Fluid Spring Patents (Class 248/631)
  • Patent number: 6616116
    Abstract: A pneumatic motor vehicle seat, whose static height is held constant independently of the weight of the respective seat occupant. The inventive device provides a magnetically actuated air valve (16) which is enclosed 20 in a plastic valve housing for aerating and deaerating the pneumatic valve. The air valve is controlled by an external permanent magnet and according operates, quietly, cleanly and with little wear. Also a motor vehicle seat includes an integrated height adjustment mechanism, comprising a control system which automatically and simultaneously dampens the vehicle seat vibrations to a maximum, whilst the static height is being adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Isringhausen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Rochau, Reiner Lieker
  • Patent number: 6585214
    Abstract: An extended travel lift system including a support frame and a display device frame. First and second arms are connected at first ends thereof by a hinge connector. A second end of the first arm is pivotally attached to a first slide mechanism on the support frame and a second end of the second arm is pivotally attached to the support frame. Third and fourth arms are connected at first ends thereof by the hinge connector. A second end of the third arm is pivotally attached to a second slide mechanism on the display device frame and a second end of the fourth arm is pivotally attached to the display device frame. A biasing mechanism is provided to bias the display device frame to an extended position. A height control mechanism is provided to retain the display device frame in either a retracted position or the extended position. The first and second arms are typically located in a first plane and the third and fourth arms are located in a second plane parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Chief Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventor: Jay Dittmer
  • Publication number: 20030085333
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting device for supporting substrates in a component placement machine comprising a housing (1), a piston rod (5) arranged in the housing so as to be movable in its longitudinal direction in the housing (1) by pressurized fluid and having one end extending outside the housing (1) and a locking mechanism (7 to 9) by which displacement of the piston rod (5) in its longitudinal direction can be prevented. The locking mechanism (7 to 9) comprises clamping means (8) movable by adjusting means (7) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the piston rod (5) between an active position for blocking the piston rod (5) and an idle position in which the piston rod (5) is movable in its longitudinal direction. The clamping means (8) have been arranged in the housing (1) so that in the active position said clamping means (8) directly engage the piston rod (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Petrus Godefriedus Van Der Vorst
  • Patent number: 6547225
    Abstract: A pneumatic isolator for isolating payloads from vibrations consisting of a vertical isolator suspended from pendulum wires. A second downward-facing piston prevents changes in barometric pressure from generating disturbing forces on the isolated payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Technical Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Peter G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6533230
    Abstract: The invention provides a one-piece mounting bracket for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle, a vehicle damper assembly, and a method for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle. The one-piece mounting bracket includes a body having first and second opposing portions; the body portions include at least one opening formed therein. The bracket further includes a plurality of straps operably attached adjacent end portions of the first and second body portions. The bracket is adapted for operable attachment to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly with a plurality of proximate welds. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube, and a one-piece mounting bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube with a plurality of proximate welds. The mounting method includes providing a one-piece mounting bracket, attaching the bracket to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly by a proximate welding process, and attaching the bracket to the knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Fullenkamp, Sebastian Kaffanke, Piotr A. Kos, Robert J. Wittman, Jr., Chad M. Ehresman, James R. Waag
  • Publication number: 20030006358
    Abstract: Object-support column includes an end unit, a guide tube which has a nominal diameter, and end having an end diameter which is smaller than the nominal diameter, and a transition-length portion extending from the nominal diameter to the end diameter, the end being connected to the end unit. A pneumatic tube surrounds the guide tube and the end unit, the pneumatic tube having a conical section with a diameter reduction surrounding the end unit. Alternatively, a guide portion of the guide tube may be supported radially on the inner wall of the pneumatic tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Thurmann, Stephan Enders
  • Publication number: 20030001067
