Having Actuator Patents (Class 296/65.07)
  • Patent number: 11890972
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system including a mounting assembly; a first slide assembly configured to move linearly relative to an adapter plate; a first drive motor mounted to an under-plate of the first slide assembly, the first drive motor being configured to selectively move the first slide assembly in a liner motion parallel to a longitudinal axis of the adapter plate; a swivel assembly configured to swivel relative to the first slide assembly, wherein the swivel assembly includes an over-plate mounted to a swivel post that rotatably engages the first slide assembly; a second slide assembly configured to move linearly relative to the over-plate; and a second drive motor engaging a seat pan of the second slide assembly and being configured to move the second slide assembly in a liner motion parallel to a longitudinal axis of the seat pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: BraunAbility Europe AB
    Inventor: Hans Bertil Slungare
  • Patent number: 11427450
    Abstract: Lift trucks designed with a common chassis can include an ergonomically improved operator compartment, wheels, lift assembly, power plant, energy source, steering, seat, and counterweight components. Modular chassis designs can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources to accommodate different end uses of the lift truck, including lift trucks having a low floor, seatside steering, and/or a combination of operator-inaccessible compartments for high-reliability components and operator-accessible components for components that may require more frequent or convenient access. In one embodiment, the energy source is a lithium-ion battery bank in an operator-inaccessible compartment under a low, broad floor that facilitates easy entry into and exit from the operator compartment as well as ergonomic operation by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Hyster-Yale Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund Stilwell, Ryan McDermott, Nicholas M. Draayer, Dan Miller, Mark Cheyne, John Santiago
  • Patent number: 11370333
    Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved vehicle access systems. In particular, one embodiment includes three compact, motorized mechanisms for pivoting a passenger seat toward a door opening, extending the passenger seat outside the door opening, lowering the passenger seat, and tilting the passenger seat to help the passenger stand. The first mechanism concurrently pivots the passenger seat and moves it sideways during the pivoting operation so that it is aligned with the door opening. The second mechanism extends the passenger seat outside the door opening. The third mechanism lowers the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ADAPT SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Christian Lemay, Etienne Carbonneau
  • Patent number: 11345258
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a lower part for arrangement on a body part of a commercial vehicle and an upper part for storing a seat part, wherein the vehicle seat has a longitudinal adjustment device, by means of which the upper part is displaceable relative to the lower part in the longitudinal direction and/or width direction of the vehicle seat, and a rotational adjustment device working independently of the longitudinal adjustment device, by means of which rotational adjustment device at least parts of the upper part are rotatable relative to the lower part about an axis in the height direction of the vehicle seat, wherein a virtual plane is provided, which is arranged intersectingly parallel to a longitudinal direction and a width direction of the vehicle seat as well as the longitudinal adjustment device and the rotational adjustment device, wherein the longitudinal adjustment device and the rotational adjustment device are designed to be electrically driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Erwin Haller
  • Patent number: 11279262
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a track assembly having a swivel mechanism slideably supported along the track assembly. A base frame is supported on the swivel mechanism between forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations. A seatback is pivotally coupled to the base frame by a recliner mechanism. A seat portion is pivotally coupled to the base frame and includes a front edge. The seat portion is operable between first and second positions, such that the front edge of the seat portion defines a forward-most portion of the seat assembly when the seat portion is in the first position. Further, the front edge of the seat portion is vertically juxtaposed over the base frame when the seat portion is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, David Frederick Lyons
  • Patent number: 11273731
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle is provided, wherein a base bracket and a moving bracket are mounted to a body floor to lift and lower a seat, and a seat track is mounted to the moving bracket to move the seat in forward and rearward directions, so that the seat is moved and lifted and lowered. Accordingly, since the lifting/lowering structure of the seat is mounted to the body floor, space is secured below the seat, so indoor atmosphere is improved due to the increase of the space efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Daechang Seat Co., LTD-Dongtan
    Inventors: Hyung Jin Park, Guk Mu Park, Byeong Kwang Kim, Sang Uk Yu, So Young Yoo, Seon Chae Na, Byung Yong Choi, Myung Soo Lee, Chan Ki Cho, Gyeong Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 11254240
    Abstract: A network of rails for a vehicle includes a lateral rail that extends primarily along a lateral axis of the vehicle, a longitudinal rail that extends primarily along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a circular rail that interacts with at least one of the lateral rail and the longitudinal rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Saied Nusier, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Patent number: 11247885
