Horizontally Movable Support Surface Patents (Class 248/424)
  • Patent number: 9371012
    Abstract: A spindle drive for longitudinally adjusting a motor vehicle seat is provided. The spindle drive comprising an adjustment rail that can be longitudinally adjusted relative to a body mounted rail and an adjusting mechanism that includes a driving worm connected to a driving device as well as a spindle nut, the external teeth of which mesh with the external teeth of the driving worm, and the internal teeth of which mesh with the external thread of a spindle. The spindle nut is formed by a hybrid spindle nut that has a functional part, which is located in the force flux between the driving worm and the spindle, and at least one strengthening part, deflecting crash forces from the adjustment rail into the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Stefan Bosecker, Wolfgang Suck, Florian Lipp, Andrea Bauersachs, Sebastian Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 9371013
    Abstract: Seat tracks each include a lower rail, an upper rail, a lock lever, and a handle. When a handle is operated, the lock lever is set in a locking state or an unlocking state by engaging and disengaging the lock lever with and from lock recesses in the lower rail. The lock lever is supported pivotally with respect to the upper rail by pivot support portions, in which support holes in side plates of the upper rail and protrusions on arm plates of the lock lever are fitted together. A torsion coil spring, which interlocks the handle and the lock lever, includes a second stopper, which hooks on first stoppers provided on the arm plates of the lock lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Gifu Auto Body Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohisa Nakamura, Takayuki Ogasawara, Masashi Komiyama
  • Patent number: 9266452
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle vibration device for a vehicle seat or a vehicle cab with a lower part and an upper part sprung mounted in relation to the lower part by at least one damper device, wherein the upper part is mounted suspended on the lower part so that on occurrence of vibrations between the upper part and lower part, the upper part can swivel about a fictitious or real axis arranged below the upper part and extending in the vehicle width direction or vehicle length direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Erwin Haller, Jens Kolb
  • Patent number: 9242586
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat riser for spacing a guide rail (5) of a motor vehicle seat from a vehicle floor, the guide rail (5) extending along a direction (x) of longitudinal extension and the seat riser (1) comprising a fastening portion (2) being formed to fasten the seat riser (1) to the vehicle floor and a welding portion (4) including at least a first and a second welding point (41, 42) and being formed to fasten the guide rail (5) to the seat riser (1) at the welding points (41, 42), wherein the two welding points (41, 42) are spaced from each other in a direction (y) perpendicular to the direction of longitudinal extension of the guide rail such (5) that they are associated with opposite first and second longitudinal sides (51, 52) of the guide rail (5), respectively, when the guide rail is fastened to the seat riser, and wherein the welding portion (4) is provided with a cutout (45) extending from the first longitudinal side (51) of the guide rail (5) towards the second longitudinal side (52) of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Anthony Ferenc, Leo Ioppolo, Larry Demeniuk
  • Patent number: 9156375
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle with a low profile low friction seat support is described. The vehicle includes a rail in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a seat support with a top member and a bottom member. The seat support is adapted for securing on the rail, and the seat support is adjustable in position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A lock is provided for releasably locking the seat support in a forward position, a rearward position and therebetween. A low friction support member is positioned between the top and bottom members. At least two channels are formed in the top member. One of the channels matches the shape of the support member, and the other channel matches the shape of the rail for close registration between the top member and the support member and the rails. The seat support is highly compartmentalized, sturdier, and safer for vehicle occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: Dometic Sweden AB, Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Pequignot, II, Timothy John Roeglin, Shashidhar Channarayapatna Suryanarayana, Shane Lee Doehrmann, Andrew John Miller
  • Patent number: 9156376
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes: a lower rail freely fixed to a vehicle floor and having a pair of first vertical wall portions, a bottom wall portion, and a pair of first flanges; an upper rail fixed to a seat having a seat cushion and a seatback, and having a pair of second vertical wall portions, a lid wall portion, and a pair of second flanges; a locking member connected to the upper rail; a memory piece placed on the bottom wall portion, engages with the upper rail due to an upward urging force by a memory piece urging member; a memory link connected to the upper rail; a lever member connected to an upper portion of the upper rail; and a stopper member fixed to the inside of the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima, Naoki Goto