    Abstract: A vibration isolator that has an elastomer which couples a support plate to a piston. The elastomer can provide horizontal damping of a payload that is coupled to the support plate. The piston can move within a first housing inner chamber that is in fluid communication with a second housing inner chamber. The chambers are pressurized with air that can flow to dampen vertical movement of the piston. The vibration isolator of the present invention thus provides both vertical and horizontal damping without using any oils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Ryaboy, Worthington B. Houghton, JR, Herman B. Keil
  • Patent number: 6494422
    Abstract: A length-adjustable column for chairs or the like comprises an upright tube with a longitudinal axis and a piston-and-cylinder unit radially supported and displaceably guided in the direction of the longitudinal axis. A lengthwise end of the piston-and-cylinder unit is locked by an axial bearing on a base plate of the upright tube in the axial direction. For this purpose, the axial bearing is axially fixed to the lengthwise end of the piston-and-cylinder unit. The axial bearing has at least two locking arms which lock it to the base plate of the upright tube, and a securing bolt which is pushed by the piston-and-cylinder unit between the locking arms to secure the locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Sauer, Reiner Weber
  • Patent number: 6474619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tube guide for a column unit, and more particularly to a tube guide for a column unit which can smoothly move a spindle upward and downward by forming a plurality of ribs on the inside surface of the tube guide which guides a spindle which has a multilateral cross-section and which can smoothly accomplish the broaching. The tube guide has a hexagonal inside surface. Two inside ribs are formed on each surface along the axial direction. Since the upward and downward movements of the spindle reduce the contacting area, the frictional force is remarkably reduced and the spindle is smoothly moved upward and downward. Further, only one surface of the inside rib needs to be broached, the broaching area is remarkably reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Samhongsa Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Kwan Ma
  • Patent number: 6471178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a substantially tubular inner part (10) and a fluid-impermeable piston (4) stored therein. The base (41) of the piston (4) and a seal (70) form a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Cabex AG
    Inventor: Peter Del Conte
  • Publication number: 20020126444
    Abstract: A system and method for providing one or more detachable components for a computer system are disclosed. The system and method allow for simplified customization of a user's computer system. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a housing component at least partially defining an exterior surface of the computer system. The housing component may have at least one mounting finger, which may be a pin like protrusion or an elongated and flat extension. The mounting finger may extend from the housing component and be formed to define a locking shoulder. The system may also include a detachable component having a mounting tab. The mounting tab may interact with the locking shoulder to releasably couple the detachable component to the housing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Orin M. Ozias, Thomas L. Bentley, David H. Titzler, Thijs J. Gerlings, Lawrence E. Davis
  • Patent number: 6439662
    Abstract: A spindle base which constitutes a height regulating device of a chair, and it is an object of the present invention to improve the corrosion resistance, the abrasion resistance, the fatigue strength, and the reverse bending stress of the spindle body by coating a nitration layer of a predetermined thickness on the inner and outer surfaces of the spindle base. A height regulating device gas comprises a spindle base, a cylinder formed in the spindle base, a piston slidably moved in the cylinder, and a spindle having a piston rod having one end connected to the piston. The other end of the piston rod is fixed to one end of an outer case and the spindle is moved upward and downward through the outer case based on the piston rod and the outer case. The spindle base is comprised of a metal and nitration layers are formed on the inner and outer surface of the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Samhongsa Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Kwan Ma
  • Patent number: 6361110
    Abstract: A tilt control mechanism for an office chair includes a spring arrangement which permits forward and rearward tilting of the chair while also urging the chair to a normal upright position. The spring arrangement includes front and rear springs which act in combination such that the upward acting forces acting on the chair can be varied during use. The forces being applied by the front spring are adjusted by a side-actuated tension adjustment mechanism which incorporates a wedge block for adjusting the spring forces. Further, the rear springs provide a variable spring force such that the spring force is maximized when in the normal position but is decreased substantially once the chair is fully reclined. This reduction in spring force allows a user to maintain the chair in the fully reclined position with significantly less force than was required to tilt the chair rearwardly while a sufficient spring force continues to be applied by the front spring to urge the chair to the normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Patrick Nelson, Larry Allen Wilkerson, Troy Roark, Joel Dral, Steve Simpson, John Clark
