Movable Seat Or Backrest Patents (Class 296/65.01)
  • Publication number: 20110309650
    Abstract: A collapsible seat assembly providing a compact size in the stowed position. The seat assembly has a reduced overall height in the stowed position, and an articulated bolster and lumbar supports which provides a reduced compact size of the seat in the stowed position. A cover may extend over the seat in the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Kurt A. Seibold, Joseph F. Prosniewski, John Gomez, Richard Tann, Brennon L. White
  • Patent number: 8056954
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion that is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor for movement between a raised position spaced above the floor and a lowered position adjacent the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seat back that is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor for movement between an upright position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. At least one drive link extends between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat back and a second end pivotally and slidably coupled to the seat cushion for automatically moving the seat cushion between the raised and lowered positions in response to pivoting the seat back between the upright and folded positions thereby defining a seating position and a stowed position of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
    Inventors: Robert I. Homier, M. Jeffry Corkins, Charles Falzone
  • Publication number: 20110260489
    Abstract: A stowable seat 10 for a motor vehicle 1, and in particular for a van, having a moveable bulkhead 9 is disclosed in which a backrest 11 of the seat 10 is stowed vertically above a base 12 of the seat 10 and a support mechanism 20 for the seat 10 is arranged so that no member of the support mechanism 20 is located to the rear of a vertical plane “V” aligned with a rearmost part of the stowed seat 10. This arrangement allows the moveable bulkhead 9 to be moved up to the rearmost edge of the stowed seat 10 thereby maximizing the carrying capacity of the motor vehicle 1 when the seat 10 is stowed. The support mechanisms 20 allow the seat 10 to be moved simply between its stowed and ‘in-use’ positions by moving the backrest 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Torsten Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 8032284
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for controlling a side support portion on the basis of a road shape includes a control program cooperating with a car navigation system, a self-directed control program, a sensor error detecting program, and a map matching error detecting program, wherein, during the side support portion is executed by the control program cooperating with the car navigation system, when the error is detected, the control program cooperating with the car navigation system is changed to the self-directed control program, and during the side support portion is controlled by the self-directed control program, when the error is not detected, the self-directed control program is changed the control program cooperating with the car navigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Soichiro Hozumi, Toshiro Maeda, Koji Hattori
  • Patent number: 8029038
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle comprising a vehicle body and at least one seat is provided. The vehicle body includes a front end and a rear end. The seat is mounted within the rear end of the vehicle for translating from a first stowed position within the rear end of the vehicle to a first deployed position which is exterior to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Andrei Markevich, Christopher Wheeler
  • Patent number: 8016338
    Abstract: A seat-form storage apparatus for preventing a passenger from sitting on a portion for storage. A protruding part protruding from a vertical wall part toward a concave storage part is provided. The protruding part prevents sitting on the concave storage part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Nakamura, Toru Matsui
  • Publication number: 20110204669
    Abstract: A vehicle according to the present invention includes a front seat and a rear seat. The rear seat is changeable between an installed state in which the passenger can be seated and a retracted state in which the passenger is not seated and the rear seat is retracted. The vehicle includes an output control unit controlling the output of an engine, and detection means for detecting the installed state of the rear seat. When the detection means detects the installed state of the rear seat, the output control unit regulates the output of the engine as compared with the output when the detection means does not detect the installed state of the rear seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Yoji ONISHI, Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Hidetoshi Kaku, Tyler Furman, Kazuma Waida, Hiroyuki Iwai, Hirokazu Morita, Kazuhiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 8002331
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a folding seat assembly, and a utility bed. The utility bed is attached to the frame and is moveable with respect to the frame between a hauling position and a dumping position. The folding seat assembly is moveable between an erected position and a collapsed position. The utility bed comprises a bed floor and a cargo lid. The bed floor includes a first cargo supporting surface and defines an aperture. The cargo lid is movable between a closed position and an opened position. In the closed position, the cargo lid at least substantially covers the aperture. In the opened position, the cargo lid facilitates selective passage of at least a portion of the folding seat assembly into the aperture when both the utility bed is in the hauling position and the folding seat assembly is in the erected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lee N. Bowers
