Patents Issued in January 9, 2007
  • Patent number: 7159902
    Abstract: A vehicle bed liner apparatus includes a peripherally sealed flexible top wall and flexible bottom wall for containing a quantity of ballast liquid, e.g. water. Compartment boundary means are located at plural internal non-peripheral regions between the flexible top wall and the flexible bottom wall. The compartment boundary means are in contact with the flexible top wall and the flexible bottom wall. The compartment boundary means define internal compartment boundaries. The plural non-peripheral compartment boundaries and plural internal non-peripheral regions between the flexible top wall and the flexible bottom wall that are not in contact with the compartment boundaries define plural ballast compartments internal to the wall means. The ballast compartments are in communication with each other. A combination fill and drain valve in the flexible top wall is provided for filling the ballast compartments with a water and for emptying the water from the ballast compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Marty J. Carty
  • Patent number: 7159903
    Abstract: A steering mechanism is mainly comprised of an upper and a lower axle seat, in which the upper axle seat and the lower axle seat are provided for receiving an upper axle and a lower axle respectively. The upper and the lower seats are combined together by pivotally jointing each other with a respective inverted U-shaped and a U-shaped pivot-joint ends, where a universal joint having two ends thereof coupled with the upper and the lower axles is arranged in a space enclosed by the pivot-joint ends, so that a diversion may be made by taking the upper axle as a rotation center irrespective of the forward rake or backward rake of the upper axle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: Chen-Chang Huang, Taiwan An I Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Tai Huang
  • Patent number: 7159904
    Abstract: An electrically adjustable steering column as it is used in motor vehicles. The present invention pertains, in particular, to a steering column that has at least two adjusting units, which are arranged on an adjusting spindle and can be moved in the axial direction of the adjusting spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AB
    Inventors: Burkhard Schäfer, Sabine Lindhorst
  • Patent number: 7159905
    Abstract: A material feed hose has a multilayered hose with an inflow end, an intermediate length, and an outflow end. The hose has an an armored crush-resistant outer layer and a heating layer disposed between an inner layer and an intermediate insulating layer. A pair of hollow tubular fittings have a beveled inflow to limit the amount of material which is out of the flow path as the material moves through the hose. The fittings have an associated pair of hose clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Patricia A. Stark, Jon Zook
  • Patent number: 7159906
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention, can utilize a flange system incorporating metal sealing. In a further specific embodiment, the subject invention can utilize stainless steel sealing, where the flanges and seals are stainless steel. The subject seal may be made and released and remade multiple times. In a specific embodiment, the subject seal may be unaffected by heat extremes and more resistant to corrosive environments than copper and other soft metal seals. The subject invention can utilize sexless flanges, so as to avoid male/female design problems and can utilize infinitely rotatable flanges. The subject infinitely rotatable flanges eliminate bolt hole alignment problems, such that rotatable bolted flanges are not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: A&N Corporation
    Inventors: June E. Vaudreuil, legal representative, David N. Vaudreuil, Norman U. Vaudreuil, deceased
  • Patent number: 7159907
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a jam resistant door latch assembly which is provided, between a central portion of an outside lever and a lock lever, with a jam-releasing lever of a linkage structure that serves to resiliently pull the outside lever to a normal unlocked position of the door latch assembly to allow a jammed outside lever to be easily released, so that when a driver or passenger only pulls a door handle toward himself or herself to its original position after simultaneously pulling a second rod member and a lock lever, the outside lever is moved to a normal unlatched position of the door latch assembly to actuate the release lever to open the door, thereby improving the convenience in using the vehicle's door and improving the vehicle's quality and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jai Bong Song
  • Patent number: 7159908
    Abstract: An improved window sash latch which has a locking mechanism and a keeper is provided with a handle that rotates from a “locked” to an “unlocked” position. An inner cavity of the handle has a spring assembly having a sliding part that can be forced into a detent as the handle slides around a cylindrical extension of an outer surface of the latch. The detents correspond to a “locked” and an “unlocked” position of the latch. The latch also provides two cams where both cams revolve relative to each other; one cam is activated by the handle through the handle's shaft, the other cam engages the keeper, and both cams engage each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Vision Industries Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Luke Liang
  • Patent number: 7159909
