Including Hinged Backrest Patents (Class 296/65.09)
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Patent number: 12172558Abstract: A conveyance seat accommodable in a recess of a floor includes: a seat cushion; a front leg portion which supports a front lower portion of the seat cushion and of which one end is rotatably fixed at the front lower portion of the seat cushion and the other end is detachably fixed at a position in front of the recess; a rear leg portion which supports a rear lower portion of the seat cushion and of which one end is rotatably fixed at the rear lower portion of the seat cushion and the other end is rotatably fixed to the floor inside the recess; and an arm portion of which one end is rotatably fixed to the rear leg portion and the other end is fixable to the floor at a position behind the other end of the rear leg portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Takako Miyoshi, Takayuki Kobori, Akio Seya, Hiroki Shibayama, Kazuyoshi Iizuka, Ai Furuta, Kazuaki Mima, Yuichiro Hoshi, Tomohisa Chiba, Kensuke Mori, Hirokazu Onitsuka
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Patent number: 12139050Abstract: Disclosed is a seat frame for a vehicle, the seat frame including a back frame provided on a vehicle seat and including a rotary spring disposed at a lower end thereof, the rotary spring is configured to fold the vehicle seat forward when a lever operates, and a flat spring disposed at the lower end of the back frame and including a slider provided on a lower surface of the back frame and configured to fix the back frame so as to prevent the vehicle seat from being restored rearward when the vehicle seat is folded forward.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSYS INCORPORATEDInventors: Dong Hyeon Son, Woo Sool Song
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Patent number: 12128800Abstract: An occupant support for a vehicle includes a seat bottom arranged to overlie a floor of the vehicle, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend upwardly away from the floor, and a seat mode-change system that allows the rear occupant support to adjust the seat bottom and the seat back to provide a storage space.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLCInventors: Jeffery T. Bonk, Robert C. Fitzpatrick
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Patent number: 12109916Abstract: A seat assembly for a transport vehicle includes a seat base assembly configured to being coupled to a floor of the transport vehicle. The seat base assembly includes a seat and a cable system having a cable and an actuating mechanism operably coupled to the cable. A clamping arm is operatively coupled to the seat base assembly and the cable system. The actuating mechanism operably actuates the cable to move the clamping arm between an unlatched position and a latched position with respect to the floor. In the latched position, the seat base assembly is coupled to the floor, and in the unlatched position, the seat base assembly is decoupled from the floor.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventor: Sajed Dosenbach
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Patent number: 12103439Abstract: A multipurpose vehicle includes a vehicle body, an accommodating section (5) provided for the vehicle body and including a seat (20) in which an occupant is able to sit, and a changing mechanism (23) configured to change the horizontal orientation of the seat (20), wherein the changing mechanism (23) is configured to change the horizontal orientation of the seat so that the seat faces at least a predetermined first direction d1 or a predetermined second direction d2.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Kyouhei Hamamura, Takahiro Miyasaka, Tatsuya Yano
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Patent number: 12060108Abstract: A vehicle has a frame including a front frame module defining at least in part a cockpit, and a rear frame module having a cargo bed support structure. The vehicle has a rear seat row or a cargo bed support structure extension disposed rearwardly of a front seat row. A wheelbase length measured between centers of front and rear wheels of the vehicle is approximately the same regardless of which of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is disposed rearwardly of the front seat row. A longitudinal cargo pivot distance measured between the center of the front wheels and a cargo bed pivot axis is approximately the same regardless of which of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is disposed rearwardly of the front seat row. A method of assembling a vehicle of a family of vehicles is also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2021Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventor: Eric Chalifour
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Patent number: 12024294Abstract: An armrest assembly for a passenger seat is disclosed. The armrest assembly may be disposed in a stowed, collapsed or passenger configuration where the armrest assembly is of a first length, and also may be disposed in an extended or cargo configuration where the armrest assembly is of a second length that is greater than the first length. Such an armrest assembly may be used to convert all or a portion of a passenger compartment (e.g., of an aircraft) to a cargo compartment by disposing a plurality of armrest assemblies in their respective extended/cargo configuration. Any appropriate cargo may be disposed on/supported by one or more armrest assemblies in their extended/cargo configuration. A free distal end or distal end portion of each armrest assembly in its extended configuration may be anchored to/supported by an appropriate structure, such as an adjacent passenger seat or a bracket(s) attached to a wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: Vinod Kumar Shivalinga, Prateek Avaragolla Renukaprasanna
