For Seat Patents (Class 248/503.1)
  • Patent number: 11542014
    Abstract: A gravity-assisted tracking base assembly for an aircraft seat includes base rails mounted to floor tracks in an aircraft cabin by floor track fittings in fixed positions, the base rails connected by a tracking member for providing longitudinal tracking while minimizing added height. The base rails include tracking slots extending longitudinally, and the tracking member includes tracking elements translatable forward and backward along the tracking slots, allowing an aircraft seat mounted to the tracking member to translate forward and backward relative to the base. The tracking member includes a locking mechanism for locking the tracking member and seat in intermediate positions within the tracking slots. The tracking slots may be oriented slightly downward from the horizontal to allow for gravity-assisted tracking or to counteract the nose-up flight angles associated with cruising altitude, providing for easier seat tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Oleson
  • Patent number: 11447270
    Abstract: A track filler may include an elongated body. The body may include a first sidewall having a first top end and a first bottom end, and formed along a first side of the body, a second sidewall having a second top end and a second bottom end, and formed along a second side of the body, opposite the first sidewall, and a topwall joining the first top end and the second top end. The body may form at least a partially hollow interior portion, and may also include a plurality of periodic notches along the first bottom end of the first sidewall and the second bottom end of the second sidewall and extending toward the first top end and the second top end, respectively. The body may also include a plurality of periodic grooves extending partially through the topwall, wherein each of the grooves extend from a notch at the first top end to a corresponding notch at the second top end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Isaac Anthony Chavira, Michael Alexander Szoke, Dana Stephen Klein
  • Patent number: 11352145
    Abstract: A fastening system for passenger seats in a vehicle cabin has two or more guide rails to be integrated into or onto a cabin floor, and a plurality of slides, to be brought into engagement with the guide rails and having a flange for connection to a passenger seat in order to retain the passenger seat on a guide rail. Each guide rail has a profile cross section, perpendicularly to a main axis of extent, having a base region and a supporting region. Each slide has a cavity of complementary design with the profile cross section. The guide rails have a plurality of transverse openings spaced apart from one another between the base region and the supporting region. At least one slide has a displaceably mounted retaining body which, when the slide is in engagement with the guide rail, can be brought into engagement with one of the transverse openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Claus-Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 11167853
    Abstract: A passenger seat system) for a transport means has an elongate carrier structure, to be attached, fixedly with respect to a structure, mutually spaced-apart raster openings on the carrier structure top side, and a seat having a seat frame. The seat frame is displaceable and arrestable on the carrier structure, has a bottom side lying on the carrier structure, a top side holding a seat surface, an arresting device on the bottom side and an operating unit coupled to the arresting device, and movable into an arresting position and an unlocking position. The arresting device has an arresting body, mounted so as to be movable perpendicularly with respect to the carrier structure and pushed by a spring device, by a spring force, into an arresting position, and a locking unit for automatically holding the arresting body in the arresting position when the arresting body reaches the arresting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Claus-Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 11124302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting a detachable equipment anchoring rail having adjustable dimensions, which is lockable, tamper-proof, reusable and consists of elements which are interconnected in such a way as to be secured and deployable and to provide, whatever the level of deployment thereof, all of the functions for protecting the rail against any type of aggression via a locking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Antar Daouk
  • Patent number: 11014676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight aircraft passenger seat assembly (1), comprising: at least one seat shell (2) having a seat pan (21) and a seat back (22) which are rigidly connected with each other. For offering more comfort to the passengers while still providing the advantages of a minimalistic lightweight design, the lightweight aircraft passenger seat assembly (1) according to the invention further comprises a backrest portion (3) which is movable in relation to the seat shell (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Mirus Aircraft Seating Ltd.