    Abstract: A cabinet enclosure handle is primarily composed of a handle seat, a handle, a spindle kit, and a lock, wherein the spindle kit includes a Y-shape fixing pin, an elastic member, two gaskets, and a hook piece. The elastic member and Y-shape fixing pin are pivoted to pivot holes of a pivoting end of handle orderly, and the lock is installed in a fixing slot of a locking end of handle. Next, a fixing end of Y-shape fixing pin, followed by the gaskets and hook piece, are passed through a rotating hole on the handle seat and fixed together. The handle can be automatically ejected from the handle seat, after opening the lock, which is easy to hold the handle for rotating. The handle structure provided with the advantages that a cost can be reduced due to its simple structure, and it is fast to assemble and easy to hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Kuo-Chuan Hung
  • Patent number: 7159910
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and/or closing a dryer door wherein the door is opened and/or closed more simply and swiftly. The present invention includes a hook provided at one side of the dryer door wherein a hanging portion is formed at both sides of one end of the hook. A latch body is provided to one side of a front panel having the door installed thereon, and the hanging portion is inserted in an insertion hole formed in the latch body. A pair of holders is provided to confront each other in the latch body to hold the hanging portion, and a pair of springs is provided in the rear of the holders, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Gi Hwang
  • Patent number: 7159911
    Abstract: A bumper for a vehicle contains a bumper cross beam extending in a transversal direction of the vehicle, a bumper cover forming the external face of the bumper, and an energy-absorbing insert disposed at least in parallel between the mounted bumper cross beam and the bumper cover. The insert has a plurality of deformation cavities and/or deformation free spaces. The insert has a first boundary layer, a medial layer, and a second boundary layer. The medial layer has a different energy absorptive capacity than the two boundary layers and is associated with the bumper cross beam. The deformation cavities and/or deformation free spaces are embodied in the medial layer such that in case of a collision, the insert is plastically deformable at least partially in the transversal and/or longitudinal direction of the vehicle along a small part of a block length to absorb energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ngoc-Dang Nguyen, Dirk Becker
  • Patent number: 7159912
    Abstract: Transport device for an object, in particular for a pressing tool with a large weight, with a plurality of cable elements, which comprise a securing element, to which the object to be transported can be releasably fastened. According to the invention, a spreader device is provided, which is configured with a spreader weight, which is fastened to a chain hoist, which is movable in vertical direction by a drive unit, and with struts articulated to the spreader weight, wherein on the side opposite to the spreader weight each strut is fixedly connected to a cable element having the securing element on the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Gerhäusser
  • Patent number: 7159914
    Abstract: A decorative covering for an internal trim component for a vehicle comprises an outer surface that includes a gradient characteristic when referenced to an adjacent trim component. The gradient characteristic may comprise a plurality of texture gradient zones and/or a plurality of color gradients. A method of manufacturing the decorative covering and the internal trim component with the decorative covering is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Svenson
  • Patent number: 7159915
    Abstract: A motor vehicle for transporting and delivering mail having vehicle controls (steering, brakes and throttle) that interface with the operator be able to be adjustably located in a position that is comfortable to the operator. The operator seat is of a size and shape that it is comfortable to the 5th percentile female through the 95th percentile male. The operator seat is also adjustable and the brake and throttle are adjustable with respect to the operator seat. Moreover, the seat is pivotable from a driving configuration facing ahead of the vehicle to a laterally facing position where mail operations can be comfortably conducted from the drivers seat. In addition, the door into the cargo compartment includes a window that lines up with a window in the left side of the cargo compartment such that visibility to the left of the vehicle is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Wayne Corey, Bradley J. Suchy, Han T. Dinh, Jacqueline R. Johnson, Jacquelynn Estes, Gail A. Murphy, Aaron M. Mooney
  • Patent number: 7159916
    Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a console provided in a center stacking area receiving one or more vehicle components including a media player. A trim bezel configured for use with the one or more vehicle components is secured to the console. An alignment mechanism cooperates with the media player and an opening in the trim bezel to load and unload removable media. The alignment mechanism includes a load funnel securable adjacent an opening in the media player and an eject funnel cooperating with an opening in the trim bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John Stack, Robert M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7159917