  • Patent number: 6343556
    Abstract: An adjustable height table includes a base frame, a slider frame assembly, a generally planar support surface and a lifting mechanism. The main portion of the base frame is formed by welding three tubular components to form an H-shape. Each of the end portions of the H-shape include a mounting to support a swiveling locking castor. Above each castor there extends from the H-shaped main portion, a vertically extending tubular post. The slider frame assembly also includes an H-shaped main portion formed of three tubular members. Four vertically extending hollow tubular column members are attached to the H-frame so that they may telescopingly engage the four vertically extending posts of the base frame. A generally planar support surface is attached to the top of the four vertically extending columns located on the slider frame. Located between the central tube of the H portion of the base frame and central tube of the slider frame assembly, there is located a lifting mechanism, preferably a hydraulic jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: John S. Lanphear
  • Publication number: 20010028548
    Abstract: In order to provide a keyboard device in which a pad used as a palmrest can be stored in the main body, a lock member and an operating segment are integrally formed by a resin resilient member. An engaging segment is formed at the extremity end of a resilient piece constituting a part of the resilient member, the engaging segment is inserted into an engaging hole formed at the pad and it is locked with the pad stored in a notch. Releasing of the locked state is performed such that the resilient member is resiliently deformed while the operating segment is pressed and then the engaged state between the engaging segment and the engaging hole is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Oura, Akio Nishijima
  • Publication number: 20010025906
    Abstract: A length-adjustable column for chairs or the like comprises an upright tube with a longitudinal axis and a piston-and-cylinder unit radially supported and displaceably guided in the direction of the longitudinal axis. A lengthwise end of the piston-and-cylinder unit is locked by means of an axial bearing on a base plate of the upright tube in the axial direction. For this purpose, the axial bearing is axially fixed to the lengthwise end of the piston-and-cylinder unit. The axial bearing has at least two locking arms which lock it to the base plate of the upright tube, and a securing bolt which is pushed by the piston-and-cylinder unit between the locking arms to secure the locking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Sauer, Reiner Weber
  • Patent number: 6296221
    Abstract: A seat suspension system having a seat cradle, a seat mounted in the seat cradle and an anchor body having a plain rectangular box-like shape disposed behind the backrest portion of the seat. A pair of spaced-apart plain parallel anchor plates encloses the anchor body. There are also provided two pairs of spaced-apart parallel bars each having spaced-apart first and second ends, the first ends being movably connected to the anchor body and the second ends being movable connected to the seat cradle for allowing a movement of the seat cradle relative to the anchor body. An air bellows is mounted inside the anchor body. The air bellows has an upper end connected to the seat cradle and a lower end connected to the anchor body. A variety of attachment kits may be affixed to the anchor plates for mounting the seat suspension system to different models of industrial vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Jacques Nadeau
  • Patent number: 6276756
    Abstract: A height adjusting assembly for chairs. The assembly includes a first member having a taper holder positioned near an opening/closing pin and a taper arm engaged with the taper holder so as to push the opening/closing pin. A second member having a case, a lead arm engaged with the case and a button which operates the lead arm. A third member having a wire in which one end is connected to the taper arm and the other end is connected to the lead arm and a covering member in which one end is connected to the taper holder and the other end is connected to the case so that the wire is slidable in the covering member and the opening/closing pin is pushed by an operation of the taper arm which is engaged with the wire when the lead arm is operated by the button. The pushing force of the button can be controlled by the length of the taper arm and the rod arm. The height of a chair is adjusted easily and conveniently as the button is installed in the arm resting member of a chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Samhongsa Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Tae Cho, Song Hur
  • Patent number: 6264163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, which can normally move between a lower end position and an upper end position. The seat comprises a bellows for cushioning/dampening movements of the seat in a vertical direction and also a belt reel which together with a belt is capable of locking the position of the seat at an optional height between the end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: BE-GE Industri Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Torsten Ivarsson
  • Patent number: 6241437