    Inventors: Duncan Bell, Phil Hall, Rocco Passari
  • Patent number: 10981528
    Abstract: An occupancy sensor is provided for detecting the occupancy status of a wheeled mobility device securement system. The occupancy sensor may additionally confirm adequate “tightness” of the wheeled mobility device securement system and/or provide an indication of the magnitude of “tightness.” In one embodiment, the occupancy sensor comprises a spring-loaded follower that breaks the straight-line path of a wheeled mobility device tie down as it travels between two touch points. The follower is displaceable from an extended position to a compressed position in response to the magnitude of tension applied to the tie down. Proximity sensors are used to detect the displacement distance of the follower, thereby providing an indication of occupancy, adequate securement, and/or the magnitude of tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Valeda Company, LLC
    Inventors: Damian Jackson, Edgardo Cardona
  • Patent number: 10919416
    Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a module and a support to couple the module to the vehicle comprising a mechanism. The module may move from an unlocked position to a locked position to secure the module to the vehicle. The mechanism may adjust between an open state and a closed state securing the module to the vehicle. The support may comprise a member and the module may comprise a hook to engage the member; the hook may rotate about the member as the module moves to the locked position. The component may comprise a cover moveable from a closed position to cover the mechanism to an open position to uncover the mechanism. The cover may move in response to engagement and disengagement of the hook with the member. The module may comprise a pin to adjust the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Hodgson, Jiunn Tyng Chen
  • Patent number: 10843590
    Abstract: A release lever assembly configured to unlock a lock mechanism of a seat assembly is provided. The release lever assembly may include a lever arm, a cable, and an indicator device. The lever arm may be pivotally connected to the seat assembly. The cable may include a first end that is configured to be fixed to the lever arm and a second end that is configured to be connected to the lock mechanism. The indicator device may extend from the first end of the cable so that when the release lever assembly is mounted on the seat assembly, the lever arm is rotatable to unlock the lock mechanism, and the indicator device is configured to extend out of an aperture defined by the seat assembly when the lock is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Schulz, Marian Kubatka, Christian Ruthmann, Jörg Sternberg
  • Patent number: 10822093
    Abstract: An adapter rail system for mounting objects to a floor rail in a vehicle includes an elongate adapter rail element, an arresting element and a movement rail element. The adapter rail element has a surface contour having regularly consecutively arranged neckings and widenings, which surface contour corresponds to an opening contour of a floor rail, which includes regularly consecutively arranged grid openings, which are penetrated by a slit. The adapter rail element has protrusions extending perpendicular to the plane spanned by the surface contour and are each arranged in the region of a necking. The arresting element has a surface contour corresponding to the opening contour of at least one grid opening. The arresting element is dimensioned to be flush between two adjacent protrusions of the adapter rail element onto the adapter rail element. The movement rail element is connectable with the protrusions of the adapter rail element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Claus-Peter Gross, Lars Schomacker, Sven Jansen, Patrick Rollfink
  • Patent number: 10787263
    Abstract: A seat assembly for an aircraft is disclosed. The seat assembly includes a seat frame, a track and a track lock assembly slidably connecting the seat frame to the track. The track lock assembly includes a track foot body configured for sliding translation within the track, a pin member having a first end configured for threaded engagement with the track foot body and a second end, and a plunger configured for sliding engagement with the pin member between the first end and the second end and for locking engagement with the track lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: GOODRICH
    Inventors: Rob Jacobson, Vincent Michael Bournonville
  • Patent number: 10773608
    Abstract: A lightweight, attachable and detachable vehicle seat removal, transport, and reinstallation apparatus is disclosed, including a chassis, casters mounted to the chassis, a seat rear support pin coupled to the chassis for engaging a seat rear attachment of the vehicle seat, and a locking forward pin attached to the chassis for engaging a forward seat attachment of the vehicle seat. A method of vehicle seat removal is disclosed, including positioning one or more seat skates behind a seat such that the seat skates are aligned with vehicle seat attachment means, rotating the vehicle seat upward, rolling the one or more seat skates forward such that the one or more seat skates straddle respective vehicle seat attachment means, rotating the one or more seat skates upward, latching rear seat attachments of the vehicle seat to seat rear support pins of the seat skates, and lowering the vehicle seat for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Jon Koehler, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon F. Koehler, Charles E. Eggers
  • Patent number: 10730629
    Abstract: A stop for an aircraft seat is designed to be installed on a rail, said rail having, in alternation, bearing regions, in which two lips that are oriented toward one another project toward the interior of the rail, and open regions. The stop includes a body provided with a plunger which is designed to fit into an open region in said rail so as to abut against lips of a bearing region, and at least one means for holding the stop on said rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats
    Inventor: Nicolas Aury
  • Patent number: 10723242
    Abstract: A dismountable seat assembly for attaching to an anchoring component of a vehicle includes an individual back hingeably attached to an individual seat, an attaching component and an emergency connecting component. The emergency connecting component connects at least a part of the individual seat which is attached to the individual back to the attaching component in a detachable way, so that the individual back and the at least part of the individual seat attached to the individual back are detachable together from the attaching component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: INNOVATION & SAFETY, S.L.