    Abstract: A utility table and storage apparatus for use in vehicles such as pickup trucks having a truck bed includes three main parts: a main frame, a rail system, and a tool storage system. The main frame is made up of a frame assembly with four collapsible legs. The legs have wheels, and are adjustable in height. The main frame forms the support structure for the work table, the top of which is preferably covered by a 4 ft. by 8 ft. piece of metal, plywood, or other suitable material. When the main frame/table portion is outside the truck bed, it rests on the four legs with the wheels attached, allowing it to be moved around. The rail system consists of three components, the anchor frame, the guide frame, and the transfer frame. The anchor frame is bolted down to the bed of the truck. The guide frame guides the transfer frame during movements of the main frame, and is temporarily bolted to the anchor frame, but can be removed if needed to allow the full use of the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Bjorn Haaberg
  • Patent number: 7159918
    Abstract: A sliding bed extender arrangement is provided that basically has a vehicle cargo area, a pair of roller tracks, a pair of mounting arrangements and a bed extender. Each of the mounting arrangements has a pair of rolling members and a locking mechanism that are disposed in one of the roller tracks. Each of the mounting locking mechanism has a locking member slideably disposed in one of the roller tracks and a first hand operating portion operatively coupled to the locking member to selectively lock the mounting arrangement. The sliding bed extender has a generally U-shape as viewed from above with first and second side ends rigidly attached to the mounting arrangements to extend across the vehicle cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul B. Lussier
  • Patent number: 7159919
    Abstract: A storage system (14) of a motor vehicle (10) presenting a cargo space defining an opening (18) for storing spare tires, tools, and the like. A load floor assembly (22) is configured to cover the opening (18) and to support various loads (41) positioned thereon. A cover (24) of the load floor assembly (22) is molded from a polystyrene or other foam composite. At least one laminate (18), formed from a hard board or other sheet material, is adhered to the cover (24). A support frame (40), formed from a foamed polypropylene, includes a density greater than the density of the cover (24) and therefore has a higher mass to provide a significant amount of structural benefits to the load floor assembly (22) for supporting and preventing a deflection of the cover (24) under the force of the loads (41) applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: BBI Enterprises, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven G. Brown, Guy W. Boitos, Brett N. Woodson, Jay Ennis, Brandon Ye
  • Patent number: 7159920
    Abstract: An overhead console assembly mounted to a headliner in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The overhead console assembly includes an overhead console housing configured for attachment adjacent to a lower surface of the headliner or frame of the vehicle roof. The console housing includes a lower surface, at least one channel in the lower surface and opposing pivotally mounted first and second doors at least partially covering the lower surface. At least one storage module is releasably securable and adjustably positionable within the channel in the overhead console housing. The at least one storage module includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall extending therebetween defining a receiving area therebetween accessible through an opening in the sidewall. An accessory module removably mountable within the receiving area of the storage module housing receives and stores items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: George B. Byma, Grant Colyn, Yu-Jin J Song, Te Phan
  • Patent number: 7159921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a housing, at least one part of the internal surface of which is covered by at least one lining panel (1), and objects (3, 4, 5) such as cables, flexible printed circuits, flexible flat cables or anti-vibration blocks which are disposed between the lining panel (1) and the housing. One of the faces of the lining panel(s) (1) is provided with loops and male anchoring elements, particularly hooks (8), which are used to fix the objects and/or housing, with which said hooks are associated, to the panel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Aplix
    Inventors: Fabrice Billarant, Louis Raimbault, Stéphane Westeel, Patrick Delsart, Pavel Hammer
  • Patent number: 7159922
    Abstract: There is provide a cover member which is pivotally connected to a vehicle floor near a rear end of a seat cushion at its lower end and to a seat back at its upper end. The seat back is supported by the cover member so as to move forward and be located in its rising position in front of the seat cushion and behind a front seat located before the rear seat according to a forward rotation of the cover member via the lower end pivotal connection to the vehicle floor. The cover member covers substantially an upper face of the seat cushion and provide a substantially flat and horizontal face at the vehicle rear in cooperation with a floor of the load compartment when the seat back has moved forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hirochika Iyoda, Shinya Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7159923
    Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that harnesses the inertial loading caused by acceleration of occupants to reorient and relocate the occupants and enable shock absorbtion mechanisms to reduce the peak acceleration and reduce crush injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 7159924