  • Publication number: 20110169293
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin defined by a front, a back, a roof, a floor, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The vehicle also includes a window having a surface area that covers at least 50% of the first side, and seating in the cabin arranged to face the first side. The seating may be arranged in at least two rows, with a first row of seats having a first elevation relative to the floor, and a second row of seats having a second elevation relative to the floor, where the second elevation being greater than the first elevation. The vehicle also includes a video system comprising a plurality of video monitors located at the first side. Other variations and a related method of providing entertainment using vehicles of the claimed type are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: THE RIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Michael R. COUNTS
  • Patent number: 7971920
    Abstract: A walk-in memory apparatus for an automobile seat locks the seat on a body only after the seat moves past a preset reference point when the seat, moved forwards with a seat back folded up by a seat walk-in apparatus, moves backwards with the seat back unfolded. The walk-in memory apparatus causes the entire seat to move forwards along tracks in an unlocked state when the seat back is folded up. The seat includes a track memory unit which, when the seat moves backwards with the seat back unfolded, causes the seat to be unlocked from the track when the stopper bracket is located ahead of a reference stopper and to be locked on the track when the stopper bracket is located behind the reference stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Daewon Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yong Jang, Jong Moon Yoo, Byung Jae Lee, Sang Man Seo, Eun Sue Kim
  • Publication number: 20110156424
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. A backrest for the rear seat is attached to the screen shield. The screen shield can be shifted between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state when a seat bottom and the backrest of the rear seat are changed between a retracted state in which the seat bottom and the backrest are erected on the same straight line and a seatable used state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Orihashi, Yohei Sasaki, Naohisa Masuda, Yoshihiro Watanabe, Hirokazu Morita, Koji Nozaki, Masahiro Kawahara, Masashi Sakata, Takafumi Hisamori
  • Publication number: 20110156425
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat and a rear seat surrounded by a cabin frame, and a cargo bed in this order from front, a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a riding space in front of the cargo bed, and the cargo bed being changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded to the riding space of the rear seat and a non-expanded state not occupying the riding space of the rear seat. The screen shield is supported by the upper portion of the cabin frame and is changeable between an expanded position in which the cargo bed in the expanded state and the riding space in front of the cargo bed are partitioned and a non-expanded position in which the cargo bed in the non-expanded state and the riding space in front of the cargo bed are partitioned without being detached from the cabin frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Manabu KOKAWA, Satoshi Morotomi, Daisuke Takagi, Naohisa Masuda, Shigeru Yamashita, Masahiro Kawahara, Hirokazu Morita, Masashi Sakata, Hideyuki Kato
  • Publication number: 20110156420
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed, wherein the cargo bed is expandable forward and has a screen shield for partitioning at a front end thereof. The rear seat has a seat bottom for the rear seat detachably attached to a rear seat attaching portion provided on a vehicle body. The screen shield has a seat holding portion to which the seat bottom detached from the rear seat attaching portion is attachable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Hidekazu Yasui, Hirokazu Morira, Kenji Oda, Takao Kawabata, Masaki Tanaka, Eiji Ihara
  • Publication number: 20110148146
    Abstract: The present invention is a pick-up style utility vehicle with an expandable cargo bed, including a front seat, a rear seat, a stationary bottom plate serving as a bottom face of the cargo bed, an expansion bottom plate for expanding the bottom face of the cargo bed, and a shared linkage mechanism for holding the rear seat at a use position where the rear seat is positioned on the upper side of the stationary bottom plate and a shunting position where the rear seat is shunted into a rear leg room provided on the front lower side of the stationary bottom plate, and also for holding the expansion bottom plate at a storage position where the expansion bottom plate is placed out of the upper side of the leg room and an expansion position where the expansion bottom plate is positioned on the upper side of the leg room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Satoshi TAKAYA, Masafumi Inoue, Shinichi Tanba, Daisuke Takagi, Masahiro Koga, Yoshitaka Nishikawa, Takao Kawabata, Dave Reinke
  • Publication number: 20110148135