  • Patent number: 9027899
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part, comprising a back rest part and comprising a linear guide device for translational adjustment of the vehicle seat, in which the linear guide device comprises a guide rail means and a slide rail means which is displaceable with respect thereto, in which a bearing means interacts between the slide rail means and the guide rail means and at least comprises slide rod elements so as to mount the slide rail means with respect to the guide rail means, and in which the slide rod element comprises an elongate undulating base body, the slide rod element having an effective external diameter which is greater, at least when the slide rod element is radially unloaded, than a core external diameter of the elongate undulating base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Erwin Haller, Jens Kolb
  • Patent number: 9010712
    Abstract: A seat track assembly for moving a seat assembly includes a fixed track and a movable track. A first slide member is slidably coupled to the movable track and slides between first and second positions. The first slide member slides from the first position to the second position in response to pivoting a seat back to a folded position thereby actuating a latch mechanism to an unlocking position and pivoting a hook lever to a raised position allowing movement of the seat assembly from a comfort range to an easy entry position. The first slide member slides from the second position to the first position in response to the first slide member engaging a rearward stop at a rearward end of the comfort range thereby actuating the latch mechanism to a locking position and pivoting the hook lever to lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W Gray, Jeffrey P Carroll, Ashok K Sahi
  • Publication number: 20150084389
    Abstract: An adjustment unit for a vehicle seat in a vehicle is disclosed. Said adjustment unit comprises a longitudinal adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vehicle seat along a direction of travel of the vehicle, said longitudinal adjustment mechanism comprising a first rocker that is mounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a transverse direction extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Sascha Müller, Andreas Kinzer, Eckhard Kirch, Joachim Mühlberger
  • Patent number: 8967581
    Abstract: A seat connector which connects a vehicle seat with a base support, and method of connecting the same. The set connector has a base interface which connects to the base support, and a seat interface which connects to the vehicle seat. Both interfaces cooperate together by having the seat interface slide along the base interface. Both during and before this sliding engagement, the weight of the seat interface and the attached seat are supported by the base interface and other weight supports. Upon completing the sliding engagement, the vehicle seat is temporarily in a locked position where movement of the vehicle seat in all directions relative to the base support is restrained, even without the use of mechanical fasteners to secure the connection. The vehicle seat is then secured to the base support with mechanical fasteners. The vehicle seat can be removed from the base support by sliding the vehicle seat in a rearward direction along the base interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Baultar I.D. Inc.
    Inventors: Étienne L'Huillier, Étienne Archambault
  • Patent number: 8967582
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjustment device for a motor vehicle seat, with a floor rail which can be connected to a motor vehicle floor, a seat rail which can be connected to the motor vehicle seat and is mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the floor rail, and a connecting element having a connecting section for connection of a functional component to the seat rail. The connecting element is connected by a first section to a side wall of the seat rail and by a second section to an upper side of the seat rail. The connecting element has an opening for receiving the functional component and/or a bearing element for the arrangement of the functional component. The opening is arranged in the region of a recess running in the region of a bending line between the side wall and the upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: C. Rob Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Axel Speck, Sascha Eckhoff, Jens Hoppe
  • Patent number: 8967583
    Abstract: A manually, longitudinally adjustable motor vehicle seat having a lower rail secured to a vehicle chassis, and an upper rail longitudinally displaceable in the lower rail and secured to a seat component. Locking mechanisms released by release mechanisms secure the rails, and assume a release position when the backrest is folded forward. A blocking lever pivotably mounted on a pivot shaft secured to the upper rail can assume two stable extreme pivot positions, namely a passive position where the blocking lever has no contact with the release mechanism, and an active position where the blocking lever blocks the release mechanism in its release position. Upon longitudinal displacement of the seat from a comfort-longitudinal adjustment arrange into an easy-entry-longitudinal adjustment range, a control device comes into contact with the blocking device pivoting against the force of a spring device, out of its passive and into its active position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventor: Dan Stoia
  • Patent number: 8960628