    Abstract: A hexapodal machining center comprising a fixed frame (1) and a support (2) which are interconnected via six struts (3) of an adjustable length. The connecting points (T1, T2, T3) of three struts on the support form a first working plane, whereas a further working plane is formed by the connecting points (T4, T5, T6) of the three further struts on the support. The frame connection points (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6) of the struts are also arranged in two separate working planes. The connecting points of the two working planes of the support are superimposed such that the connecting lines of the superimposed pairs of connecting points (T1, T4; T2, T5; T3, T6) extend in parallel with each other. This allows a high degree of movability of the support in all of the six degrees of freedom. In particular, the movability in the three rotational degrees of freedom and the force receiving capacity of the support are optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Frank Wieland
  • Patent number: 6241209
    Abstract: A seat support includes first and second link members coupling a seat supporting member to a base. The second link member has a first end portion pivoted to the base at a first pivot axis and a second end portion pivoted to the seat supporting member at a second pivot axis. The first link member has a first end portion pivoted to the base at a third pivot axis and a second end portion pivoted to the seat supporting member at a fourth pivot axis. The distance between the third and fourth pivot axes is greater than the distance between the first and second pivot axes and may be from about twelve percent to about twenty percent greater. The location of the pivot axes may be expressed by the formula L<(S+R−B). In this formula, L is the distance between the first and second pivot axes; S is the distance between the second and fourth pivot axes; R is the distance between the third and fourth pivot axes; and B is the distance between the first and third pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Freightliner LLC
    Inventors: Michael von Mayenburg, Norman E. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 6241316
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas cylinder type height-adjusting apparatus of a swivel chair which has a simple structure and thereby can be manufactured at a low cost. In the apparatus, an actuating pin opens an orifice so that working fluid can flow from the first chamber through the second chamber into the third chamber when the actuating pin is pressed down, while the actuating pin blocks up the orifice when the actuating pin is not pressed down. The orifice is formed in an actuating pin socket manufactured by coating synthetic resin after an integral single forming of a single material. The first chamber is defined by an alternating piston which is manufactured by coating synthetic resin after an integral single forming of a single material. The shaft bearing member has a shape of a single annular ring whose upper and lower surfaces are curved surfaces curved with a predetermined curvature or tapered surfaces tapered at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Samhongsa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young S Jean, Baik H Sung, Ju D Kim, Jong G Lee, Young K Yoon
  • Patent number: 6202972
    Abstract: An improved seat suspension system including, in combination, an air spring and shock absorber, which comprise an air spring member and a shock absorber member, respectively. The air spring member and shock absorber member are longitudinally coupled to provide support and damping along a longitudinal axis. The air spring member and shock absorber member are coupled in a manner that enables them to be readily separated and independently serviced. A seat suspension also comprises a seat moveably coupled to a seat base that has a support structure. The combination air spring and shock absorber is interposed between the seat and the seat base to govern relative motion between the seat and the seat base. The combination air spring and shock absorber is rotationally coupled at each end to allow angular motion between the longitudinal axis of the combination air spring and shock absorber and the centerline of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Gabriel Ride Control Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bob Manavi
  • Patent number: 6199806
    Abstract: A longitudinally displaceable column includes a longitudinal adjusting unit which is supported on a base plate of a vertical tube. The adjusting unit has a rod that receives an axial bearing, which is interposed between the rod and the base plate so that the rod is rotatable relative to the base plate. The axial bearing is a sliding bearing that has a sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Sauer, Axel Knopp
  • Patent number: 6196515
    Abstract: A support system employing a load equalizing floating platform. The support system comprises four jacks 30 including opposed pairs of jacks for coupling to four respective supports. Each jack has a support rod with upper and lower pressure plates attached thereto that are disposed in a cavity to form first, second, third and fourth pressure chambers. Each of the first pressure chambers of all jacks are coupled together. Also, the respective second pressure chambers of jacks are coupled to the opposite jack third pressure chambers. Each of the fourth pressure chambers of all jacks are coupled together. The load equalizing floating platforms equalizes support forces and prevents rotation of the support system due to overturning moments at all support points. The system eliminates stresses and deformations in structures due to unequal support movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Enterline