    Abstract: The present invention is a pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat and a rear seat, the pick-up style utility vehicle including a cargo bed movement mechanism for supporting a cargo bed movably within a predetermined movement range in the back and forth direction, and a seat movement mechanism for supporting the rear seat movably between a use position set to be within the movement range and a shunting position set to be out of the movement range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANAZAWA, Hideyuki Takahashi, Yoichi Jinja, Takao Hamano, Masashi Sakata, Kazuhiro Morita, Yasushi Ishibashi, Kiyoaki Maeda, Tyler Furman, Yoshihiro Masuda, Trey Govier
  • Patent number: 7934763
    Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus includes a vehicle seat; a swiveling drive unit that swivels the vehicle seat between a frontward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat faces the front of a vehicle and at least one of an outward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat is oriented in the outward direction of the vehicle and an inward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat is oriented in the inward direction of the vehicle; an occupant condition detection unit that detects the condition of an occupant in the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the swiveling drive unit based on the detection result obtained by the occupant condition detection unit. With this configuration, it is possible to further increase the comfort of a passenger compartment based on the condition of the occupants in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Teiji Mabuchi, Osamu Fujimoto, Kei Matsui, Yoshihiro Suda, Yoshihiko Tabuchi, Shoichiro Takehara, Daisuke Yamaguchi, Takaaki Koga
  • Patent number: 7918303
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle includes a moveable operator seat movable between a forward-use configuration and a rearward-use configuration, a left-side stabilizer, a right-side stabilizer, and a control system configured to control the movement of the left-side stabilizer and the right-side stabilizer based on whether the operator seat is in the forward-use configuration or the rearward-use configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Joseph Klas, Robert Scott Tyler, Ricky Lee Weires, Leonard Keith Mast, Donald Joseph Bagby, Glenn Owen Scheer, Rian Scot Meyers
  • Publication number: 20110057470
    Abstract: A folding vehicle seat is adapted to be stored on a first portion of a vehicle body floor and retained on the first portion by a retaining belt arrangement which includes a belt attached at its lower end to a vertical wall extending upward from the floor and a hook attached to an upper end of the belt. The upper end is inserted through a ring attached to the wall. The seat includes a seat cushion pivotally supported on a second portion of the floor and a seat back pivotally supported by the cushion, the cushion and back being adapted to be put together as a single body which is adapted to be pivoted from the second portion toward the first portion and has an engagement mechanism with which the hook is adapted to be engaged at the time when the body is stored on the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: TS TECH COL, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuya Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110042993
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a seat for a vehicle, a seat driving portion driving the seat to change a seat position, a controlling portion controlling an operation of the seat driving portion to change the seat position to a predetermined position, and an input portion receiving a control command relative to the controlling portion. The controlling portion includes an assembly control mode in which an operation of the seat driving portion is controlled on a basis of the control command input to the input portion by an assembly input operation performed when the vehicle is assembled and includes a normal control mode in which the operation of the seat driving portion is controlled on a basis of the control command input to the input portion by a normal input operation performed when the vehicle is used by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Misato MAEDA, Kazuyuki Kashiwabara
  • Patent number: 7874607
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has an element formed of expanded polypropylene foam or of a material with comparable properties with respect to its firmness and weight provided between a seat part and a vehicle body floor, wherein the seat part is directly or indirectly connected to the vehicle body floor via the element formed of expanded polypropylene foam or of the material with comparable properties with respect to its firmness and weight, or the seat part is formed essentially of expanded polypropylene foam or of a material with comparable properties with respect to its firmness and weight and is directly or indirectly connected to the vehicle body floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Prosche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Weiss, Frank Lewetzky, Jörg Dittus
  • Patent number: 7871116
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that elevates and rotates to enhance passenger seat access is disclosed. The vehicle seat assembly includes a seat and a plurality of links pivotally coupled to a lower surface of the seat at one end of each of the links and pivotally mounted with respect to a vehicle floor at the opposite end of each of the links. A motor may be used to drive at least one link to actuate the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: 89908, Inc.