    Abstract: A visibility adjusting section (10) is formed by making a visible light transmission of a region (A) in a lower side of left and right ridgelines (Rl, Rr) lower than a visible light transmission of a region (B) in an upper side of the left and right ridgelines (Rl, Rr). Accordingly, a driver and a passenger on an assistant driver's seat can see an outer side of a vehicle through the visibility adjusting section (10), and a suitable light can be taken into the vehicle. Further, since a parting line (11) of the visibility adjusting section (10) is uniformly inclined downward toward opposite sides in a vehicle-width direction from an apex (T) disposed at a position which is deviated from a driver, a driving posture of the driver is stabilized, and it is possible to suppress a disturbance in a steering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhito Ito, Kenya Uenuma, Keijiro Iwao
  • Patent number: 7159925
    Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle includes a shaft 10 angularly movably mounted on a roof surface within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a shielding plate angularly movably mounted on the shaft 10. A holder 30 and a stabilizer 70, in which the shaft 10 is angularly movably inserted, are provided at an end portion of the shielding plate, and a first projection 20A and a second projection 20B are formed on the shaft 10, and are spaced from each other in a direction of an axis of the shaft. The distance between the second projection 20B and the tubular portion 71 is larger than the distance between the first projection 20A and the bearing portion 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ikeda, Toshikazu Hirose, Tadao Goto, Hiroyuki Hirayama, Takatomo Watanabe, Junichi Soga
  • Patent number: 7159926
    Abstract: A vehicle trim panel is secured to a vehicle structural panel by providing a vehicle trim fastener having spaced arms which embrace and overlie the legs on a mount which is seated over the edge of a vehicle structural panel. The embracing arms and corresponding legs prevent lateral shifting of the trim panel relative to the structural panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nicholas Plastics Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Ward, David J. Otto
  • Patent number: 7159927
    Abstract: A powered tailgate system in which a direct driven rack 44 is connected to one end of a rod 52, one end of a curved arm 54 is connected to the other end of the rod 52, the other end of the curved arm 54 is connected to a tailgate 15, an arm side slider portion 60 which curves concentrically with the curved arm 54 is provided on the curved arm 54, and a plurality of load receiving portions 87 to 90 adapted to be brought into sliding contact with the arm side slider portion 60 so as to receive a load are disposed on a vehicle body side at intervals along a traveling direction of the curved arm 54.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Ihashi, Takeshi Hattori, Takeki Tanaka, Osamu Sera, Akihiro Kitagawa, Tomofumi Ichinose
  • Patent number: 7159928
    Abstract: A door for use in a vehicle and including an interior panel portion having an outer boundary facing toward an interior portion of the vehicle and including an opening. An insert positioned within at least a portion of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Hill, Henrik Fisker, David Woodhouse, Christopher Wheeler
  • Patent number: 7159929
    Abstract: A vehicle slide-door supporting structure is provided which includes: a slide door which is a side door that opens and closes an opening through which a person gets into and out of a vehicle, the opening being formed in a side part of a vehicle body, the side door being slid in the front and rear directions so that the opening is opened and closed, and the opening being opened when the side door is slid rearward; and a driving mechanism which is connected to the slide door and drives the slide door, in which one part of the driving mechanism is attached to a tail lamp which is disposed at the rear part of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Fukushima, Motoki Yoshida, Takashi Niseki, Noriaki Fujie, Seiji Ikejiri, Kouji Tabata, Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7159930
    Abstract: This slide device comprises a first tension member connected to a distal end of an opening cable, a second tension member connected to a distal end of a closing cable, a lower roller bracket rotatably mounted on a sliding door, a first pin disposed at a front portion of a lower roller bracket, and a second pin disposed at a rear portion of the lower roller bracket. The front of the first tension member is rotatably connected to the first pin and the rear of the second tension member is rotatably connected to the second pin. The first tension member and the second tension member overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Yokomori, Hiroshi Satoh
  • Patent number: 7159931
    Abstract: An integrally designed roof rack and roof panel attached to a vehicle may be formed using quick plastic forming (QPF) and superplastic forming processing (SPF). A number of vehicle accessories such as luggage containers, fuel tanks, consoles, door attachments, truck beds and table trays may be formed using QPF processes. The items may be installed and movable onto and off the vehicle. A variety of QPF processes may be employed, enabling the vehicle accessory to meet required strength, dimensional, and shape considerations. Additionally, component integration is enabled by using QPF processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian B. Chernoff, Richard M. Kleber, Chongmin Kim
  • Patent number: 7159932