    Abstract: A lift device includes a lift apparatus and a base assembly. The lift apparatus is configured to raise and lower an implement assembly. The base assembly is configured to support the lift apparatus. The base assembly includes a deployable operator station transitionable between a deployed position and a stowed position. In the deployed position, the deployable operator station is configured to provide a seating and control arrangement for an operator. In the stowed position, the deployable operator station is substantially sealed from an external environment to limit access to the deployable operator station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Wenton S. Miller, Matthew Gilbride, Shane Mastronardi, Eko Prasetiawan, Ignacy Puszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 11214178
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a mounting plate and a base frame rotatable mounted on the mounting plate by a swivel mechanism for swiveling the seat assembly between forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations. A seat portion is operably coupled to the base frame and includes a front edge. The seat portion can be pivoted between use and upright non-use positions. The seat assembly includes a first rotational footprint when the seat portion is in the use position and a second rotational footprint that is less than the first rotational footprint when the seat portion is in the upright non-use position. The second rotational footprint is intended to accommodate swiveling of the seat assembly between the forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations within a vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, David Frederick Lyons
  • Patent number: 11214179
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a base frame supporting a lift mechanism. A seatback is operably coupled to a seat portion. The seatback and the seat portion are vertically adjustable as powered by the lift mechanism. The seat portion is pivotally coupled to the seatback by a support bracket for rotational movement between first and second positions. A seat frame of the seat portion is vertically juxtaposed over the lift mechanism when the seat portion is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, David Frederick Lyons
  • Patent number: 11205819
    Abstract: A battery panel assembly for a material handling vehicle having a battery is provided. The battery panel assembly includes an inner counterweight panel configured to couple to the battery assembly. The inner panel including a battery service cutout. The battery panel assembly further includes an outer panel configured to couple to the inner panel. The outer panel includes a cutout configured to align with the battery service cutout and an access door dimensioned to cover the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas W. Confer
  • Patent number: 10814748
    Abstract: A vehicle seat structure including a first seat and a second seat, wherein the first seat includes: a tilting rotation mechanism configured to connect the first seat with respect to a floor in a manner switchable between a sitting position and a raised position; and a pivoting mechanism configured to pivotably connect the first seat to the floor with the tilting rotation mechanism provided therebetween, and wherein the second seat includes a concave portion configured to reduce interference between the second seat and a forefoot of a sitting occupant of the first seat which is being pivoted in the raised position when the second seat and the first seat are in a positional relationship in which the second seat overlaps, in a plan view, with a pivoting trajectory of the forefoot of the sitting occupant of the first seat which is being pivoted in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Akaike, Hiroshi Tsuji, Keisuke Toda, Hajime Takagi
  • Patent number: 10625632
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a vehicle floor, a fixed ring fixed to the vehicle floor, a rotatable ring concentric with and rotatably supported by the fixed ring, a seat supported on the rotatable ring, and a retractor fixed to the rotatable ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Saeed David Barbat
  • Patent number: 10532685
    Abstract: A foot rest for use in a reconfigurable passenger cabin of a personal automotive vehicle is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the second position, a resting surface of the foot rest is inclined to face toward a seat when the seat is moved away from a forward-facing position to a rotated position. In the first position, the resting surface can be level with a floor of the passer cabin, facing toward a different seat, or facing toward the same seat as in the second position. The foot rest provides stability to a seat occupant when the seat is moved into unconventional positions, such as rotated or extreme rearward positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Fitzpatrick, Markus Uhlig, Desmond O'Regan, Matthew Benson, Fabrice Aycoberry
  • Patent number: 10259354
    Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved vehicle access systems. In particular, one embodiment includes three compact, motorized mechanisms for pivoting a passenger seat toward a door opening, extending the passenger seat outside the door opening, lowering the passenger seat, and tilting the passenger seat to help the passenger stand. The first mechanism concurrently pivots the passenger seat and moves it sideways during the pivoting operation so that it is aligned with the door opening. The second mechanism extends the passenger seat outside the door opening. The third mechanism lowers the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ADAPT SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Christian Lemay, Etienne Carbonneau
  • Patent number: 10144315