    Inventors: Horst Leitner, Bernard Leitner
  • Publication number: 20100283229
    Abstract: A vehicle seat of a motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle seat comprising a backrest which includes a middle part and at least one side bolster, a gas bag module with a folded gas bag, which is at least partly arranged in the side bolster, an adjusting element for adjusting a width of the backrest, which is at least partly arranged in the side bolster and is movable relative to the middle part, by means of which the position of the side bolster relative to the middle part can be varied, and a seat frame extending in the side bolster, which in the vehicle seat mounted in the motor vehicle is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. At least part of the folded gas bag is arranged before the seat frame with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Jens Feller, Torsten Schmidt, Peter Baumgartner, Thomas Steck
  • Patent number: 7823950
    Abstract: There is provided a seat device for a vehicle comprising a pair of main seats disposed in the vehicle width direction including respectively a main seat cushion and main seat back, and a sub seat back disposed between the main seat backs, wherein the sub seat back is configured so as to be in an arranged position in which the sub seat back is located above the main seat cushion and before the main seat back, and the main seat backs are configured so as to be moved inward when the sub seat back is in the arranged position. Accordingly, the width of the seat can be adjusted variably, without improperly affecting spaces behind or before the seat, thereby attaining both the movement of seat and the improvement of space utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Toyota, Akira Ito, Kazue Sumida
  • Publication number: 20100244512
    Abstract: A seat system for the interior of a motor vehicle, such as a driver's cab of a truck, has a vehicle seat that is movable from a home position, set on a seat support on the vehicle, into at least one further position. The vehicle seat is separable from the seat support and has a roller element device by which the vehicle seat can be moved into a position separated from the seat support. The seat support can include at least one coupling element for a connection line, with the coupling element being connectable to a coupling element on the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ryan DICKMAN, Mark Hurayt, Holger Schleife, Kai Sieber, Justin Yee
  • Publication number: 20100237590
    Abstract: A stroller comprises a foldable stroller frame including two handle tubes, two front leg tubes connected respectively to lower ends of the handle tubes, and two rear leg tubes connected respectively and pivotally to the front leg tubes. Each of the handle tubes has upper and lower handle tube sections interconnected pivotally by a first joint. Each of the front leg tubes has upper and lower front leg tube sections interconnected pivotally by a second joint. Each of the lower handle tube sections is connected pivotally to the upper front leg tube section of the corresponding front leg tube and the corresponding rear leg tube by a third joint. Upon folding the stroller frame, an assembly of the handle tubes and the front leg tubes is folded in a Z-shaped manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Schantal Kane
  • Patent number: 7794005
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat assembly has a longitudinally movable rear seat and a load floor, which is height-adjustable, can be placed in a boot and has a front portion coupled to a lever member in a rotational manner about a horizontal axis; the lever member can swing about a further horizontal axis, which is fixed with respect to the rear seat during the longitudinal movement of the rear seat; the load floor has a substantially flat rear panel, which is coupled in a sliding manner to the front portion so as to vary the length of the load floor depending on the longitudinal position of the rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Angelo Storgato, Giorgio Masoero
  • Publication number: 20100225082
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed that may be used in multiple modes of use, such as a low speed transport vehicle or a golf cart. The vehicle has a rear passenger seat area which can be converted into a golf bag carrying mechanism. The vehicle also has a foot pedestal for use when operating with rear passengers, and which may fold up when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Krosschell, Mark W. Chevalier, Bryan K. Johnson, Brian T. Utter, Gregory C. Brew, Ryan J. Andreae, Adam J. Schlangen
  • Patent number: 7784581
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of proportional controls to control the operation of a first set of equipment and a second set of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Joseph Klas, Robert Scott Tyler, Ricky Lee Weires, Leonard Keith Mast, Donald Joseph Bagby, Glenn Owen Scheer, Rian Scot Meyeres
  • Patent number: 7748766
    Abstract: A seat row assembly is provided, having a first rail and a first seat movably connected to the first rail. A second seat is moveable between a first position and a second position, such that the second seat in its second position does not occupy the same space as in its first position. The first seat is configured to selectively move from a first position into a second position, in which it occupies space occupied by the second seat in its respective first configuration. A second rail, perpendicular to the first rail, is movably connected to the first rail such that the first seat is selectively movable along both the first rail and the second rail. The seats may be configured to fold to a collapsed configuration. A method of allowing access to a third row of seats in a vehicle having a second row of seats is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