  • Patent number: 6102354
    Abstract: A device for cushioning shocks is provided. A relatively unstable, collapsible elastomeric member which has guides integrally formed thereon, is surrounded by a guide sleeve which provides controlled deflection as well as damping for the elastomeric member. A piston is used to collapse the elastomeric member. The cush of the present invention can be utilized in hydraulic systems where an elastomeric bladder provides primary energy storage and in other applications where the cush of the present invention is the primary damper. This cush can be preloaded and, where desired, can be provided with the capability to adjust the preload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Richard P. Thorn
  • Patent number: 6059703
    Abstract: A device for numerically controlled (NC) manufacturing, manipulating and measuring apparatuses has a frame structure with peripheral force introduction locations and at least one movement unit with peripheral force introduction locations. At least three adjusting devices each having a first and a second part are provided. Each adjusting device has a first and a second connecting member positioned at a spacing to the first connecting member. The first parts are connected by the first connecting members to the force introduction locations of the movement unit, wherein these force introduction locations are positioned in a first imaginary coupling plane. The first parts are connected by the second connecting members to the force introduction locations of the frame structure, wherein these force introduction locations are positioned in a first imaginary coupling plane of the frame structure. The second parts are connected by the first connecting members to the movement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: Uwe Heisel, Martin Gringel
  • Patent number: 6056251
    Abstract: Adjustable-height column, especially for chairs, includes a guide tube and a pneumatic, selectively blockable piston-cylinder unit for height adjustment located in the guide tube. The piston sealingly subdivides the cylinder into two operational chambers. Beginning at a defined retracted setting of the piston-cylinder unit, the blocking function is compulsorily canceled, in that a fluid flow connection between the two operational spaces is established which overrides the blocking function. An additional spring element is placed in series with the piston-cylinder unit to prevent a sudden collapse of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Knopp, Elmar Keck
  • Patent number: 6015130
    Abstract: The hydraulic device for raising and lowering seat of the barber's chair has a main housing section and a lower section. A sliding plunger is slidably mounted in a sleeve extending between the lower section and the top cover of the main housing section. An oil pump is operative to force the oil contained with the main housing section into a channel in the lower section to the bottom of the sleeve for raising or lowering the sliding plunger. The seat of the barber's chair is mounted to the top of the sliding plunger. The joint between the lower section and the main housing section is permanently sealed with a metal compound by welding, brazing or soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Rudolf Kigel
  • Patent number: 6007044
    Abstract: An adjustable-length column for chairs or the like comprises an upright tube with a pneumatic or hydropneumatic length-adjusting element disposed therein. The latter's piston rod, in the vicinity of its free end, is flexibly snap-engaged with a bottom plate of the upright tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Suspa Compart Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Harrer
  • Patent number: 5992815
    Abstract: A height-adjustable column has a stationary tube that receives a height-changing mechanism, such as a pneumatic spring having a cylinder and a rod that are axially movable with respect to one another. A transmitting mechanism includes a movable member that is operatively associated with the rod and is movable in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the cylinder upon extension of the pneumatic spring when the pneumatic spring is in a predetermined lift zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Metzdorf, Axel Knopp
  • Patent number: 5988748
    Abstract: A front seat assembly having a seat bottom assembly and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom assembly. The seat bottom assembly includes a pair of fixed rails extending fore and aft and being laterally spaced across a vehicle from one another. Brackets are attached to the fixed rails for attachment to the vehicle. A slide rail is supported by each of the fixed rails for fore and aft movement relative to the fixed rails. Front and rear cross beams interconnect the slide rails for supporting a number of components. A support sheet, having a pair of openings, extends between and is supported by the cross beams. A seat pan, having a front section and a rear section, is disposed above the support sheet for supporting an occupant. A pair of projections are pivotally connected to and extend from the seat pan for sliding engagement within the pair of openings in the support sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald O. Morrison, Stephen Rybak, Richard Cramb, Russell Davidson