    Abstract: An adjusting device, in particular a height or longitudinal adjusting device for motor vehicle seats, including a threaded spindle that is rotatably mounted in a gearbox housing at one end and in a receiving unit at the other end, the receiving unit having an inner thread that is adapted to the spindle thread. The adjusting device also includes a motor unit that is operatively connected to the threaded spindle. An adjusting device and a seat base frame for motor vehicle seats with an adjusting device that transmits forces that occur in the event of a crash to the required degree are provided. A reinforcing element is provided in the gearbox housing such that said element is suitable for receiving forces that act in the longitudinal axial direction of the threaded spindle in the event of a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ivica Stanic, Oliver Kuntz, Christian Sturm
  • Patent number: 8939423
    Abstract: An adjustable memory track assembly for a vehicle seat has a lower rail (18) adapted to be secured relative to a vehicle frame, and an upper rail (20) adapted to support the seat for fore/aft sliding movement relative to the lower rail (18). The adjustable memory track assembly (24) also has a track lock assembly (24) operable via a first actuator (28) between a locked, engaged state wherein relative movement between the lower (18) and upper rails (20) is resisted, and an unlocked, disengaged state wherein the seat can be slid to and then locked in a user-selected position. The adjustable memory track assembly (24) is characterized in that the memory module (24) is provided with a blocking element to prevent rearward movement of the seat past the user-selected position independent of the locking state of the track lock assembly (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wojatzki, Hans-peter Mischer, Klaus Walter, Marc Laumeier, Andre Schebaum, Joerg Sternberg
  • Patent number: 8939424
    Abstract: A seat slide device of the present invention comprises a lower rail (102) and an upper rail (101). The lower rail (102) has a bottom wall (102b) and includes a foreign-object catching member (1). The foreign-object catching member (1) has an elastic body (2). A height of the elastic body (2) with respect to a bottom wall (102b) of the lower rail (102) is set to become higher than a height of a positioning pin (105) as a protruding object provided inside the lower rail (102) to protrude from the bottom wall (102b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Fukuda, Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8925887
    Abstract: A bracket 34 for mounting a motor 32 to a vehicle seat assembly 20. The bracket including a body portion 53 having a first end 46 and a second end 48 for attachment to a vehicle seat assembly 20; a recess 54 located at the first end 46 of the body portion 53 for housing a motor 32; an attachment rib 56 extending vertically from the body portion 53 and located in the recess 54, the attachment rib 56 for attaching to the motor 32 and securing the motor 32 within the recess 54; and an attachment member 62 extending horizontally from the body portion 53 and into the recess 54, the attachment member 62 for insertion into the motor 32 and interlocking the motor 32 thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gerald Raymond Veen, Thomas David Novitsky, Kristen Clements
  • Patent number: 8925888
    Abstract: A slide locking apparatus has: a first locking piece having a narrow width locking hook section, a third locking piece having a broad width locking hook section and a second locking hook having an intermediate width locking hook section, which are held on an upper aril; and first to third locking piece accommodating holes which have width corresponding to the widths of the respective locking hook sections of the first locking piece to the third locking piece, and which are provided in a lower rail. The first locking piece accommodating hole is disposed on a frontmost end, the second locking piece accommodating hole is disposed to the rear side of the first locking piece accommodating hole, and the third locking piece accommodating holes are disposed to the rear side of the second locking piece accommodating hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhito Domoto
  • Patent number: 8925889
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding device includes: a first rail adapted to be fixed to one of a vehicle floor and a seat; a second rail adapted to be fixed to the other one of the vehicle floor and the seat, and coupled to the first rail in a relatively movable manner; an engagement member, which selectively limits and permits the relative movement of the first and the second rails; an operation member configured such that operating force to cancel the restriction of the relative movement in the second rail is transmitted to the engagement member; and a cover mounted on the first end of the second rail to close the first end. The cover has an engagement piece, which engages with a support wall provided in the second rail and restricts the pivoting of the cover when pressed against the operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Satoshi Masuda, Motoharu Yoshii, Toshihiro Kimura, Tsuneo Ogi, Ryousuke Mizuno, Akihiro Chiba
  • Patent number: 8919719