  • Patent number: 7735895
    Abstract: A unique and versatile seating system for automobiles is provided. The seating system includes aspects to improve the functionality of the seating arrangement while maintaining the safety and comfort of the automotive seats. In certain embodiments, the seating system includes a reversible automotive seat that includes a seat cushion and a backrest. The backrest is movable between a forward seating position and a rearward seating position and includes an integrated restraint system which is operable to secure an occupant seated when the backrest is in either the forward or rearward seating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Philip Brown, Warren Nally, Thomas Green
  • Publication number: 20100133870
    Abstract: A stowable vehicle seat, which is stowed by folding a seat back toward the side of a seat cushion, releasing a floor lock while the seat back is in a superposed state on the seat cushion, and lifting the vehicle seat up toward the vehicle body side. The vehicle seat is fixed by connecting a striker disposed on the back face of the seat back with a dragger unit disposed on the vehicle body side. After an operation to release locking of the dragger unit, separation of the striker from the dragger unit is estimated, and a dragger motor is driven so that a latch of the dragger unit is moved to the initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Kan, Kazumutsu Azuma
  • Patent number: 7717488
    Abstract: A vehicle seat of a vehicle is basically provided with a seat cushion, an annular frame, a hook or striking member and a vehicle body engagement element. The seat cushion is disposed within the vehicle. The annular frame disposed within the seat cushion. The striking member is attached to the annular frame to attach the vehicle seat to the vehicle body. The vehicle body engagement element is attached to the annular frame so as to serve as a load transferring point at which the vehicle body engagement element transfers a bending load of the annular frame to the vehicle body as the vehicle seat is being initially lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Takahana
  • Publication number: 20100117425
    Abstract: A striker is supported by and coupled to a seat body and is held in a rotated position where the striker is lowered to a position along the shape of the seat body. When the seat body is moved and stowed, the striker is raised to and held at a rotated and raised position where the striker can be engaged and locked to a locking device. Elasticity of an opening spring and a rubber body, which are arranged between the striker and a coupling section, allows a forced rotational displacement of the striker in both forward and reverse directions from a state in which the striker is held at the rotated and raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Abe, Takahiro Sugama, Masami Natsume, Yasuhiro Nishii
  • Patent number: 7712815
    Abstract: The articulated seat assembly to efficiently utilize vehicle compartment space is comprised of a seat back slidably mounted to a floor for horizontal movement relative thereto. A seat pan is equipped with at least first and second seat flange indents on opposite ends of the seat pan to cooperatively engage a floor flange to provide support to the seat pan in first and second pivoted positions. A leg assembly is pivotally attached to the seat pan at a first end and pivotally attached relative to a vehicle floor at a second end. The leg assembly is equipped with a first flat to cooperatively engage the vehicle floor when the leg is in a first pivoted position and a second flat to cooperatively engage the vehicle floor in a second pivoted position. The leg assembly is further equipped with a contour to cooperate with a floor contour to permit pivotal movement of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael John Kowalski
  • Publication number: 20100102593
    Abstract: An interior fitting for a motor vehicle is equipped with a bunk and a seat. An element that can be moved into two different operating positions is provided. In a first operating position, the element extends the bunk, while, in the second operating position, the element forms a table for the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Jochen BISINGER, Dieter RECKELS, Holger SCHLEIFE, Kai SIEBER
  • Patent number: 7703828
    Abstract: A vehicle seat latching system having four anchor mounting points wherein three of the four points define an engagement plane with respect to a vehicle floor. The fourth mounting point is located in a non-planar orientation to the engagement plane. A compensating latch is provided as part of the fourth mounting point to engage a mating element in a non-planar orientation. The compensating latch has a reduced engagement and release force characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: James G. O'Connor, Chad Balk
  • Patent number: 7699399