  • Patent number: 5882075
    Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for an automobile comprises a seat portion which is slidably mounted for movement between fore and aft adjusted positions within a passenger compartment of the automobile. A pair of elongated power screws under the seat portion adjust the fore and aft position of the seat assembly in response to a reversible rotary input from a universal motor. The seat portion includes a pair of internal air bladders which independently inflate and deflate to adjust the height and tilt of the seat portion. A backrest portion extends upwardly from the seat portion, and may include a pneumatic lumbar adjustment device and other contour-adjusting air bladders. The universal motor operates both the power screws and the pneumatic adjustment devices. A transmission is operatively connected to the universal motor for selectively transmitting reversible rotary input to the power screws and pressurized fluid to any one of the pneumatic adjustment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Partington, Andrew Massara, James Masters, David Fu
  • Patent number: 5871257
    Abstract: A self-leveling seat is provided including a vehicle having a seat with a horizontally oriented seat portion and a planar floor board. A tubular mounting frame includes a lower horizontal portion having a hollow cylindrical configuration. A pair of mounting brackets encompass the lower horizontal portion and are fixed to the floor board of the vehicle. A pair of upper vertical portions are each equipped with a hollow cylindrical configuration and have a bottom end connected to an associated end of the horizontal portion of the frame. The vertical portions extend upwardly therefrom to terminate at open top ends. The vertical portions are each in fluidic communication with the corresponding end of the horizontal portion. A pair of cylinders are each slidably situated within the top end of a corresponding one of the vertical portions of the frame and have a bottom end and a top end. The top end is coupled to a bottom surface of the seat portion of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Dundes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5857657
    Abstract: In a stand for medical instruments according to the present invention, a first coefficient of friction adapted between an outer circumferential surface of a sliding column and an inner circumferential surface of a bush is adapted to be smaller than a second coefficient of friction caused between an outer circumferential surface of the bush and an inner circumferential surface of a main pipe. This allows a stand for medical instruments which improves operationality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sugan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5829733
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing and height-adjusting assembly for mounting a seat onto the seat-supporting framework tubing of a bicycle frame. A standard, commercially available, adjustable-length gas spring (hydropneumatic spring), of the type used for the control column of adjustable height chairs, is slideably contained within a hollow receiver attached alongside or within a lower portion of the bicycle seat supporting framework to which the gas spring piston rod is affixed with the upper end of the gas spring in underlying contact with the lower end of a vertically extending elongated cylindrical seat supporting guide tube supported in alignment with the gas spring for axial and non-rotational movement within a bushing assembly affixed to the uppermost portion of the bicycle seat supporting framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: William R. Becker
  • Patent number: 5826935
    Abstract: A new automatic bicycle seat adjuster for adjusting a bicycle seat's height while riding. The inventive device includes a support tube slidably receivable within an existing seat support tube of a bicycle frame. The support tube has a generally elongated and cylindrical configuration with an open upper end and a closed lower end. A gas cylinder is received within the support tube. The gas cylinder has a lower end secured to the closed lower end of the support tube. The gas cylinder has a release valve extending upwardly from an upper end thereof with the release valve positioned outwardly of the open upper end of the support tube. A bicycle seat is adjustably secured with respect to the gas cylinder. A release lever is coupled with respect to the release valve of the gas cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Renato J. DeFreitas
  • Patent number: 5810320
    Abstract: A weight-balancing stand arrangement supports a sheet of material or the like and includes a bottom stand-part and a top stand-part. The top stand-part includes a horizontal beam provided with a horizontal guide surface. The guide surface coacts with widely spaced apart end portions of two guide rods, the opposite end-parts of which are placed closer together and are pivotally mounted on the bottom stand-part and coact with one or more devices which function to forcibly create a clear related rotational pattern for the two guide rods. The arrangement also includes spring devices which act between the bottom stand-part and at least one of the guide rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Kinnarps AB
    Inventor: Alf Claesson
  • Patent number: 5806828