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding device includes: a lower rail adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor; and an upper rail adapted to be fixed to a vehicle seat, and coupled with the lower rail in a relatively movable manner. A projection is arranged in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the lower rail, and protrudes above the bottom wall of the lower rail. A fitting recess is formed in the bottom wall more forward than the projection. A block body placed on the bottom wall extends to the projection and has a slanted surface more forward than the projection. The block body includes: a fitting protrusion, which fits into the fitting recess and positions the block body in the lateral direction; and a fitting wall, at least a part of which fits on the protrusion. The fitting wall positions the block body in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Satoshi Masuda, Motoharu Yoshii, Toshihiro Kimura, Ryousuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8915382
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for supporting a ski on a support structure. The apparatus includes a ski support member, a spacer, and a coupling element. The ski support member includes a ski engaging portion and a binder engaging portion. The binder engaging portion is positionable within a receiving space in a binder toe piece. The ski engaging portion includes a substantially flat surface engageable with one of a deck surface of the ski and an element disposed on the deck surface of the ski to maintain the ski in a desirable orientation. The spacer is positioned between the ski support member and a the support structure. The coupling element is configured to couple the ski support member to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Totman
  • Patent number: 8905369
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration isolation module (101) for a lithographic apparatus or an inspection apparatus. The module comprises a support frame (102), an intermediate body (103) and a support body (104) for accommodating the lithographic apparatus. The intermediate body is connected to the support frame by means of at least one spring element such that the intermediate body is a hanging body. The support body is connected to the intermediate body by means of at least one pendulum rod (108) such that the support body is a hanging body. The invention further relates to a substrate processing system comprising such vibration isolation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mapper Lithography IP B.V.
    Inventors: Jerry Johannes Martinus Peijster, Rogier Martin Lambert Ellenbroek, Guido De Boer
  • Patent number: 8899542
    Abstract: A seat track system for use in a vehicle seat assembly having a seat base frame. The seat track system includes a lower track assembly having a first lower track and a second lower track and an upper track assembly having a first upper track slidably disposed within the first lower track and a second upper track slidably disposed within the second lower track. The first upper track has a portion extending upwards that forms a first side member of the seat base frame and the second upper track has a portion extending upwards that forms a second side member of the seat base frame. The first upper track and the first side member are formed integrally to form a one-piece unitary member and the second upper track and the second side member are formed integrally to form a one-piece unitary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Alexander I. Balin, Kyle Doxey, Alexander Saveski, Kurt A. Seibold, Ornela Zekavica
  • Patent number: 8899545
    Abstract: An apparatus for affixing an object to a rail includes, but is not limited to at least one base body, at least one locking body and at least one operating element. The locking body is held so as to be movable relative to the base body and is connected to the operating element by way of at least one bearing. The operating element is arranged so as to be rotatable in the base body, includes, but is not limited to a cam that acts on the base body, and when rotated moves the locking body towards the base body. In this way apparatus is created which makes possible the manual affixing and undoing, without the need for tools, of an object on and from a rail, for example, if needed, in order to reposition displaceable monuments in a cabin of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Blees, Dieter Krause, Ralf Koblitz, Oliver Gehlen, Dirk Humfeldt, Mark Herzog
  • Patent number: 8894031
    Abstract: A seating system for a motor vehicle includes three sets of rails mounted to the floor of a motor vehicle. Each set of rails is configured to receive two seats that are capable of sliding in a longitudinal direction on the rails. The motor vehicle also includes storage spaces for storing the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Sailer, Mark Kisiler, Nathan G. Brown, David A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8870147
    Abstract: A track assembly is provided and may include a track, at least one slide mechanism, and a lock mechanism. The at least one slide mechanism may be slidably attached to the track. The lock mechanism may be associated with the at least one slide mechanism and may operate between a locked state restricting movement of the at least one slide mechanism relative to the track and an unlocked state permitting movement of the at least one slide mechanism relative to the track. The lock mechanism may include a plurality of lock plates independently movable relative to one another between a first position engaging the track and a second position disengaged from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher & Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, David L. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140291467