    Abstract: A seat apparatus includes a seat back capable of being used as a table at a surface thereof, a seat back driving device moving the seat back between a seating position and a table position, a controlling portion controlling the seat back driving device, and the controlling portion including an operating portion at which the user executes a certain operation, wherein, when the user executes the certain operation, the controlling portion controls the seat back to move in a first direction that is opposite to a second direction to which the seat back is moved most recently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Satta, Hidemitsu Higashi, Masaya Mizuguchi, Hideharu Kato, Tomonori Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100066116
    Abstract: A deceleration responsive vehicle seat (20) for an occupant (9) of a vehicle, wherein the seat has a frame structure adapted to absorb the weight of the occupant and other forces exerted by said occupant on the seat. The frame structure includes a seat cushion frame assembly comprising a seat cushion frame (21), a seat cushion (22) being supported on said seat cushion frame, the frame structure further including a backrest frame assembly (25,27), a backrest cushion having an upper part (26) and a lower part (28), said backrest cushion being supported by said backrest frame assembly. The seat cushion and backrest cushion support the occupant in an upright sitting normal position. The seat further includes frame structure fixation means (2,3) adapted and arranged to fix said frame structure to the vehicle body. The seat further includes an integrated seat belt system (40,41,42,43) for said occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CHARD SAFETY B.V.
    Inventor: Michel Coenen
  • Patent number: 7677630
    Abstract: In an automobile having a seat cushion and a seat back that can be stored in a non-use position located in the upper part of a vehicle interior, the seat back can be stored in the non-use position easily even when the seat back stops at any position immediately before the non-use position thereof when the seat back is lifted up to the non-use position. A guide face is formed on a locking member. The guide face brings an engaging concave portion of the locking member into engagement with a striker while being in sliding contact with the striker when a handle arm provided on the seat back is rotated from the use position to the storage position thereof to rotate the locking member from the lock releasing position toward the locking position thereof, in a situation where the seat back stops upon reaching any position immediately before the non-use position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Kanto Auto Works, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Kanamori, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7669909
    Abstract: An arrangement (10) for assisting a passenger (22) to obtain a correct seating position in a seat (21) of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprising at least the seat (21) and an area (20) which may be seen by the passenger (22) when seated in the seat (21). The arrangement (10) comprising a position indicator (11) arranged to be provided on the area (20). The position indicator (11) displaying at least a first image (13) when seen in at least a first corresponding optic angle interval (?), and a second image (14) when seen in at least a second corresponding optic angle interval (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helene Reinhardt, Elna Holmberg
  • Patent number: 7669824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for adjusting motor vehicle seats comprising a spindle (5) fixed to a first (4) of two rails (3, 4) which are adjustable with respect to each other with the aid of holding devices (60) arranged on the end of the spindle (5). A transmission (9) actuated by a motor (2) is placed on the second rail (3), According to id invention, the holding devices (60) comprise an external bowl-shaped supporting surface (66) in which each end of the spindle (5) is fixedly mounted, respectively. Said solution is more advantageous in comparison with conventional holding devices which are embodied in the form of flexible stamped parts, in particular the inventive holding devices exhibit a high resistance in the case of crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: IMS Gear GmbH, Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Woehrle, Hans Dropmann, Andreas Gapp, Urban Knoepfle, Stefan Wetzig
  • Patent number: 7658425
    Abstract: An interior seat assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The interior seat assembly includes a center console, a seat back, a seat bottom, and a cantilevered member. The center console extends in fore and aft directions of the vehicle. The center console includes a first console section coupled to a floor of the vehicle and having at least one seat track positioned therein. The center console further includes a second console section supported by the first console section for storing items. The seat back is positioned adjacent to the center console. The seat bottom is coupled to the seat back for coacting with the seat back to support a passenger thereon. The cantilevered member is coupled to the seat track of the first console section and to the seat back for moving the seat back and the seat bottom in the fore or the aft directions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Paxton, Sven Etzelsberger, Kris Tomasson
  • Patent number: 7654602