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Patent number: 11975634Abstract: A seat assembly includes a four-bar linkage for providing movement of the seat assembly between a plurality of positions in an automotive vehicle. The four-bar linkage includes front and rear links which simultaneously rotate to move the seat assembly between an easy entry position in which the seat assembly tilts forwardly and downwardly toward a floor of the automotive vehicle to allow ingress and egress behind the seat assembly, a stow position in which a seat cushion lowers toward the floor of the automotive vehicle and a seat back pivots toward and overlaps the seat cushion, and an intermediate design position in which the seat cushion is spaced from the floor of the automotive vehicle and the seat back is disposed generally upright to support an occupant. The seat assembly is capable of moving directly between the easy entry and stow positions without needing to intermediately return to the design position.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.Inventors: Ronald Zimmerman, II, Cheikh Dioum
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Patent number: 11897371Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat frame with reduced weight due to not including a cushion side frame, the seat frame comprising: a pair of rails; a cushion frame which supports a cushion and has a closed cross-sectional shape; front links which connect the rails to the cushion frame on the front side; rear links which connect the rails to the cushion frame on the rear side; and connection brackets which connect the rear links to a seatback frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: POSCOInventors: Jae-Hyun Kim, Hong-Woo Lee, Dong-Yoon Seok
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Patent number: 11884185Abstract: A vehicle seat having fewer components and having a pitching mechanism advantageous for strength/rigidity is provided. The vehicle seat includes: a base frame mounted in a vehicle compartment; a cushion frame pin-connected to a first connecting point of the base frame to be capable of a forward leaning operation; a back frame disposed to be capable of a reclining operation with respect to the cushion frame; a front link swingably pin-connected at a proximal end side thereof with a second connecting point of the base frame and slidably connected at a distal end side thereof with the cushion frame; a lock unit for locking the cushion frame to the base frame at a seated position and regulating a pitching operation of the main frame; and a release member for releasing a locked state.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.Inventors: Masakazu Takeda, Keita Myochin, Naoki Toda
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Patent number: 11833937Abstract: An occupant support includes a seat bottom and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend upwardly away from the seat bottom in a normal-seating configuration. The seat back is pivotable relative to the seat bottom between a plurality of positions. The seat back may be changed from an upright position to a folded-forward position.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLCInventors: Michael P. Miller, Grzegorz Wojtowicz
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Patent number: 11827133Abstract: A console assembly for use in a vehicle provided with a floor. The console assembly includes a guide member, coupled to the vehicle floor, a moving portion, a gearbox assembly, a transmission assembly, and a disengaging device. The gearbox assembly includes a gear configured to rotate about a rotational axis in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction to move the moving portion between a first position and a second position. The transmission assembly is configured to operate in a number of operating states, including an engaged state and a disengaged state. The disengaging device is configured to change the operating state of the transmission assembly between the engaged state and the operating state so that the moving portion is movable while the transmission assembly is in the disengaged state.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE SE & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURGInventor: James Elsarelli
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Patent number: 11772524Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising: a seat base frame, anchoring means for anchoring to the floor of a vehicle, a backrest pivotably hinged to the seat base frame, a substructure pivotably hinged to the anchoring means and to the backrest, a front connecting rod pivotably hinged to the anchoring means and to the seat base frame, a sector gear pivotably hinged to the anchoring means, an irreversible electric motor configured to cause rotation of the sector gear relative to the anchoring means, a first locking means for locking the rotation of the substructure relative to the anchoring means, a second locking means for locking the rotation of the backrest relative to the substructure, a third locking means for locking the rotation of the front connecting rod relative to the sector gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'AutomobileInventors: Sylvain Roche, David Epaud, Farouk Bouzid