    Abstract: A carrying device comprises a sliding rail, a support stand and a plurality of rods. The sliding rail comprises a fixed rail and a withdraw rail. The withdraw rail is configured for moving back and forth relative to the fixed rail. The support stand has a top surface. The sleeve holes are disposed on the top surface. The sleeve holes have a sleeved axis, while opposite two ends of the support stand respectively have at least one installation hole having an installation axis. The sleeved axis and the installation axis do not intersect, and the withdraw rail is installed on the installation hole of the support stand. The rods each have a fixed end and a cantilever end opposite to each other. Each of the fixed ends is installed on each of the sleeve holes of the support stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: ULIKE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jui-Lien YANG
  • Patent number: 8844890
    Abstract: To provide a passenger's weight measurement device for a vehicle seat which can be assembled to prevent the occurrence of the initial deformation and the initial load. The passenger's weight measurement device comprises a pair of left and right fixed lower rails, a pair of movable upper rails disposed to be movable in a front-and-rear direction on each of the fixed lower rails, load sensors fixed on an upper surface of the left movable upper rail, load sensors mounted on the movable upper rail to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail, and a rectangular frame mounted on the load sensors. Mounting holes are formed on the rectangular frame, and rods are inserted into the mounting holes from bottom up. The rods are engaged with nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 8827228
    Abstract: A fastener device (10) for fastening a load to a rail (4) that is provided with a slideway (4?) defined by a bottom wall (5), two side walls (6), and a top wall (7) including a succession of wide slots (8) and of narrow slots (9), said fastener device (10) comprising a base (20) and two shoes (30) suitable for being inserted in said wide slots (8) and for co-operating with the top wall (7) in a narrow slot (9) by shape interference. The device further comprises first and second slides (31, 32), each including one of said two shoes (30), spacer means (40) for spacing apart said first and second slides (31, 32), detector means (50) for detecting a rail (4?), approach means (60) for causing said first and second slides (31, 32) to approach each other, and blocking means (70) for longitudinally blocking said base (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Eric Zunino, Matthias Harer
  • Patent number: 8820697
    Abstract: The system for engaging an aircraft seat in a fastening rail of the rest of said aircraft, of the type including a catching means able to be moved between an assembly/disassembly position of the seat and an active position locking said seat in position, via a handling lever that can be moved by an assembly operator between an assembly/disassembly position and a locking position, and including a means for locking the lever in the locking position, able to be disengaged by the operator via a quarter turn means, to release the lever and therefore release the catching means, is characterized in that at least one handling portion of the quarter turn means for disengaging the locking means of the lever is accessible to the operator, from the upper face of the catching means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Attax
    Inventor: Xavier Marechal
  • Publication number: 20140183322
    Abstract: A support device for moving an item on a surface. A main body includes a panel and a sidewall. A handle assembly engages the main body and includes a first transportation mechanism. The support device includes a resistance portion on the main body for engaging a surface and resisting movement of the support device when in a resistive mode. The handle mechanism lowers the first transportation mechanism to engage the surface and disengage the resistance portion from the surface in a transportive mode to encourage movement of the support device and the item supported thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Wilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Starr, Kevin McFadden, Jeffrey Chiu, Erin Smith, Sarah Mault
  • Patent number: 8763978
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting photovoltaic panels on a support structure. The mounting system comprises photovoltaic panel frames in which the photovoltaic panels are mounted, panel support rails, and mounting brackets or cross beams for supporting the panel support rails. The panel frames have inwardly extending panel frame extensions on their back side. The panel support rails are mounted on the support structure with either pivoting brackets or cross beams. In either case, the support rails have pairs of stationary clamps and movable clamps with clamp lips that engage the panel frame extensions of the panel frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Newman, Glen Newman
  • Patent number: 8763975
    Abstract: A set of slides for vehicle seats including two slide locks actuated by a cross-bar assembly pivotally mounted on the two slides by means of bearings. The bearings each include an indentation and the ends of the cross-bar assembly each include a tooth enabling nesting of the cross-bar assembly in the bearing parallel to the pivot axis. The tooth retains the end of the cross-bar assembly in the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventor: Gérald Garotte