    Abstract: A reclining seat for use in a material handling vehicle includes a seat back that is pivotally coupled to a wall of the operator compartment and to a seat pad. The seat pad is moveable toward a center of the operator compartment to provide the capability to recline, and is typically maintained in the upright position by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Smiley, Robert Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100014793
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement (5) between two components (9, 12) that can be pivoted relative to each other about an axis (A), particularly of a vehicle seat (1), has two bearing elements (7, 10) that can be pivoted relative to each other about the axis (A), and a bushing (20) that is disposed axially and/or radially between the bearing elements (7, 10). The bushing has resilient sections (20a, 20b) for the axial and/or radial compensation for play. The bushing (20) has a disk section (20a) acting as a disk spring for the axial compensation of play, and a barrel section (20b) acting as a barrel spring for the radial compensation of play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Bingert
  • Publication number: 20100001501
    Abstract: A personal transport cart is disclosed. The cart is provided with a collapsible steering mechanism to lock the steered wheels for alluring alignment of the cart during the loading and unloading of the cart on a transport vehicle. Means are further provided for locking the rear wheel against movement during the transportation of the cart on the transport vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: James J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7641257
    Abstract: A seating arrangement is provided in a vehicle to enable a wheelchair occupier to be carried safely in the vehicle, whilst having only a minimal effect on the total number of passengers that can be carried. The seating arrangement includes two adjacent seats, one adjacent the side of the vehicle and the other adjacent the aisle of the vehicle. The seat adjacent the side of the vehicle can be moved from a first position to a second position in which a clear space exists on the side of the second seat which is remote from the aisle. The second seat has a seat squab which is moveable to a position in which the seat squab does not obstruct the space in front of the back-rest of the seat, and the second seat is moveable laterally towards the side of the vehicle and axially of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: NMI Safety Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Sawdy
  • Patent number: 7618076
    Abstract: The inventive seat for a motor vehicle comprises a cushion (8), a lower connecting device (13) for connecting the cushion to the lower element (2) of the vehicle structure and a backrest (9), said seat being designed in such a way that the position thereof is ergonomically adjustable. The seat also comprises another upper connecting device (16) for connecting the upper part (15) thereof to the upper element (17) of the vehicle structure, the upper connecting device (16) forms an upper connection which makes it possible to ergonomically adjust the seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Mathieu Meynet, Jean Pierre Guignard, Dominique Cabrie, Jerome Makala
  • Publication number: 20090256378
    Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a longitudinal sliding mechanism having a longitudinal slide base that is arranged and constructed to move back and forth relative to a vehicle floor, and a covering device having a covering member and a wind-up roller that is capable of winding and unwinding the covering member. The covering member is arranged and constructed to cover a substantial portion of the longitudinal sliding mechanism when the longitudinal slide base is moved forwardly. The wind-up roller of the covering device is arranged so as to be positioned forward of a rear end periphery of the longitudinal slide base when the longitudinal slide base is in a farthest rearward position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhiro HIBI, Ryousuke ARIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20090226792
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a front seat that is slid with respect to a vehicle body backward and forward in order to adjust the seating position of an occupant. A fuel cell is attached to the bottom face of the front seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20090184531
    Abstract: A utility vehicle including: a vehicle body frame; a pair of left and right front wheels and at least a pair of left and right rear wheels that are supported on the vehicle frame; a front seat that is provided to the rear of the front wheels; a rear seat that is provided to the rear of the front seat having an in-use position, a transition position, and a non-use position; a cargo bed, disposed to the rear of the front seat including: a bottom wall portion whereon the seat cushion portion of the rear seat is provided movably; a left side wall portion and a right side wall portion that are provided on the left and right side portions of the bottom wall portion, wherein the left side wall portion and the right side wall portion extend forward to the rear seat in its non-use position; and a rear wall portion that is provided at the rear end portion of the bottom wall portion; and a rear floor provided between the front seat and the rear seat and lower than the bottom wall portion of the cargo bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamura, Craig Smith