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Patent number: 11731537Abstract: A vehicle passenger seat assembly includes a passenger seat and a rail system. The passenger seat includes a seat base and a seat back connected to the seat base. The passenger seat is movable between a seated condition for accommodating a seated passenger and non-seated condition where the passenger seat is tilted forward in a front-rear direction of the vehicle about a forward end portion of the seat base. The rail system is mounted to the seat base and configured to have mounted thereto a child car seat. The rail system is configured to move the child car seat along a lateral direction of the passenger seat between at least two seating locations defined by the passenger seat. The rail system is movable independent of the passenger seat to a forward tilted position to allow for movement of the passenger seat between the seated condition and the non-seated condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yousuf S. Riad, Kelly Michael Whalen, Michael J. Wilms, Mark David Bartlett, Wesley L. McClellan, Paul D. Nguyen, Susan L. Mostofizadeh, Anas Kachlan, Shane E. Platt, Gabriel J. Smith
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Patent number: 11584272Abstract: A ventilation assembly for a vehicle includes a duct disposed between a seating assembly and a vehicle floor having a first end with a first opening disposed at a first area of the vehicle and a second end with a second opening disposed at a second area of the vehicle. An air mover is disposed at one or more of the first and second ends of the duct, wherein the air mover is operable to move air along the duct.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Matthew Lewis
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Patent number: 11548418Abstract: A vehicle seat that accommodates at least two users includes a seating portion frame, a first backrest and a second backrest which are pivotally hinged to the seating portion frame according to a transverse axis, via a common hinge. The common hinge includes: a pivot pin comprising a first lateral portion, and a first housing arranged on the first backrest and receiving interiorly the first lateral portion by authorizing the rotation of the first backrest. The first lateral portion has a protruding rib and the first housing has a substantially keyhole shape, complementary with the radial section of the first lateral portion. The rib is oriented, according to an angle of between 30° and 60° relative to the vertical direction of the vehicle seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'AutomobileInventors: Rémi Klitting, Emmanuel Liegeois, Frederic Pinto
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Patent number: 11541787Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including an interior panel, a seat having a frame fixed to the panel, and a seat energy absorber operably associated with the seat and including a backing and a bracket. The backing is formed from the vehicle body and positioned separated from the seat to define a space between the seat and the backing along a length of the panel, and the bracket is mounted in the space on at least one of the seat and the backing such that a proximal end portion of the bracket is located closer to the seat than the backing, and a distal end portion of the bracket is located closer to the backing than the seat. During a crash event a section of the panel is configured to collapse against the seat when the seat is driven toward the panel relative to the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: John F. Howard, Jr., Eric D. Daume, John J. Hwang, Carlington G. Demetrius, Akira Miyazaki, Yoshiaki Ikeda, Benjamin M. Oros, Junichi Suzuki, Fernando M. Rosero, Yosuke Nishimura
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Patent number: 11541782Abstract: A cockpit module for a vehicle is introduced, which includes a dashboard provided in front or in the rear of an internal space of the vehicle; a control panel provided in an upper portion of the dashboard and configured of facilitating an occupant to operate the control panel by being accommodated in the dashboard when moving backward thereof and by being deployed toward the occupant when moving forward thereof; and a seat being accommodated in a lower portion of the dashboard in a folded state, and being disposed in the front facing the dashboard when being deployed to be provided to the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Dong Eun Cha, Jin Ho Hwang, Sang Heon Lee
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Patent number: 11529891Abstract: In order to prevent distortion of slide rails caused by an urging force generated by an urging member in a vehicle tumble seat, a vehicle seat is capable of taking a stowed position in which a seat back 6L is folded onto a seat cushion 5L and the seat cushion 5L together with the folded seat back 6L is rotatably lifted away from a floor 3, and the vehicle seat is configured to include: a support member 31 coupled to the floor; a rotating member 33L rotatably supported by the support member via a support shaft extending in a right-left direction; a lower rail 41 extending in a front-rear direction and coupled at an end to the rotating member so as to be extend literally offset relative to the support shaft; an upper rail 42 slidably supported by the lower rail and coupled to the seat cushion; a coupling device 51 provided at a second end of the lower rail on a side toward the support shaft and capable of selectably connecting to the floor; and an urging device 60 extending the front-rear direction and having oType: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasutaka Abe, Yuta Sugaya