    Abstract: Height adjustable object carrier column for use as a chair column of a revolving chair. The head area of the chair is moved back to a rest height and angular orientation with respect to the foot area of the chair upon relief of the chair load. The head area can be adjusted with respect to the foot area, by height adjustment apparatus, to different rest heights. Height adjustment is provided in the form of a hydraulic or a hydropneumatic or a spring-hydraulic or a pneumatic actuator with a cylinder assembly and a piston rod assembly which are coaxial to a telescope axis. The height adjustment apparatus includes internal biasing structure and first arbitrarily adjustable and second automatic blocking devices, whereby following a reduction of the load on the object carrier column, the second blocking device is released, and the height adjustment apparatus is moved toward a specified limit position, and the stop moves the object carrier column into the specified rest angular orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rothe, Klaus Koch, Michael Hewel, Oliver Schuttler
  • Patent number: 5772168
    Abstract: A fixing bracket for a pressurized fluid buffer device such as a shock absorber or the like is formed as a single piece U-shaped bracket having a circular body portion for surrounding an outer cylinder of the shock absorber and opposed mounting flange portions for attachment to a vehicular chassis. At a location axially outward of the location of bolt holes for attaching the fixing bracket, opposes pairs of projected tooth portions are provided oriented toward each other to contact an exposed portion of the outer cylinder. According to this structure, during vehicle bouncing, for examples the tooth portions are urged to wedge, or bite into the outer cylinder for counteracting forces in a separation direction of the flange portions. Thus, strength is improved while installation processing is reduced. Further, according to this arrangement both manufacturing and installation costs may be significantly reduced while structural features and design flexibility are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Chiharu Nakazawa, Susumu Shinozaki, Michiya Hiramoto, Hiroshi Hoya, Kohtaro Shiino
  • Patent number: 5771816
    Abstract: A lift table of the type having an air actuator bellows raising and lowering a load platform with a scissors linkage has an auxiliary expansible reservoir in fluid communication with the air bellows to improve the load-deflection characteristic. The auxiliary reservoir consists of an auxiliary bellows clamped between plates with an adjustable spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Knight Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Zaguroli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5765804
    Abstract: A vertically adjustable column for supporting a seat of a chair. The column includes an outer guide tube mounted to a support stand, an intermediate telescoping tube slidably positioned with the guide tube and an inner telescoping tube slidably positioned within the intermediate tube. An upper portion of the inner telescoping tube is connected to the seat. A gas spring includes a cylinder mounted within the inner tube, a piston rod extending outwardly from the cylinder and a control pin assembly mounted to an upper portion of the cylinder. The piston rod is connected to the guide tube and is extensible between a collapsed position in which the cylinder and inner tube are substantially within the intermediate tube and the intermediate tube is substantially within the guide tube, and a raised position in which a portion of the cylinder and inner tube extend outwardly from the intermediate tube and a portion of the intermediate tube extends outwardly from the outer guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Stumpf, Rodney C. Schoenfelder, Donald Chadwick, George A. Miles
  • Patent number: 5758859
    Abstract: A land vehicle seat assembly for absorbing explosive shocks is mounted on e vehicle's floor. The assembly has an anti-friction pad on the floor. A base plate on the pad swings around a pin fixed to the floor at the front of the plate. Horizontal shock absorbers at either side of the plate deceleratingly retard swinging of the plate. Stops at the sides of the plate limit plate swing. The assembly includes a pair of upright rails fixed to the plate and a seat slidable on the rails. A light duty unit such as a pneumatic spring or a shock absorber connects to the plate and seat. A heavy duty shock absorber, responsive only to shocks above a certain power, is connected to the plate. The heavy duty shock absorber can absorb shocks an order of magnitude greater than does the light duty unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Government as, represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Rene G. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5749629
    Abstract: A console assembly in an automotive vehicle has a center console positioned between a pair of seats and a storage compartment with a lid having an armrest on an outer surface, the storage compartment being diagonally adjustable with respect to the console to provide an adjustable armrest for an occupant. The console has a mounting well and an auxiliary storage compartment therein. A telescoping member is angularly mounted with respect to a vertical axis for simultaneously adjusting the storage compartment both in a vertical direction and in a fore-aft direction with respect to the console, the telescoping member mounted to a storage compartment bottom of the second storage compartment on a first end and mounted within the mounting well on a second end. A stabilizing rod is mounted substantially parallel to the at least one telescoping member for preventing rotation of the second storage compartment about the telescoping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Gerald Arthur Heath, Kelly Michael Obriot, Ionel Eugene Simplicean, Sorin Stancu