    Inventors: Sergio De Rico Herrero, Glecia Nogueira Da Silva
  • Patent number: 10569110
    Abstract: A frame, one or more wheels rotationally attached to the frame, two or more end feet attached to opposite ends of the frame, one or more end safety tether attachments, and a flip-pole attachment. The frame straddles the roof peak so the end feet are stably positioned on opposite roof surfaces. The wheels enable the device, when flipped to its inverted position, to be rolled up and down the roof for installation and removal. The flip-pole attachment enables attachment of a flip pole for use in installing and removing the device from a ladder. And the end tether attachments enable workers to couple their safety tethers to the secured device so that if they fall their fall will be arrested for safety. Typical embodiments include an outrigger assembly with roof-mounting side feet that in a pivoted use position are offset from the frame end feet for improved stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Vince Gaines, Thomas Stewart
  • Patent number: 10549671
    Abstract: A seat locking system for selectively locking a pivotable seat in a retracted position and in an extended position. The seat locking system includes a lock and a pivotable locking pawl adapted to selectively engage the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventor: James S. Smith
  • Patent number: 10549670
    Abstract: A seat locking system for locking selectively a pivotable seat in a retracted position and in an extended position. The seat locking system includes a lock and a pivotable locking pawl adapted to selectively engage the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventor: James S. Smith
  • Patent number: 10518887
    Abstract: Example devices for the rapid attachment of a track mounted product to a track and methods of use are described herein. An example device includes an elongated member having a flange and a body. A first side of the body includes a protruding lip extending from at least a portion of the body between the first end and the second end of the elongated member. The device also includes a first alignment bore coupled to the first side of the flange between the first end and the second end of the elongated member. The device also includes a first boss extending from a second side of the body between the first end and the second end of the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roland D. Mair, Russell W. Keck
  • Patent number: 10500983
    Abstract: A locking unit (10) for a vehicle seat (1) includes a pawl (80) which is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position and has a retaining contour (27) for securing a locking pin (12) in the closed position. At least one claw (90, 91, 92) is mounted pivotably about the same pivot axis in a manner offset in the axial direction with respect to the pawl (80). The claw (90, 91, 92) has a closing contour (25). The pawl (80) is pivotable from the open position into the closed position by the closing contour (25) being acted upon by the locking pin (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Peter Mueller, Andreas Vedder, Volker Windecker, Richard Haensel, Stefan Haber, Silke Labuk, Oezkan Demirci, Igor Gordeenko, Patrick Handl, Uwe Moeller, Christina Jungblut
  • Patent number: 10479224
    Abstract: An assembly called an adapter base allows for replacement of an original equipment seat with a non-original equipment seat in a vehicle by reuse of original equipment seat legs with horizontally oriented fasteners to a non-original equipment seat configured for vertical oriented fasteners. The method involves removing the original seat to make the original equipment seat legs then available for attachment to an adapter base which allows for secure installation of non-original seats in various configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Miguel Loza
  • Patent number: 10427551
    Abstract: An assembly called an adapter base allows for replacement of an original equipment seat with a non-original equipment seat in a vehicle by reuse of original equipment seat legs with horizontally oriented fasteners to a non-original equipment seat configured for vertical oriented fasteners. The method involves removing the original seat to make the original equipment seat legs then available for attachment to an adapter base which allows for secure installation of non-original seats in various configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Miguel Loza
  • Patent number: 10384569
    Abstract: A power transfer seat base includes a top fixed plate having a fixed stop attached to an upper surface thereof, a rotating plate mounted on the top fixed plate, the rotating plate having a rotating stop attached to a bottom surface thereof, and a user control interface box mounting bracket mounted on the rotating plate. An operating control having a rotation control switch and a directional control switch disposed on a user control interface box body that is mounted on the mounting bracket. The rotating plate is configured so that the rotating stop and the mounting bracket may be connected to the rotating plate at different positions. The power transfer seat also includes a mounting system that is configured to be connected to the base at different locations in a fore/aft direction and at different locations in a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ricon Corp.