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Patent number: 11505094Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for controlling a moving console. When a seat of a vehicle is moved forwards or rearwards, a console is automatically moved to a usable position adjacent to the seat, whereby it is possible for a passenger on the seat to conveniently use the console. In addition, when the seat is swiveled, the console is automatically moved to a position at which interference between the console and the seat is avoidable, whereby the seat is swiveled smoothly.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSYS INC.Inventors: Sin Jeong Kang, Duk Kyu Byun, Seong Bin Jeong, Byung Wan Bae
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Patent number: 11465750Abstract: A passenger seat system for a transportation system includes at least one support structure and at least one seat, which includes a seat frame, which is movable and arrestable on the support structure and has an underside that rests on the support structure and an upper side that receives a seating surface. The seat frame has an arresting device on the underside and an operating unit on the upper side coupled with the arresting device. This is movable into an arresting position and a release position and is blockable at least in the arresting position through a lockable blocking device. The arresting device is adapted for arresting the seat frame on the support structure with the operating unit being in the arresting position and to release it with the operating unit being in the release position.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Inventor: Claus-Peter Gross
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Patent number: 11453317Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The seating system includes a first seating assembly having a first seat base pivotable between use and pivoted positions. A second seating assembly is adjacent to the first seating assembly and includes a second seat base that is pivotable between use and pivoted positions. The first and second seat bases are operable between interdependent conditions, wherein movement of the first seat base between the use and pivoted positions causes the second seat base to move between the use and pivoted positions, and independent conditions, wherein the first seat base is operable to move between the use and pivoted positions independently of the second seat base.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael John Harmon, Arnav Wagh, Gabriella M. G. Jacobsen, Carlos Gonzales, Michael Huskey, David Vondle, Jevon Gerweck, Daveanand M. Singh
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Patent number: 11396253Abstract: A seating assembly having a seating assembly frame that includes a seat frame and a seatback frame. The seating assembly includes an extension member coupled to the seat frame and movable in response to an actuating force between an extended position relative to the seat frame and a compressed position relative to the seat frame and including an end fixedly coupled to the seat frame and an end coupled to an adjustment device disposed on the seat frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Ratan Howlader, Robert Charles Shipley, Patrick Davis, Ian James, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, David Frederick Lyons, Sean Bayle West
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Patent number: 11390188Abstract: A latch device includes a latch engageable with a rod portion of a striker, and is capable of transition to a locked state in which the latch is engaged with the rod portion and to an unlocked state in which the latch is disengaged from the rod portion, and includes a first shaft member that supports the latch in a manner that permits the latch to rotate, and a base member that supports the first shaft member. The base member is a unitary member which includes a first support wall disposed on one side of the latch and configured to support one end of the first shaft member, a second support disposed on an other side of the latch and configured to support an other end of the first shaft member, and a connecting wall that connects the first support wall and the second support wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.Inventor: Yoichi Tachikawa
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Patent number: 11364823Abstract: Provided is a vehicle-seat apparatus including: a front link whose upper end portion is connected to a front portion of a seat cushion; a sliding member connected to a lower end portion of the front link; a sliding guidance member installed on a bottom surface of the accommodation space to extend backward and forward and thus to guide linear backward and forward movements of the sliding member; an L-shaped main link whose front end portion is connected to a body of the front link and whose rear upper end portion is connected to a lower end portion of a seat back; a fixation bracket installed on an upper end portion of a rear wall of the accommodation space; and a rear support link whose front upper end portion is connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and whose rear lower end portion is connected to the fixation bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Inventors: Ji Sung Bae, Dae Keon Jang, Hyung Sun Park
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Patent number: 11124097Abstract: A latch assembly for a vehicle seating assembly includes a support plate having an arm. The arm defines a receiving well. A retention member is coupled with the support plate. A latch member is operably coupled with a seat base frame and the arm of the support plate. The latch member is selectively engaged with the retention member. A release assembly is operably coupled with the latch member. The release assembly includes a latch link coupled with the latch member at a first end. A rod link is rotatably coupled with a second end of the latch link and is fixedly coupled with a torque rod. Movement of the first end of the latch link toward a front of the seat base frame is configured to rotate the latch member and the torque rod.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Mark Caye