  • Patent number: 5738318
    Abstract: A chair having a base adapted for support on a floor, a seat-back arrangement for accommodating an occupant, and an upright telescopic height adjustable pedestal assembly connected vertically between the base and the seat-back arrangement for supporting the latter and permitting the height thereof to be vertically adjusted. The height adjustable pedestal assembly include a first height adjusting mechanism having a predetermined vertical stroke defined between upper and lower stroke limiting positions for permitting the height of the seat-back arrangement to be adjusted to any position along said stroke; and a second height adjusting mechanism defining at least upper and lower vertically-spaced range positions for permitting the vertical length of the pedestal assembly to be respectively increased and decreased, whereby the seat-back arrangement can be subjected to the predetermined vertical stroke of the first height adjustment mechanism when in either of the upper and lower range positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Thole, Larry A. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 5735509
    Abstract: A pneumatic seat suspension assembly including upper and lower support members with scissors linkages extending therebetween, a pneumatic spring operatively attached between one set of opposing parallel scissors arms, a height adjuster in communication with the pneumatic spring, a dump valve in communication with the pneumatic spring and a safety rollover valve in communication with the pneumatic spring. The scissors linkage provides the mechanical connection between the seat bottom and the seat support while the pneumatic spring provides the structure to raise and lower the seat bottom by use of compressed air which causes the parallel scissors linkages to be pushed upward causing the seat to rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Gryp, Mark H. Toomey
  • Patent number: 5713555
    Abstract: A saddle support, in particular for a bicycle, includes an outer pipe casing that can be positioned in an open pipe of a bicycle frame. A first piston-cylinder unit provides resilience and a second piston-cylinder unit provides height adjustment of a saddle. A piston rod of the first piston-cylinder unit has an upper end to support the saddle and extends shiftably inside a sheath-shaped piston rod of the second piston-cylinder unit which can be moved in the pipe casing. The two piston rods can be fixed relative to the pipe casing by respective clamping devices. Each piston rod is provided with a valve for adjusting the pressure of a medium in a chamber of the respective piston-cylinder unit. Such saddle support enables resilience and height adjustment of the saddle possible while riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventors: Louis Zurfluh, Mathias Reichmuth
  • Patent number: 5706845
    Abstract: A walker adapter used to prevent an individual's legs from crossing while using a walker to enhance ambulatory skills, the walker adapter comprising an adjustable main member having opposite ends, a posterior attachment mechanism secured at a right angle to one end of the adjustable main member, and an anterior attachment assembly secured at the opposite end thereof. A posterior clamp secured to the posterior attachment is affixed to a rear cross brace of the walker, and anterior clamps which are secured to the anterior attachment assembly are affixed to front vertical members of the walker, so that the walker adapter extends between the legs of the individual and prevents the individual's legs from crossing while walking with the walker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventors: George Beyar, Joanne Morello
  • Patent number: 5702083
    Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder for use in a pneumatic lever-lift chair, including a cylindrical casing having an inward bottom flange and a plurality of vertically spaced inside annular flanges, a stop plate mounted inside the cylindrical casing and having a plurality of raised portions at the bottom respectively welded to the inward bottom flange of the cylindrical casing by a spot welding machine, and an inner barrel mounted inside the cylindrical casing and having an outward top flange stopped above the top end of the cylindrical casing and a plurality of vertically spaced annular grooves around the periphery respectively forced into engagement with the inside annular flanges of the cylindrical casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Shiang-Hwey Lai
  • Patent number: 5657958
    Abstract: A seat post assembly attaching a seat to a bicycle is provided. The assembly includes an elastomeric shock absorbing subassembly bonded to a curved bar which is received in a tube of the bicycle at one end and attaches to a seat at the other. The subassembly is also retained on the inside of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Monroe Clevite Elastomers Division of The Pullman Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. McLaughlin, Kevin J. Jaworski