  • Patent number: 8708299
    Abstract: A slide device for a vehicle seat provided with: an upper rail that is long in the front-rear direction and fixedly installed on the bottom surface of a seat body; a lower rail that is arranged on the floor of a vehicle body and supports the upper rail such that the upper rail can slide in the front-rear direction; a bracket that is fixedly installed at the front of the upper rail and moves downward with thereof when the upper rail moves tilting forward; a J hook member that moves upward with the upper rail upon the upward movement of the rear thereof; and a reinforcement member to which the bracket is abutted upon the downward movement thereof so as to absorb a downward force and to which the J hook member is abutted upon the upward movement thereof so as to absorb an upward force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Kitamura, Yutaka Ofuji, Arata Kusunoki, Yoichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 8708300
    Abstract: A sliding device for a vehicle comprises a lock member received and attached within a section area of one of relatively movable first and second rails for locking the relative movement between the first and second rails; and a manipulation lever provided for moving the lock member to permit the relative movement between the first and second rails. A movement permitting portion is formed on at at least one of the lock member and the rail attaching the lock member so that the relative movement between the lock member and the rail attaching the lock member in the rail axis direction is allowed with the lock member locking the relative movement. Further, a movement restraining portion is formed on the rail attaching the lock member to restrain the movement in a lock release direction of the lock member after the relative movement at the movement permitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shun Fujishiro, Yukifumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8702053
    Abstract: A vehicle seat interface assembly having a track including a web having a substantially uniform thickness and one of a key and a key slot. A seat bracket is operably connected with a vehicle seat. The seat bracket includes a support that has the other of the key and the key slot disposed thereon. The key includes first and second side portions. The space defined between the first side portion and the support is greater than the thickness of the web. The space defined between the second side portion and the support is less than the thickness of the web, such that the key may be inserted into the key slot and laterally translated until the web is frictionally secured between the second side portion and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Majid Arefi, Michael Medoro, Khaled Ayyash, Daniel Ferretti
  • Patent number: 8690271
    Abstract: A detachable inner sliding rail and server case mounting arrangement includes a server case having a plurality of hangers arranged in a line at one side thereof, each hanger defining a shank and a head, an inner sliding rail having a plurality of hanger holes spaced along the length thereof for hanging to the hangers of the server case, each hanger hole defining a large hole for the passing of the head of one respective hanger and a narrow slot for engagement with the shank of one respective hanger after insertion of the heads of the hangers through the large holes of the respective hanger holes and a horizontal displacement of the inner sliding rail relative to the server case, a spring plate affixed to the inner sliding rail adjacent to one hanger hole, and a stop member pivotally coupled to the spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Gslide Corporation
    Inventors: Te-Jeng Chang, Sung-Mu Chiang
  • Patent number: 8678337
    Abstract: A device for fastening a fixture to a fastening structure of a vehicle including: a base comprising a first clamping jaw which can be positioned in a clamping direction (Z) over the slot and pressed in the clamping direction (Z) with respect to the fastening structure, a second clamping jaw comprising a clamping portion which can be inserted into the fastening channel, and a shaft which projects from the clamping portion; an actuating unit which is supported on the base such that it can be moved back and forth; and a gear system which couples the actuating unit to the second clamping jaw such that a movement of the actuating unit generates the longitudinal movement of the second clamping jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Diehl Service Modules GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Grünewald
  • Patent number: 8672606
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor having first annular connection structure at a forward end portion of an air inlet housing of the compressor. The gas turbine engine may also include intake ducting having second annular connection structure adjacent a central passage of the intake ducting. The first annular connection structure and the second annular connection structure may form at least part of an interface between the air inlet housing and the intake ducting during operation of the gas turbine engine. The first and second annular connection structures may have shapes allowing the first annular connection structure to be moved through and beyond the second annular connection structure in a forward direction, the forward direction being opposite a direction of compressed air flow in the compressor during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel James Glynn, Charles Cornelius, Ian Trevor Brown, Daniel James Doll, Jason Michael Robertson