    Inventors: Stanton D. Saucier, Lluno Cervera
  • Patent number: 10259362
    Abstract: A seat trim assembly includes first and second seat trim members sized to be received upon a cross member of a seat back frame, and to each support a portion of a back of an occupant. The first seat trim member includes a first fastener arrangement. The second seat trim member includes a second fastener arrangement sized to engage the first fastener arrangement. The first fastener arrangement is oriented so that the first seat trim member can only be assembled to the cross member at an angle relative to the second seat trim member that is radially offset about the cross member from a fully assembled orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Carl Penn
  • Patent number: 10259585
    Abstract: A seat fitting connects an aircraft seat to a floor rail of an aircraft. The seat fitting comprises a vertically oriented pin, a web connected to the pin and a first holding body which projects in the lateral direction with respect to the web. The holding body is configured in order to engage behind a lip of the floor rail. The seat fitting further comprises a tensioning element in order to tension the holding body in the vertical direction against the lip of the floor rail. The seat fitting comprises a second holding body projecting in the lateral direction and having a spacing of an inch from the first holding body in the longitudinal direction, and that the pin is arranged with an offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the first holding body and the second holding body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Bishop GmbH
    Inventor: Oumarou Sodore
  • Patent number: 10259365
    Abstract: An articulating locking mechanism includes a support bracket with an upwardly opening receiving slot having an open top portion and closed bottom portion. A spring member is coupled to the support bracket at a mounting portion and includes a ramp portion disposed adjacent to the receiving slot. A pivot member includes a pivot bushing and a rotating mounting shaft extending outwardly from the pivot bushing. The pivot bushing is received in the receiving slot of the support bracket, and is retained by the ramp portion of the spring member when the pivot bushing is fully seated in the receiving slot of the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan D. Warju, II, Mark Caye, Peter Kennedy, Michael Kryzaniwskyj, Khaled Ayyash, Kurt Kormos
  • Patent number: 10207610
    Abstract: An articulating locking mechanism includes a support bracket having a receiving slot and a retaining flange. A pivot member is received in the receiving slot. A retainer member includes a hook portion that is coupled to the pivot member at a first end of the retainer member along an outer surface of the support bracket. The retainer member is operable between at-rest and flexed positions. A second end of the retainer member retains the retainer member in the flexed position by engaging a retaining flange extending outwardly from an inner surface of the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Caye
  • Patent number: 10173779
    Abstract: Arrangements for safety and comfort in vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 10076976
    Abstract: A seat pedestal includes an open base upon which a plate assembly is mounted for translational movement upon the base. The plate assembly includes a bottom plate, a seat mount for supporting a seat, and a bearing means between the bottom plate and the seat mount to permit the seat mount to rotate. One lock releasably secures the plate assembly in the driving position and another, which is self-actuating, releases the seat mount so that it can rotate freely when it is in the resting position. A stop carried by the seat mount defines a range in which the seat may be rotated. At least one pair of interlocking members couples the seat mount with the bottom plate to transfer lateral loads born by the seat to the base. The bottom plate, the bearing means, and the seat mount have concentric openings through which wires may pass for accessories such as power/heated seats, headrests, and computer screens and related accoutrements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Roeglin, Hari Sunkara, Allan McGuire
  • Patent number: 10052974
    Abstract: A mounting tile is utilized for mounting a vehicle seat to a vehicle floor. A method for mounting a vehicle seat using the mounting tile includes affixing angle iron to the side edges of the floor, affixing a layer of metal plating on top of the angle iron, affixing one or more mounting tiles to the metal plating, positioning filler material between the one or more mounting tiles, positioning a floor covering over the mounting tiles and filler material, aligning the fastener elements of the vehicle seat structure with apertures in the mounting tile, and attaching the fastener elements and the seat to the mounting tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Freedman Seating Company
    Inventors: Samuel P. Cardone, Matthew C. Kerr
  • Patent number: 9919620
    Abstract: A removable seat for a motor vehicle includes two hook fasteners for removably attaching the seat to front strikers that are rotatable about a lateral axis through the front strikers. A bar extends between the first hook fastener and the second hook fastener that is parallel to the lateral axis. The bar contacts the cover to prevent further rotation when the seat is rotated about the lateral axis to prevent over-rotation of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter A Supernavage, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Jeffrey H Scheurer, II
  • Patent number: 9884571
