Movable Seat Or Backrest Patents (Class 296/65.01)
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Publication number: 20110309650Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANYInventors: Kurt A. Seibold, Joseph F. Prosniewski, John Gomez, Richard Tann, Brennon L. White
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Patent number: 8056954Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Intier Automotive IncInventors: Robert I. Homier, M. Jeffry Corkins, Charles Falzone
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Publication number: 20110260489Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Torsten Gerhardt
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Patent number: 8032284Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Soichiro Hozumi, Toshiro Maeda, Koji Hattori
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Patent number: 8029038Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Woodhouse, Andrei Markevich, Christopher Wheeler
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Patent number: 8016338Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 3, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Nakamura, Toru Matsui
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Publication number: 20110204669Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Yoji ONISHI, Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Hidetoshi Kaku, Tyler Furman, Kazuma Waida, Hiroyuki Iwai, Hirokazu Morita, Kazuhiro Maeda
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Patent number: 8002331Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.Inventor: Lee N. Bowers
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Publication number: 20110169293Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: THE RIDE, INC.Inventor: Michael R. COUNTS
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Patent number: 7971920Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignees: 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
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Publication number: 20110156424Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Yoshihiko Orihashi, Yohei Sasaki, Naohisa Masuda, Yoshihiro Watanabe, Hirokazu Morita, Koji Nozaki, Masahiro Kawahara, Masashi Sakata, Takafumi Hisamori
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Publication number: 20110156425Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Manabu KOKAWA, Satoshi Morotomi, Daisuke Takagi, Naohisa Masuda, Shigeru Yamashita, Masahiro Kawahara, Hirokazu Morita, Masashi Sakata, Hideyuki Kato
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Publication number: 20110156420Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Hidekazu Yasui, Hirokazu Morira, Kenji Oda, Takao Kawabata, Masaki Tanaka, Eiji Ihara
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Publication number: 20110148146Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Satoshi TAKAYA, Masafumi Inoue, Shinichi Tanba, Daisuke Takagi, Masahiro Koga, Yoshitaka Nishikawa, Takao Kawabata, Dave Reinke
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Publication number: 20110148135Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Tomohiro KANAZAWA, Hideyuki Takahashi, Yoichi Jinja, Takao Hamano, Masashi Sakata, Kazuhiro Morita, Yasushi Ishibashi, Kiyoaki Maeda, Tyler Furman, Yoshihiro Masuda, Trey Govier
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Patent number: 7934763Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, The University of TokyoInventors: Teiji Mabuchi, Osamu Fujimoto, Kei Matsui, Yoshihiro Suda, Yoshihiko Tabuchi, Shoichiro Takehara, Daisuke Yamaguchi, Takaaki Koga
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Patent number: 7918303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: David Joseph Klas, Robert Scott Tyler, Ricky Lee Weires, Leonard Keith Mast, Donald Joseph Bagby, Glenn Owen Scheer, Rian Scot Meyers
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Publication number: 20110057470Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: TS TECH COL, LTD.Inventor: Kazuya Aoki
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Publication number: 20110042993Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Misato MAEDA, Kazuyuki Kashiwabara
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Patent number: 7874607Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Prosche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Weiss, Frank Lewetzky, Jörg Dittus
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Patent number: 7871116Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: 89908, Inc.Inventors: Horst Leitner, Bernard Leitner
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Publication number: 20100283229Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: Jens Feller, Torsten Schmidt, Peter Baumgartner, Thomas Steck
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Patent number: 7823950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Minoru Toyota, Akira Ito, Kazue Sumida
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Publication number: 20100244512Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Daimler AGInventors: Ryan DICKMAN, Mark Hurayt, Holger Schleife, Kai Sieber, Justin Yee
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Publication number: 20100237590Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS COMPANY LIMITEDInventor: Schantal Kane
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Patent number: 7794005Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Angelo Storgato, Giorgio Masoero
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Publication number: 20100225082Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 7784581Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: David Joseph Klas, Robert Scott Tyler, Ricky Lee Weires, Leonard Keith Mast, Donald Joseph Bagby, Glenn Owen Scheer, Rian Scot Meyeres
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Patent number: 7748766Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Patent number: 7735895Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Philip Brown, Warren Nally, Thomas Green
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Publication number: 20100133870Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Kan, Kazumutsu Azuma
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Patent number: 7717488Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Takahana
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Publication number: 20100117425Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2007Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuya Abe, Takahiro Sugama, Masami Natsume, Yasuhiro Nishii
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Patent number: 7712815Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael John Kowalski
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Publication number: 20100102593Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: Daimler AGInventors: Jochen BISINGER, Dieter RECKELS, Holger SCHLEIFE, Kai SIEBER
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Patent number: 7703828Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: James G. O'Connor, Chad Balk
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Patent number: 7699399Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroki Satta, Hidemitsu Higashi, Masaya Mizuguchi, Hideharu Kato, Tomonori Suzuki
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Publication number: 20100066116Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: CHARD SAFETY B.V.Inventor: Michel Coenen
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Patent number: 7677630Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignees: Kanto Auto Works, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Jun Kanamori, Osamu Fujimoto
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Patent number: 7669909Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Helene Reinhardt, Elna Holmberg
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Patent number: 7669824Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignees: IMS Gear GmbH, Keiper GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Michael Woehrle, Hans Dropmann, Andreas Gapp, Urban Knoepfle, Stefan Wetzig
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Patent number: 7658425Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Paxton, Sven Etzelsberger, Kris Tomasson
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Patent number: 7654602Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Gregory W. Smiley, Robert Lewis
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Publication number: 20100014793Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2007Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventor: Thomas Bingert
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Publication number: 20100001501Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventor: James J. Miller
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Patent number: 7641257Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: NMI Safety Systems Ltd.Inventor: Michael Sawdy
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Patent number: 7618076Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Renault S.A.S.Inventors: Mathieu Meynet, Jean Pierre Guignard, Dominique Cabrie, Jerome Makala
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Publication number: 20090256378Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuhiro HIBI, Ryousuke ARIYOSHI
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Publication number: 20090226792Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2006Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kenichi Hamada
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Publication number: 20090184531Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Takashi Yamamura, Craig Smith