  • Patent number: 8668180
    Abstract: A seat slide device is switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state. When the seat slide device in the locked state, a lock member attached to an upper rail is engaged with a lock hole formed in a lower rail. This restricts movement of the upper rail with respect to the lower rail. When the seat slide device is in the unlocked state, the lock member is separated from the lock hole to permit the upper rail to move with respect to the lower rail. In the unlocked state, a gap is formed between a movable portion and the lower rail. In contrast, in the locked state, the movable portion contacts the lower rail and the gap between the movable portion and the lower rail is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Gifu Auto Body Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin Shiraki
  • Patent number: 8632043
    Abstract: A fore-aft adjustable vehicle seat formed of a plastic seat shell having an integrally formed latch handle recess molded into the shell that pivotally receives and retains a latch having a handle at one end and that is disposed in pivotal engagement with the shell at its opposite end. The latch is provided by an elongate bar that is spring biased outwardly into a slide plate engaging position that opposes fore-aft seat movement. A preferred latch handle recess includes a recessed latch seating channel integrally molded into the shell in communication with a latch receiver pocket integrally molded into the shell in which one end of the latch bar is pivotally received with engagement between the latch bar and shell defining a pivot about which the latch is biased by a coil spring outwardly toward a seat position adjustment opposing position where the latch bar releasably engages the slide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Milsco Manufacturing Company, A Unit Of Jason Incorporated
    Inventors: Bruce Dahlbacka, Kenneth Braun
  • Patent number: 8628053
    Abstract: This system comprising a base (2) provided in the vicinity of one of its ends with means in the form of jaws (3) for clamping and blocking in position of the system in the rail by pinching the latter between the base (2) and laterally protruding portions (4) of these means in the form of jaws (3), the base (2) and the means in the form of jaws (3) able to be displaced in relation to one another between a mounting/dismounting position of the system in the rail and a blocking position of the system by clamping around the rail, by the intermediary of the means of manoeuvring (6) that can be actuated by an operator, is characterized in that the means of manoeuvring (6) include a slide (7) which can be displaced in the base (2) by the operator and comprising at one end, a surface for manoeuvring (8) by the operator, at the other end, a ramp portion adapted (9) to cooperate with an additional ramp portion (10) of the means in the form of jaws (3) in order to displace the latter in relation to the base between the m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: ATTAX
    Inventor: Xavier Marechal
  • Patent number: 8616515
    Abstract: The slide rail device includes a lock release lever which switches a locking mechanism between a slide restriction state and a slide restriction release state by rotating in the vertical direction and includes a rail-incorporated portion positioned between an upper rail and a bottom wall of a lower rail, a rotational contact portion which is formed on an upper surface of the rail-incorporated portion and contacts a roof surface of the upper rail, and a biaser which is installed in the rail-incorporated portion and the upper rail and biases the rotational contact portion toward the roof surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Shiroki Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8590151
    Abstract: A power system includes a gas turbine engine, which may include a gear box. The gear box may include a pipe connection configured to receive a removable pipe. The power system may also include a moveable support configured to fasten to the pipe connection to at least partially support the gear box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Trevor Brown, Daniel James Doll, Jason Michael Robertson, Danny Ferrel Smith
  • Patent number: 8556221
    Abstract: A roller mount for seats is used for mounting a seat in a boat. A track is mounted on a base plate in the boat. The Y-shaped track has flanges, a transverse web, and a central pillar. The flanges have slots with detent bores. An inverted U-shaped carriage rides on the track. The carriage has a transverse web and two flanges with detent holes. The carriage has two upper lateral channels facing downward, two lower lateral channels facing upward, and two medial channels facing inward. A plurality of upper transverse rollers is mounted for rotation on axles in the upper lateral channels. Lower transverse rollers are mounted on axles in the lower lateral channels. Vertical rollers are mounted on axles in the medial channels. A top plate is mounted on the carriage to support the seat. A second track, allowing a wider seat, can be mounted on the base plate spaced apart from the first track. A detent locks the seat in the selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Taco Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M Kohen
  • Patent number: 8500082