    Abstract: A carrier mounting structure, in which knobs for connecting a lower frame of a carrier to a bumper cover are formed integrally with the lower frame so that a connection step between the knobs and the lower frame is omitted, thereby decreasing the number of steps of an overall assembly process and reducing the production cost of the carrier. The carrier mounting structure comprises a carrier provided in front of an engine compartment of a car body for fixing electric components of a car, a bumper cover located below the carrier for absorbing impact generated in external collision, and a plurality of knobs extended from a lower surface of the carrier and connected to the bumper cover, wherein the knobs are formed integrally with the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Yong Ahn
  • Patent number: 7159933
    Abstract: Rocker panel/clip house combination is shown wherein a first support member of the clip house is connected to the rocker panel at a first junction that is located between the top surface of the part and a depending side surface. The side surface is connected to a part surface at a second juncture or radiused section. A second support member of the clip house is attached to the surface at a location that is laterally spaced from the second juncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Green Tokai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7159934
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back connected to the seat bottom. A reclining mechanism is configured to adjustably position the seat back. A head restraint assembly includes a head restraint and one or more supports receiving the head restraint extending through one or more slots in an upper frame member of the seat back frame. A head restraint adjustment mechanism cooperates with the seat back to position the head restraint adjacent an occupant's head. The head restraint adjustment mechanism includes a guide rotatably mounted to the seat back frame receiving the one or more head restraint supports, a cam rotatably mounted to the seat back frame and a linkage having a first end connected to the guide and a second end adjustably connected to the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Farquhar, Kar K. Low, Kenneth McQueen, Mark S. Sebby, Nagarjun Yetukuri
  • Patent number: 7159935
    Abstract: A chair includes two lateral supports, a seat connected to the lateral supports, a back, a footrest, and two pivotal bars; the seat has a loop-shape; the back is passed through the seat, and pivoted to rear upper portions of the lateral supports at a middle portion thereof; the back has several back supporting bands connected to the seat so as to be under a space within the seat; the footrest is pivotally connected to a lower end of the back at a rear end thereof; the pivotal bars are pivoted to respective ones of front portions of the lateral supports at upper ends thereof, and they are pivotally connected to a middle portion of the footrest at lower ends thereof; thus, a sitter can change the position of the back and the footrest by means of changing his/her body position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Chang-Cheng Lai
  • Patent number: 7159936
    Abstract: An enhanced-comfort cycle saddle construction comprises a substantially rigid saddle framework including fasteners for coupling the saddle to the saddler pillar and coated by an outer coating layer, between the saddle framework and outer coating layer one or more gel layers, including throughgoing holes, being provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Selle Italia S.r.l.
    Inventor: Riccardo Bigolin
  • Patent number: 7159937
    Abstract: A reclining chair, in particular a passenger chair, for use in a vehicle such as an aircraft, bus or mobile home. The chair includes a base assembly, a seat frame located above the base assembly, a seat attached to the seat frame, and a seat back connected to the seat frame. In various embodiments, the chair includes features such as an energy absorbing base assembly, an adjustable arm rest, a fully reclining seat back and a seat that increases its angle with respect to the horizontal as the seat back reclines, thereby forcing one back into the chair. The seat and seat back is also capable of achieving a fully horizontal position when the seat back is fully reclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: John Williamson, Kurt Anglese
  • Patent number: 7159938
    Abstract: An acoustic structure of seat back in which speaker units are provided in a padding of the seat back. The padding includes: a frontal backrest surface area which is recessed backwardly of the seat back; and securing holes formed in that frontal backrest surface area. An enclosure of each speaker unit, in which each speaker is securely accommodated, is secured in each of the securing holes. A sound-conductive cushion element is juxtaposed on the foregoing recessed frontal backrest surface area of padding so as to lie on a frontal side of each of the speaker units. The sound-conductive cushion element may be of a network structure to not only provide an improved back support touch, but also achieve an improved conductivity of sounds from the speaker units to a user's back portion. Those padding and sound-conductive cushion element are covered with a trim cover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7159939
    Abstract: An auxiliary seating unit is designed for a vehicle with a bed, such as a bed-type all terrain vehicle or pickup truck. The seating unit is designed with seats mounted to a support frame, the support frame having portions which rest squarely atop the vehicle's bed surface, white upper portions of the frame juxtapose and reversibly attach (using pins and cotter keys, nuts and bolts, or other reversible attachment means) to the upper margins of the vehicle's bed fence. Seats are securely attached to and supported by seat supports which extend from the portions of the support frame which attach to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: John J. Brown, Randall Henexson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7159940