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back and seat cushion connected to the seat back, the seat back and seat cushion being retractable to a retraction floor disposed lower than a vehicle body floor, is described. The vehicle seat includes: a support base connected to the vehicle body floor, disposed below the seat cushion, and pivotally connected to a lower end of the seat back; a detachable leg having an upper end attached to the seat cushion and lower end connectable to the support base; a leg retaining member attached to the support base to detachably retain the lower end of the detachable leg; and a base cover that covers the support base. The leg retaining member is disposed at a rear side of a front end of a portion of the base cover in a front to back direction of the seat to cover the support base from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Akutsu, Daisuke Kitagawa, Taro Murayama
  • Patent number: 9855866
    Abstract: A step garnish for a rail and carrier seat system for motor vehicle is disclosed. The rail and carrier seat system includes two rails fixedly attached to and positioned laterally along a floor of the motor vehicle, a carrier laterally slidable within the rails, a handle attached to a laterally exterior side of the carrier, and a seat attached to the carrier. The step garnish includes an inner step garnish portion, the inner step garnish portion being installed below the handle on the carrier, the inner step garnish having an exposed portion; and an outer step garnish portion, the outer step garnish portion including a cut out clearance shape for being installed from above the handle, the cut out clearance shape having a shape substantially similar to the exposed portion of the inner step garnish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Barrow, Jason R Dilley, Jeffrey H Scheurer, II, Renata Massone Okawa
  • Patent number: 9809134
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a striker pin that is mounted to either a vehicle floor or a seat bottom. A latch assembly is mounted to the other of the vehicle floor and the seat bottom, and is configured to engage the striker pin. A pivot bracket assembly includes a first bracket member that is attached to the seat bottom and pivotally attached to a second bracket member which is fixedly mounted to the vehicle floor. One or both of the first bracket of the pivot bracket assembly and the latch plate of the latch assembly is movable relative to the vehicle floor and the seat bottom to facilitate alignment of the opening in the latch plate with the striker pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Mahendra Raja K
  • Patent number: 9783079
    Abstract: A mounting tile for mounting a vehicle seat to a vehicle floor comprises at least two tubular members having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and a U-shaped channel having apertures that may include weld nuts for receiving fastener elements protruding from the bottom of the vehicle seat structure. A method for mounting a vehicle seat using the mounting tile includes affixing angle iron to the side edges of the floor, affixing a layer of metal plating on top of the angle iron, affixing one or more mounting tiles to the metal plating, positioning filler material between the one or more mounting tiles, positioning a floor covering over the mounting tiles and filler material, aligning the fastener elements of the vehicle seat structure with apertures in the mounting tile, and attaching the fastener elements and the seat to the mounting tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Freedman Seating Company
    Inventors: Samuel P. Cardone, Matthew C. Kerr
  • Patent number: 9694715
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a removable vehicle seat having a front latch, a rear latch, and a seat mounting bracket adapted to be coupled to a vehicle floor. The front latch includes a striker receiving slot having a slot width, and the seat mounting bracket includes a front and rear striker, where the front striker is configured to be received in the receiving slot. The front striker includes an engagement portion having a flat, angled engagement surface in cross-section. In an installation position of the seat, the front latch receives the engagement portion with the engagement surface being substantially parallel to the receiving slot thereby providing for a clearance fit. In an installed position of the seat, the receiving slot is angled relative to the engagement surface such that the front striker engages opposing walls of the receiving slot thereby establishing an interference fit between the striker and front latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael P Gebauer, Jason Bahlman, Sumit Mathur
  • Patent number: 9637026
    Abstract: A mounting tile for mounting a vehicle seat to a vehicle floor comprises at least two tubular members having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and a U-shaped channel having apertures that may include weld nuts for receiving fastener elements protruding from the bottom of the vehicle seat structure. A method for mounting a vehicle seat using the mounting tile includes affixing angle iron to the side edges of the floor, affixing a layer of metal plating on top of the angle iron, affixing one or more mounting tiles to the metal plating, positioning filler material between the one or more mounting tiles, positioning a floor covering over the mounting tiles and filler material, aligning the fastener elements of the vehicle seat structure with apertures in the mounting tile, and attaching the fastener elements and the seat to the mounting tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Freedman Seating Company
    Inventors: Samuel P. Cardone, Matthew C. Kerr
  • Patent number: 9616843