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat base with a fitting with pivot connections for pivoting relative to the backrest. The seat base pivots between a seating position and a stadium flipped up position. A storage hoop has ends pivotably connected to an underside of the seat base at hoop pivot connections. The storage hoop pivots between a stowed position—with the hoop extending along a seat underside—and a hoop deployed position—with the hoop extending outwardly from the seat underside. The fitting with pivot connection has an inertial load lock to maintain the seat base in the stadium flipped up position upon exposure to inertial loads above a crash threshold. A cable is moved upon moving the hoop to the deployed position to move a latching cam, associated with the fitting, to prevent the seat base from pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Eric Michalak, Brent Burton, Mason Pike, Nathan Caruss
  • Patent number: 10040373
    Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle seat is provided in which the vehicle seat is configured to allow movement laterally (i.e., side-to-side), fore-aft (i.e., forwards-backwards), and rotationally. In addition to allowing a user to select a particular seat position, the method monitors an internal vehicle door handle and automatically moves the seat from its current position to a preset position whenever the door handle is activated (e.g., touched).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Daniel Jefferson Muir
  • Patent number: 10011191
    Abstract: In a seat for a construction machine, comprising a seat console, a device for lateral displacement of the seat in a transverse direction relative to the direction of travel of the construction machine, and a seat rotating device, it is provided that a stop limiter device is operative to limit the maximum allowable rotational angle of the seat in a variable manner, each time in dependence on the set position of the lateral displacement of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hamm AG
    Inventors: Gernot Reif, Jürgen Hopf, Thomas Göhl
  • Patent number: 9744881
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a drive system with a motor rotary actuator driven linkage and an override system is provided. The override system may be a manually actuated override system that, in response to a power loss or outage, is configured to disengage one or more links of drive system 100 from the electric motor rotary actuator, allowing the disengaged link to be moved and/or repositioned. Moreover, drive system 100 and, more specifically, the override system may be configured to restore normal operation to the disengaged link in response to power being restored (i.e., by reengaging the link).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith M. Ferguson, Douglas E. Hoover
  • Patent number: 9718378
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a longitudinally adjustable and rotatable vehicle seat with upper rails guided in lower rails, motors for respectively driving the upper rails and a seat shell. An aligned displacement of the upper rails relative to the lower rails displaces the seat shell in a straight line. A displacement of the first upper rail relative to the second upper rail rotates the seat shell about a vertical axis. An initial position is stored. The seat shell is moved in a straight line out of the initial position into a starting position. From the starting position the seat shell is rotated by a first angle into an intermediate position. The seat shell is moved in a straight line in the direction of travel into a first central position. The seat shell is rotated by a second angle into an end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schulz, Thomas Christoffel
  • Patent number: 9669738
    Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved vehicle access systems. In particular, one embodiment includes three compact, motorized mechanisms for pivoting a passenger seat toward a door opening, extending the passenger seat outside the door opening, lowering the passenger seat, and tilting the passenger seat to help the passenger stand. The first mechanism concurrently pivots the passenger seat and moves it sideways during the pivoting operation so that it is aligned with the door opening. The second mechanism extends the passenger seat outside the door opening. The third mechanism lowers the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ADAPT SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Christian Lemay, Etienne Carbonneau
  • Patent number: 9623769
    Abstract: A seat pedestal includes an open base upon which a plate assembly is mounted for translational movement upon the base. The plate assembly includes a bottom plate, a seat mount for supporting a seat, and a bearing means between the bottom plate and the seat mount to permit the seat mount to rotate. One lock releasably secures the plate assembly in the driving position and another, which is self-actuating, releases the seat mount so that it can rotate freely when it is in the resting position. A stop carried by the seat mount defines a range in which the seat may be rotated. At least one pair of interlocking members couples the seat mount with the bottom plate to transfer lateral loads born by the seat to the base. The bottom plate, the bearing means, and the seat mount have concentric openings through which wires may pass for accessories such as power/heated seats, headrests, and computer screens and related accoutrements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Roeglin, Hari Sunkara
  • Patent number: 9555723