    Abstract: A swivel seat device is disclosed for bringing an individual adjacent to a table without moving or lifting the chair the individual is seated upon includes an upper supporting member eccentrically pivotally interconnected to a lower supporting member whereupon the individual sits on the upper supporting member that is eccentrically rotated so that the individual is brought adjacent and forward to the table without ever moving the chair. The lower supporting member is secured to the seat rest of the chair by flexible straps that wrap around both the chair seat rest and the lower supporting member for attachment beneath the chair seat rest. The upper supporting member can also include a semi-circular backrest upwardly extending from the periphery of the upper supporting member to provide further support for the individual seated thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Jerry Mac Atkins
  • Patent number: 7159941
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a child seat assembly that may be characterized, at least in one embodiment, as being substantially integral with a seat of a motor vehicle. This child seat assembly is at least generally capable of being disposed in first, second, third, and fourth positions to enable the seat of the motor vehicle to be configured to appropriately accommodate an infant, a toddler, a child (as in a booster seat), or an adult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Rodney Edward Thomas
  • Patent number: 7159942
    Abstract: A horizontal adjustment mechanism for use with a chair having a base, a seat supported on the base and a seat back. The mechanism includes a first plate that is to be coupled to the base and a second plate that is coupled to the seat. The second plate includes a mating portion. The second plate is slidably coupled to the first plate such that the second plate can move relative to the first plate. The mechanism also includes a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism includes a mating portion that selectively disengages from the mating portion of the second plate to allow the second plate to move relative to the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Massimo Costaglia
  • Patent number: 7159943
    Abstract: A structure for an office chair with articulation by synchronized movement of the seat and the backrest of the adjustable type includes a swivel type movable base with a height adjustable column supporting a seat surface and a reciprocally hinged backrest. The seat surface is connected frontally by two braces to the corresponding anterior side of a central support body anchored on the top of the adjustable column along the vertical axis. The central support body supports with hinges the lower ends of two arm-rest stanchions provided with a device for the adjustment of the height of the seat and with an locking-unlocking device for the oscillation of the backrest and the chair. The frame of the backrest is hinged along the sides and in correspondence with the posterior part of the seat. A compressed spring is interposed between the central support body and the support frame of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Metalseat Srl
    Inventor: Massimo Costaglia
  • Patent number: 7159944
    Abstract: A backrest includes: a back support having a top end portion provided with a pivot shaft that has two opposite end portions; a backrest cushion having a rear wall formed with two threaded holes; a coupling cover having an open end, covering the pivot shaft, and having a back wall that is formed with two counter bores; two screw bolts extending respectively through the counter bores and engaging threadedly and respectively the threaded holes to permit abutment of the open end of the coupling cover against the rear wall of the backrest cushion; and two pivoting members, each having a pivot sleeve sleeved rotatably on a respective end portion of the pivot shaft, and a linkage extending from the pivot sleeve and coupled to a respective one of the screw bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 7159945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detent fitting that is provided with a solid fitting component (10) appurtenant to the seat component and a fitting component (12) appurtenant to the backrest. The fitting component (12) is pivotably mounted in relation to said first component (10). At least one lock (17) is provided on a fitting component and said lock, together with the remaining fitting component, can be brought into or removed from a locking position in the radial direction. The lock, together with transmission members, forms a backrest adjustment device (17, 20, 21) which engages with an operating lever (27). The aim of the invention is to pivot the backrest towards the front and to bring back said backrest into the position of inclination that has been adjusted before. A memory device (30, 31, 34, 37; 34, 65, 66) and a self-pivoting device (43, 47; 64, 70, 71) that can be released by a separate operating element (45) are assigned to the backrest adjustment device (17, 20, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Dietmar Eppert
  • Patent number: 7159946