    Abstract: The embodiment described and claimed herein are improved barrier-type wheelchair securement systems. In particular, one embodiment of a barrier includes an integral shoulder belt assembly, two integral wheelchair restraint assemblies, and two integral lap belt assemblies. The wheelchair restraint and lap belt assemblies comprise retractors which can be mounted external or internal to the barrier. The integral shoulder belt assembly could be connected to a vertical telescoping member which is movable from a first position, wherein the telescoping member is housed inside of the barrier, to a second position, wherein the shoulder belt assembly is disposed at a proper height for a wheelchair passenger. Alternatively, the shoulder belt assembly could be rigidly mounted to the barrier in a fixed position, or could be adjustable to accommodate passengers of varying size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Valeda Company LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Girardin, Eric Girardin, Joe Esteireiro
  • Patent number: 9610882
    Abstract: The vehicle wheelchair restraint system provides a first belt and a second belt with which to anchor both a wheelchair and a wheelchair passenger against movement within a vehicle. In typical use, the first belt is removably hooked to a liner mount or a right angle mount. The first belt is passed through a part of a first side of the wheelchair and across the passenger's lap. The first belt is either wrapped around a part on a second side of the wheelchair and hooked back to itself, or hooked to the wheelchair. The first belt is properly tensioned by a strap ratchet. The second belt is hooked to a mount and to the second side of the wheelchair. The second belt is adjustably tensioned by a belt buckle, with which the second belt first end is hooked to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Darrell Heard
  • Patent number: 9481272
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a latch assembly includes a seat cushion defining a transverse axis along a side-to-side direction of the seat cushion. The seat cushion is pivotally attached to the vehicle, and the latch assembly is attached to the seat cushion. The latch assembly includes a latch that has a latch position attaching the seat cushion to the vehicle at the latch assembly, and a release position releasing the seat cushion from the vehicle at the latch assembly. The latch assembly also includes a slider arrangement configured to facilitate pivotal movement of at least a portion of the latch assembly inboard toward a center line of the seat cushion and generally along the transverse axis. Such movement automatically occurs when the latch releases the seat cushion from the vehicle at the latch assembly and the seat assembly is pivoted forward about the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Andrzej Dlugokecki
  • Patent number: 9475406
    Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle seat has a catch which is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a second axis and is intended for locking a mating element, and has a clamping eccentric which is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a first axis, between a locking position and an unlocking position and secures a locked state of the catch by interaction with a first functional surface of the catch. In the locked state, the clamping eccentric acts on the first functional surface via a clamping surface. An unlocking element is mounted such that it can be pivoted about the second axis by an actuating device, counter to a spring force, out of a locking position into an unlocking position. The unlocking element and the clamping eccentric have arranged between them a bias spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter Mueller, Volker Windecker, Stefan Haber, Kadir Yasaroglu, Silke Labuk
  • Patent number: 9260038
    Abstract: A floor lock for a motor vehicle seat for detachably connecting the motor vehicle seat to the vehicle floor, has a locking pawl adjustable between a locked position and an unlocked position and a control pawl, which fixes the position of the locking pawl, is in operative connection with the locking pawl and is adjustable relative to the latter between a closed position and an open position. The locked position of the locking pawl is secured by a securing pawl arranged in a secured position, the securing pawl being in operative connection with the locking pawl and being adjustable by the latter between the secured position and a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Thiex, Michael Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9227537
    Abstract: A seat buffering device and a vehicle safety seat including the seat buffering device are provided. The seat buffering device is disposed on a base of the vehicle safety seat. The seat buffering device includes a reinforcing component and at least one concave structure. The reinforcing component is disposed inside the base, and the reinforcing component has a plurality of lateral surfaces. The at least one concave structure is formed on one of the plurality of lateral surfaces. The reinforcing component is adapted to be bent via the at least one concave structure when the base is impacted, so as to reduce impact force applied to the base. Buffering efficiency of the reinforcing component corresponds to the amount, the arrangement, and the angle of the concave structure. The plurality of concave structures is disposed on the same or different lateral surfaces of the reinforcing component in the interlaced arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Chin-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 9119483