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) has a turning device (10), including a base part (14), a seat part support (16) rotatable relative to the base part about an axis of rotation (12) and at least one catching device (20), preventing the seat part support (16) from being ripped out of the base part (14) in the event of a crash, including an insertion element (24) and a receiving element (26) into which the insertion element (24) can be inserted. The receiving element (26) has at least one spring element (40) which undergoes a deformation by contact with the inserted insertion element (24). The spring element (40) is designed such that, when the insertion element (24) is inserted, a spring resistance is approximately the same as when the insertion element (24) is not inserted. The spring resistance of the spring element increases upon a further deformation by the insertion element (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Gilmann, Andreas Golinski
  • Patent number: 9463715
    Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle seat is provided that allows a vehicle passenger seat, preferably a rear passenger seat mounted within the rear portion of the passenger cabin, to move laterally (i.e., side-to-side), fore-aft (i.e., forwards-backwards), and rotationally. As a result, an occupant of the passenger seat can optimize their seat position for the task at hand, e.g., relaxing, obtaining additional leg and/or shoulder room, rotating inwards during a conversation with others in the car, rotating outwards to aid vehicle egress, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Daniel Jefferson Muir
  • Patent number: 9227529
    Abstract: The invention relates to a utility vehicle seat with a seat part, with a backrest part and with a seat substructure for arrangement on a bodywork part of a utility vehicle. The seat substructure includes a rotation adjustment device for rotating at least the seat part with respect to the bodywork part with a ball bearing unit, and with a rotating shell part which is rotatable with respect to a stationary shell part. The utility vehicle seat further includes a rotation adjustment device overload protection unit with support elements by means of which the rotating shell part and the stationary shell part are additionally capable of being supported with respect to each other when the carrying capacity of one of the circular ball tracks reaches or exceeds a critical deformation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Erwin Haller
  • Patent number: 8985263
    Abstract: A mining shuttle car that trams on underground roadways includes a conveyor system and an operator's compartment adjacent to the conveyor system. The operator's compartment includes a rotatable seat and a control station. The operator's seat module is coupled to one or more joysticks that control the car, and the operator's seat module and the control station are mounted on a rotatable platform so as to be rotatable as a unit between a plurality of secured positions for operating the mining shuttle car. Forward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point in front of the seat, and rearward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point behind the seat. Forward and rearward movement of one of the joysticks steers the mining shuttle car in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of the rotational position of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam S. Peterson, Douglas F. Anderson, Terry M. Thomas, Darin M. Sutton, Randy Arnold
  • Patent number: 8398143
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method of using same for controlling the positioning of one or more of the seats for a vehicle, such as a double stroller, with an actuating mechanism beneath the seat that controls the seating arrangement from a tandem arrangement to a lateral arrangement and vice versa, in addition to the seat's pivoting, sliding and revolving. The apparatus comprises a frame anchored to the stroller, the frame having a plurality of stop members and supporting a ring carriage; a ring revolvably captured within the ring carriage; and an actuating mechanism beneath the seat, the mechanism comprising: a handle and a support housing for supporting the mechanism over the ring, for housing a sliding means for sliding the seat, and for supporting a revolving means for revolving the seat, along with the ring, around the frame and a pivoting means for pivoting the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Randal B Haley
  • Patent number: 8078364
    Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus includes: a vehicle seat; a swiveling drive unit that swivels the vehicle seat between the frontward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat faces the front of a vehicle and at least one of the outward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat is oriented in the outward direction of the vehicle and the inward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat is oriented in the inward direction of the vehicle; a traveling route information obtainment unit that obtains information on a traveling route along which the vehicle travels; and a control unit that controls the operation of the swiveling drive unit based on the information obtained by the traveling route information obtainment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 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: 8033589
    Abstract: A vehicle seat of the present invention has an engaged member, an engagement member and a guide portion. The engagement member is provided on the seat body so as to be movable between a restraint position and a restraint release position. The engagement member is capable of moving to the restraint position, so as to be advanced to a position in which the engagement member faces the engaged member, and is capable of moving to the restraint release position, so as to be retracted to a position in which the engagement member does not face the engaged member. The guide portion is capable of moving the engagement member to the restraint position when the seat body moves to the retracted position, and is capable of moving the engagement member to the restraint release position when the seat body is advanced from the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Kusanagi, Yoshiyuki Miura
  • Patent number: 8033605
    Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat main body having a seat cushion, a rotation mechanism that is arranged and constructed to horizontally rotate the seat main body with respect to a vehicle floor, a vertically moving mechanism that is arranged and constructed to vertically move the seat main body while moving the seat main body between vehicle interior and vehicle exterior, and a seat support that is capable of attaching the seat main body to the vertically moving mechanism. A cushion frame of the seat cushion is composed of a pair of longitudinal side frame elements, an anchor frame positioned between the side frame elements and anchor members attached to the anchor frame. The anchor frame is connected to the seat support via reinforcement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Miura, Tomoya Hirakawa, Kazuhiro Hibi
  • 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: 7694930
    Abstract: Apparatus for operation of a vehicle seat swivel or rotation mechanism are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a cable assembly having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable assembly is configured to be operatively coupled to a rotation mechanism of a vehicle seat. A release member is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable assembly so that the rotation mechanism is urged toward a locked condition in the absence of a force being applied to the release member by a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Allen Ritter, Bobby Leo Woodward
  • Publication number: 20100007165
    Abstract: A vehicle seat of the present invention has an engaged member, an engagement member and a guide portion. The engagement member is provided on the seat body so as to be movable between a restraint position and a restraint release position. The engagement member is capable of moving to the restraint position, so as to be advanced to a position in which the engagement member faces the engaged member, and is capable of moving to the restraint release position, so as to be retracted to a position in which the engagement member does not face the engaged member. The guide portion is capable of moving the engagement member to the restraint position when the seat body moves to the retracted position, and is capable of moving the engagement member to the restraint release position when the seat body is advanced from the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Kusanagi, Yoshiyuki Miura
  • Patent number: 7600732
    Abstract: A equipment support for aircraft and the like comprises a base to which a lower link, an intermediate link, and a equipment platform are attached. The lower link rotates horizontally about the base. The intermediate link rotates horizontally about the end of the lower link and the equipment platform rotates horizontally about the end of the intermediate link. This arrangement gives the equipment platform the ability to assume an infinite number of lateral positions and 360 degrees of rotation. The equipment support is locked in position by means of locking pins that engage corresponding metering plates adjacent the support bearings. The locking pins are released by a common linkage that sequentially releases the equipment platform rotation lock then simultaneously releases the rotation locks of the intermediate and lower links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Othar P. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7506918
    Abstract: In a seat and a maneuvering cabin for telescopic lifts, the seat comprises means for translating, predisposed to translate the seat forwards and backwards along a determined translation direction, and means for rotating, predisposed to rotate the seat about a rotation axis. The maneuvering cabin comprises: a frame for containing and supporting the cabin; at least a transparent front surface which is solidly constrained to the frame, through which an operator can observe outside the cabin in a frontal direction; a roof comprising a transparent portion, which transparent portion is contiguous to the front surface, through which an operator can observe outside the maneuvering cabin in an upwards direction through a predetermined angle of vision, and a non-transparent reinforced portion which is contiguous to the transparent portion; a maneuvering seat located internally of the frame and positioned below the reinforced portion of the roof facing the front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Manitou Costruzioni Industriali S.r.l.
    Inventor: Riccardo Magni
  • Patent number: 7451958
    Abstract: Apparatus for operation of a vehicle seat swivel or rotation mechanism are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a cable assembly having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable assembly is configured to be operatively coupled to a rotation mechanism of a vehicle seat. A release member is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable assembly so that the rotation mechanism is urged toward a locked condition in the absence of a force being applied to the release member by a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Allen Ritter, Bobby Leo Woodward
  • Patent number: 7434863
    Abstract: A rotation seat for a vehicle has a seat, a rotating plate and a base plate. The seat is fixed on the rotating plate which has a nail member and a biasing member. The biasing member forces the nail member. The rotating plate is rotatably connected to the base plate through a first shaft. The base plate has a guide slot so as to regulate extent of the rotation of the rotating plate by guiding the nail member. The guide slot has a first slot and a second slot. The biasing unit forces the second slot through the nail member so as to make the rotating plate rotate from an operator's exiting position to a forward driving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hamazaki, Kazushi Kamiya, Tomoaki Terada
  • Patent number: 7399035
