mechanism 4. The front-back support mechanism 4 is provided at a seat receiving part 50 directly supported by the leg 1, and the front-back support mechanism includes: a wavy plate 56 provided to horizontally extend from vertical walls 51 of the seat receiving part 50 and having mound-shaped surfaces 57, 58 each convexly curved upward; and followers 53, 54 provided at front-back support bodies 52 as supported parts and configured to move relative to the mound-shaped surfaces 57, 58 while contacting the mound-shaped surfaces 57, 58. The wavy plate 56 is associated with the followers 53, 54 such that a movement end inclines downward when the seat 2 moves from a neutral position in accordance with a relative movement between the mound-shaped surfaces 57, 58 and the followers 53, 54.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Sugano, Katsuaki Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20200315352Abstract: A chair comprises: a leg 1 erected on a floor surface; a seat 3 arranged above the leg 1; and a support mechanism 8 interposed between the leg 1 and the seat 3, wherein the support mechanism 8 is arranged below the seat 3 and is configured to movably support the seat 3 along a predetermined trajectory by having an omnidirectional connection unit 72 configured to operably connect in all directions including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, comprises: a seat inclining function configured to downwardly incline a tip side in a movement direction of the seat 3, and further comprises: a return-force generation mechanism configured to generate, by elevating a center of gravity of the seat 3, a return force in a direction of returning the seat 3 to the reference position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2016Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicants: KOKUYO CO., LTD., KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Sugano, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu, Toshiki Yajima, Katsuaki Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20200205573Abstract: A chair is realized which takes specific measures to suppress movement of a seat in a front-rear direction when the seat swings in the front-rear and the left-right directions with respect to a support base. For the purpose, the chair wherein a seat 5 swings in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to a support base 2, the chair is configured such that swinging of the seat 5 in front-rear direction with respect to the support base 2 is capable of being suppressed at one or a plurality of predetermined positions, or arbitrary position via operation of operation member 152.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicants: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Yojiro Kinoshita, Kenta Shiozawa, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kensuke Nakamura
-
Publication number: 20200196763Abstract: A flange part 31b is provided on a vertical surface 31a on the plate member PM of the front-rear swing part 3, the flange part 31b has a guide surface 31b1 extending to lateral direction and moving the rolling body 45 in the longitudinal direction, a lateral direction dimension of the guide surface 31b1 is greater than a thickness of the plate member PM, the flange part 31b and the portion of the plate member PM forming the vertical surface 31a around the flange part 31b are integrally formed of metal; and the flange part 31b has a shape that goes around the circumference of the guide hole 34 opened in the vertical surface 31a, and then, the rolling body 45 are provided independently to the left and right, to be able to a roll along the guide surface 31b1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicants: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu, Kenta Shiozawa, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kensuke Nakamura
-
Publication number: 20200196764Abstract: [Problem] Provided is a chair capable of changing an operation of a movable part between allowed and suppressed states, without causing an up-down movement of a seat or without requiring a complicated structure relying on a back. [Solution] For that purpose, a weight-receiving part 50, the height position of which changes due to a person sitting on a seat surface, is provided on a seat 5, the change of the height position is mechanically transmitted to a control mechanism 8X configured to control an operation of a front-rear swing part 3 being the movable part, and the control mechanism 8X changes an operation of the front-rear swing part-3 being the movable part between allowed and suppressed states.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicants: KOKUYO CO., LTD., TAKANO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Yajima, Takao Sugano, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Kenta Shiozawa, Kensuke Nakamura