    Abstract: A headrest is supported by a first rod and a second rod, the first rod being equipped with a series of positioning notches on a first side and a retaining notch on a second side. In operation, the two rods are installed into two channels in the seat, one of the channels being equipped with a headrest guide assembly. The headrest guide assembly includes a button that allows the user to selectively engage the series of positioning notches on the first side of the first rod so that the headrest can be positioned as desired. However, the headrest guide assembly will automatically engage the retaining notch on the second side and thus prevent the headrest from being removed from the seat. To remove the headrest, a tool can be inserted into a notch in the button and to insertion of the tool prevents the headrest guide assembly from engaging the retaining notch on the second side and thus the headrest can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Worlk Inc
    Inventors: Craig W. Gurtatowski, Steven R. Andrews, Simon Lorenc
  • Patent number: 7159947
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for armrests includes an armrest plane and a lower plate fastened under the armrest plane. A removable block with smaller length is disposed inside the lower plate. Elastic locating rings are disposed on right and left sides of the removable lock, corresponding to linear locating slot composed of a plurality of curved slots on right and left sides of an inner part of the lower plate. Thus the removable block and the lower plate are moving or located relative to each other. A rectangular slot with a rectangular piece whose width is smaller than that of the rectangular slot is mounted on the removable block. And curved slots for location is arranged on side of the rectangular piece so that the rectangular piece and the rectangular slot move transversely and being located, relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Hwang-Pao Lee
  • Patent number: 7159948
    Abstract: A restraining device for securing a child safety seat to the LATCH system anchors of an automobile includes a strap having first and second opposed ends. Respective hooks or other fasteners are connected to the opposed ends for selective attachment to respective anchors of an automobile. The restraining device includes a ratchet mechanism enabling the strap to be incrementally tightened and thus increasing tension forces between the first and second strap ends. A strain gauge is also included for visually indicating the tension forces and indicating when the straps are at safe or unsafe tension conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Randy Wolf
  • Patent number: 7159949
    Abstract: A debris container of the type used on roadway and pavement sweeper and sweeping vehicles includes a hinged door through which the interior of the debris container may be inspected and through which debris is emptied when the container is elevated and rotated to its dump position. A powered actuator, which may be an electrically powered screw-rod assembly, is connected by mounting brackets between the structure of the debris container and the door. One of the mounting brackets includes slots that define a lost-motion function that allows the powered actuator to open and close the door while also allowing an operator to manually open and close the door and allowing the door to open under the influence of gravity when the container is in its “elevated and dump” position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Schwarze Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim E. Adair, Steve L. Hanvey
  • Patent number: 7159950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetics brush for making-up 30 including an inner brush member 10 and an outer brush member 20 separated each other, wherein the inner brush member 10 has a color different from that of the outer brush member 20 to express specific design and/or pattern of logo and is fitted into inner side of the outer brush member 20 to be integrated together and, a method for producing such cosmetics brush. The produced cosmetics brush 30 can express the desirable logo by both of the inner and the outer brush members 10 and 20; thereby it allows the user of such cosmetics brush to easily recognize the company or products thereof from the logo represented by the brush and accomplishes effectiveness of advertising, in addition to function its true duty as the cosmetics brush 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Byun Young-Chul
  • Patent number: 7159951
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a brush includes fully and longitudinally filing a bundle of hair into a metal cylinder. One end of the metal cylinder is heated to melt the bundle of hair for forming a combined portion after the melted hair is solidified. The bundle of hair with the combined portion is drawn out from the metal cylinder. At least one through hole is longitudinally defined in the combined portion for outputting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Chuen Chern Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 7159952
    Abstract: An automatic balancing device for a rotatable system includes a track (18) arranged about a rotational axis (H) of the rotatable system and having two surfaces (22a, 22b) inclined toward each other in a direction of a centrifugal force acting (F) acting on at least one balancing body (20) which is received in a cross-section formed by the two inclined surfaces (22a, 22b) and limited by an elastic locking element (24) arranged therebetween for displacing the at least one balancing body (20) away from the inclined surfaces (22a, 22b) in a direction opposite the direction of the centrifugal force (F) and for pressing the at least one balancing body (20) against an inner boundary of the track (18) for locking the balancing body (20) when a rotational speed of the system is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Koschel, Rolf Spangenberg, Eberhard Lang