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a seat base sliding device applied to a seat of a heavy machinery such as a loader, an excavator, or the like. The seat base sliding device includes: a seat base with a lower part is fixed to a floor of a vehicle body and an upper part at which a seat is installed; a sliding plate slidable inwards and outwards in a lateral direction of the seat base at both left and right sides of the seat base and in which a control stand is fixed to one side thereof; and at least one adjustment unit selectively fixing the sliding plate of which the position is determined by sliding movement to the seat base. The present disclosure is capable of preventing a cabin from knocking against both control stands of a seat device at the time of assembling the cabin around the seat device and in addition, preventing the corresponding control stands from interfering in a thigh of a driver at the time of operating a control lever of each control stand laterally after assembling the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8496219
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus provided with a pair of lower rails fixed to the vehicle floor and a pair of upper rails fixed to a vehicle seat. The seat sliding apparatus causes screw shafts supported at the upper rail to rotate relative to nut members fixed to the lower rails and the upper rails to move relative to the lower rails in the seat forward-rearward direction. A speed reducer-equipped motor comprises a motor, a gear mechanism, and a gear housing. The gear housing is designed so that the axis of the output shaft of the gear mechanism extends in the seat width direction. A manipulation switch comprises a manipulating portion fixed to the gear housing such that the operation switch is exposed at a forward end of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Soichiro Hozumi, Koichi Hirota, Toshiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 8485489
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjustment mechanism is provided for a seat, with a spindle guide nut (12) that can move on a spindle (10), which can be driven by a worm gear (14) with bearing sleeves (15) on both sides, as well as with a multi-part casing (20, 30) that receives the worm gear (14) and the spindle (10). The casing (20, 30) consists of two casing sections (20, 30) made of plastic, which can be inserted into one another in the axial direction (X) of the spindle (10); each casing section (20, 30) has a plate (21, 31), from which bars (22, 23, 24; 33) jut out on one side and the casing sections (20, 30) are permanently joined to one another. The mechanism provides a compact transmission for longitudinal seat adjustment mechanisms that is easy to assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Hofschulte, Fred Krimmel, Rolf-Dieter Lohner
  • Patent number: 8480051
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) is provided with a base (3), which is connected to a vehicle structure (7). The vehicle seat (1) is adjustable at least between a use position and an easy-entry position. The vehicle seat (1) is guided displaceably in at least one track (5) with at least one first, straight area (15a) and at least one additional, curved area (15c). At least three rollers (17, 23, 23?) or link blocks are provided each per track (5). The three rollers (17, 23, 23?) support the vehicle seat (1) in the use position in the same at the track (5) and only two of the rollers (17, 23) or link blocks are arranged within the same track (5) in the easy-entry position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Mühlberger, Birger Hahn
  • Patent number: 8474777
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a first rail, a second rail, a lock member, a memory member, a first holding member holding the memory member to move integrally with the second rail in a state where a restriction of the relative movement between the first rail and the second rail is released on a basis of an operation handle, and a second holding member holding the memory member so that the engagement of the memory member with the first rail is maintained in a state where the restriction of the relative movement is released in association with a forward folding operation of a seat back. The first holding member integrally includes a body portion and a memory member holding portion so as to sandwich the memory member in a state where the body portion engages with the front end portion of the memory member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Nihonmatsu, Ryousuke Mizuno, Genta Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8469328
    Abstract: A seat track slide device includes a pair of seat tracks. Each seat track has a lower rail, an upper rail, a lock lever, and a handle and is capable of switching the associated upper rail to locking and unlocking states by selectively engaging and disengaging the lever with respect to the lower rail. Each lever is inserted into the corresponding upper rail and pivotally supported in the upper rail. An interlock support portion of the lever projects into an outer zone with respect to the front end of the upper rail. The interlock support portion of the lock lever supports an interlock support portion of the handle pivotally relative to each other. With the lever maintained in the locking state, the handle is allowed to pivot relative to the lever in the outer zone with respect to the front end of the upper rail against elastic force produced by a torsion coil spring arranged in the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Gifu Auto Body Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohisa Nakamura, Takayuki Ogasawara