    Abstract: A child restraint system includes an infant carrier and a base adapted to be mounted on a passenger seat in a vehicle in a vehicle mode. The infant carrier is also configured to be mounted on a stroller frame in a stroller mode. The infant carrier includes a seat shell and a carrying handle coupled to the seat shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan W Heisey
  • Publication number: 20150137547
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a vehicle seatback stabilization device includes a seatback stabilization portion to be connected to a seatback, and a vehicle body connection portion including an aperture to receive a connector of a vehicle body load-bearing structure. The seatback stabilization portion may include first and second stabilization panels positioned with an angle relative to each other. The vehicle body connection portion may extend away from the second stabilization panel such that the second stabilization panel is positioned between the first stabilization panel and the vehicle body connection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: BIN CAI, CHONG DENG, ZHEBING SHEN
  • Publication number: 20150136934
    Abstract: The invention related to a locking device (1), particularly for a vehicle sent, which comprises a retainer region (5) for receiving a counter element (6), a catch (3) which can be pivoted between a locking position that locks the counter element in said retainer region, and an unlocking position, and a compensation element (9) that can be pivoted between a contact position for tensioning the counter element in the direction of the retainer region and a release position for releasing said counter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Igor Gordeenko
  • Patent number: 8991918
    Abstract: A child seat attachment structure comprising a lower anchor comprising a fixing portion that is fixed to a configuration member configuring a vehicle body or a vehicle seat, a leg portion that extends from the fixing portion towards a vehicle top side, and a coupling portion that is provided at an upper end portion of the leg portion and that fixes a child seat to the vehicle body or the vehicle seat by connecting to a connector of the child seat; and a contacted portion that restricts displacement of the coupling portion of the lower anchor towards a vehicle front side with respect to the fixing portion by making contact with a portion of the lower anchor when the child seat fixed to the vehicle body or the vehicle seat has moved towards the vehicle front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakakita, Shoji Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8991778
    Abstract: A vehicle seat anchorage (22) assembly employs a cam (34) mounted in an anchorage member (24) for rotation about an axis transverse of the anchorage member between: an unlocked position (FIG. 17A) in which the cam allows a pair of locking members (70 and 72) to assume their unlocked positions, and a locked position (FIG. 17B) in which the cam pushes down on inner portions (82) of the locking members so that outer portions (84) of the locking members assume their locked positions engaging under lips (12) of an anchorage rail (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Koller Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Max Arnold Koller
  • Publication number: 20150076865
    Abstract: An anchorage device for anchoring a portable seat is disclosed. The anchorage device includes a shackle with two legs and a mounting plate equipped with two sockets receiving end of the legs. The shackle and mounting plate are laser welded in such a manner that the legs of the shackle are directly connected to the mounting plate and lie at the most surface-flush with the bottom side of the mounting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Bernd Pohl, Franz-Josef Ringel
  • Patent number: 8973884
    Abstract: An improved lower anchor strap tension adjusting mechanism for varying tension in a restraint connected to a vehicle. The mechanism comprises first and second adjuster ends and a length of web spanning therebetween. One end of the web is attached to one of the adjuster ends. A guide is provided on one or both adjuster ends enabling the web to be looped around the guide(s) and between the ends in multiple passes. A web lock device is connected one of the ends to engage the web and allow the length of the web spanning between the first and second adjuster portions to be fixed. The number of loops of web spanning between the adjuster ends determines the mechanical advantage in the tension force applied to the anchor strap by the adjuster compared to the tension applied to the free end, improving ease and security of safety seat installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Joshua D. Stuckey, Michael L. Longenecker
  • Publication number: 20150041611
    Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle seat has a catch which is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a second axis and is intended for locking a mating element, and has a clamping eccentric which is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a first axis, between a locking position and an unlocking position and secures a locked state of the catch by interaction with a first functional surface of the catch. In the locked state, the clamping eccentric acts on the first functional surface via a clamping surface. An unlocking element is mounted such that it can be pivoted about the second axis by an actuating device, counter to a spring force, out of a locking position into an unlocking position. The unlocking element and the clamping eccentric have arranged between them a bias spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Mueller, Volker Windecker, Stefan Haber, Kadir Yasaroglu, Silke Labuk