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism that can release the rotation lock mechanism without using an actuator. In the present vehicle seat, a nut (73) is moved upon rotation of a screw shaft (72) so that the seat body is moved in the lateral direction of the vehicle. When the nut (73) is moved by a desired distance, a guide roller (69) is pushed so that an operation arm (66) is moved parallel with the guide roller. As a result, a lock plate (64) is rotated in an unlock direction so that a claw (64a) is disengaged from a striker (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Kusanagi, Yasuo Suga, Masamitsu Iwatani
  • Publication number: 20070284905
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a swing-out lower seat portion that allows ease of entering and exiting a vehicle. The lower seat portion pivots laterally independently of the seat back portion. The pivot axis is inside of the outer perimeter of the lower seat portion, preferably toward the outboard side of the seat. This position of the pivot axis allows the lower seat portion to pivot through the vehicle doorway without interfering with a vehicle console running fore and aft adjacent the seat opposite the doorway. The amount of pivoting is preferably at least 60 degrees and may be up to 90 degrees depending on the vehicle parameters, such as the location of B-pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Jack L. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7083214
    Abstract: In a movable seat for a vehicle, there are provided a seat body shiftable between inside and outside the vehicle passenger compartment, a seating member attached to the seat body to be movable between a first position where a sitter such as a humanoid biped robot is seated or unseated and a second position where the sitter is maintained seated, such that a location of a center of gravity of the sitter, when seated in the first position, with respect to a position of feet of the sitter is in a predetermined relationship, and a controller controlling an actuator to move the seating member toward one of the first and second positions in response to the inputted instruction, thereby enabling reliable seating, unseating, boarding and alighting, not only of elderly persons and others requiring special care but also of the humanoid robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Hayakawa, Takafumi Fukushima, Kazuhiro Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 6962383
    Abstract: A vehicle seat 1 includes a seat unit, a lift-up unit and a long-sliding unit. The lift-up unit moves the seat unit between an interior and an exterior of a vehicle via a door opening portion that corresponds to a passenger seat position. The long-sliding unit moves the seat unit between a driver's seat position and the fellow passenger seat position. The lift-up unit moves the seat unit downward when the seat unit is positioned at the driver's seat position, so that the seat unit is located at a suitable position for driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Takenoshita, Yoshirou Suehiro, Tomoyuki Kuroda, Teiji Naruse, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6688665
    Abstract: The invention concerns a seat, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a seat back, a cushion, a pivoting handle mounted on one of the lateral sides of the seat back and adapted to cause the seat back to tilt onto the cushion from a raised position, a rotary plate fixed under the cushion, and a pivoting lever affixed to the rotary plate and adapted to cause the cushion to rotate on itself with the seat back in the raised position. According to the invention, the seat comprises means for pivoting the pivoting lever immediately after the handle has pivoted so as to cause the cushion to rotate about the rotation axis of the rotary plate immediately after the back has been tilted on the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Serge Michel
  • Patent number: 6572172
    Abstract: A longitudinal support base 30 is provided with a rotating support base 10 that can be slide in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A seat body is placed on the rotating support base 10 via a rotary disc 13 so as to rotate. The longitudinal support base 30 is provided with an intermediate gear 22 that is engaged with a rack 21 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat. The seat body 2 side is provided with a pinion gear 24 that is engaged with the intermediate gear 11. The rotary disc 13 is rotated by means of a driving force of an electric motor 41. Thus, when the electric motor 41 is rotated, the seat body 2 rotates and slides in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mineki Ninomiya, Masamitsu Iwatani, Yoshiyuki Miura, Kenji Murabayashi, Tomoyuki Kuroda, Masanori Iwao, Takafumi Hijikata, Yasuo Suga, Takayuki Tajima, Tadashi Takenoshita, Yoshiro Suehiro
  • Patent number: 6557919
    Abstract: With respect to a rotating seat for a vehicle, for example, for the elderly or the handicapped, the known art requires two operations of moving a seat body forward and rotating it to a door opening, and is thus poor in usability. Further, if the seat is positioned to the front such that the seat can be rotated at that position, the space close to occupant's feet is sacrificed. It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a rotating vehicle seat having excellent usability without sacrificing the space close to occupant's feet. A rotating vehicle seat of the present invention includes a rotating support base 10 for rotatably supporting a seat body 2, a longitudinal support base for supporting and moving the rotating support base in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a coupling arrangement means 6, 38 disposed between the seat body 2 and the longitudinal support base for coupling the rotational movement and the longitudinal movement of the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Suga, Masamitsu Iwatani, Takafumi Hijikata, Tadashi Takenoshita, Yoshiyuki Miura, Mineki Tanaka