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Patent number: 11091067Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly has a seat, a seatback and a bracket extending between the seat and the seatback with a first pivotable coupling between the bracket and the seat, a second pivotable coupling between the bracket and the seatback, and a sector gear portion with a gear assembly including a spur gear. The sector gear portion is disposed along an edge of the bracket, wherein the spur gear is rotatable to engage the sector gear portion of the bracket to move the bracket from a first position to a second position to move the second pivotable coupling from a primary position to a secondary position.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Keith Allen Godin, Sean Bayle West, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Deeptej Kudav
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Patent number: 11021109Abstract: A vehicle having a hidden storage compartment with a user notification system and method of using the same is provided. The vehicle includes a storage container securely fixed onto an interior surface of a vehicle floor panel in the footwell area. A floor covering is disposed over the footwell area covering the storage container and includes a flap having a living hinge configured to selectively cover and uncover the lid of the storage container. The storage container includes a biometric scanner, a mass sensor, and a lid sensor in communication with a notification controller. The notification controller analyzes the information received from the biometric scanner, lid sensor, and mass sensor, and determines the state of the storage container based on a logic table. The notification controller then selectively transmit a predetermined message to the user based on the state of the storage container.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nikhil H N, Tanmay Balse, Vinodkumar Ganiger, Rajkiran Kulkarni
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Patent number: 10899256Abstract: A seat assembly, for a vehicle having a frame member, includes a seat back, a seat cushion, and a seat bracket. The frame member extends along a floor of the vehicle and includes a bore. The seat cushion is pivotally coupled to the seat back for movement between a use position and a raised position. The seat bracket is coupled to at least one of the seat back and the seat cushion. The seat bracket includes a pin that extends downwardly in a vehicle vertical direction. The pin engages with the bore to temporarily attach the seat cushion and the seat back to the frame member on the floor of the vehicle and inhibit a rotation of the seat assembly in a vehicle forward direction when the seat cushion is in the raised position due to the engagement of the pin extending through the bore of the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Shelby L. Brown, Edward Qiu, Patrick J. Edgar, Jacob C. Herget, Vikas Bhatia, Robert Jones, John Salvia
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Patent number: 10899250Abstract: A seating assembly is provided that includes a seatback movable into a pitched position along a track. A first cam is engageable with a release lever of the track. A second cam is engageable with a bypass cam that is raised over a stop as the seatback moves to the pitched position. An intermediate lock is engageable with a pin positioned on a middle support arm of the seat base when the seatback is in the pitched position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Macit Aktas, Kurt Leon Kormos, Joseph Michael Kish
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Patent number: 10843599Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back supported by a seat back frame, a seat cushion supported by a seat cushion frame, a forward leg fixed to a vehicle floor and including a slot that slidingly receives a forward portion of the seat cushion frame, a rear leg fixed to the vehicle floor, the seat back frame is pivotally connected to the rear leg, a rear leg linkage pivotally connected to the rear leg and to a rear portion of the seat cushion frame, and a main linkage pivotally connected to the rear leg linkage and the seat back frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Daniel Arico
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Patent number: 10766389Abstract: A seat cushion part includes a base fabric extending between and looped around a front edge frame and a rear edge frame, and having an upper layer part and a lower layer part which are provided apart from each other in an up-down direction. Wire members of metal are provided respectively on side edge portions of the base fabric, and coil springs are spring members each extending between an end portion of the wire member and the front edge frame or the rear edge frame. A load further applied due to vibration, impact, and so on causes the upper layer part to come into contact with the lower layer part to also displace the lower layer part in the up-down direction. Consequently, the coil springs connected through the wire members extend/contract, and their elastic force acts.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignees: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD., DELTA TOOLING CO., LTD.Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Yumi Ogura, Eiji Sugimoto, Minoru Nakamura, Ryuji Kuwano
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Patent number: 10730426Abstract: A utility vehicle has a frame that is separable at a location passing through an operator compartment of the vehicle into front and rear sections with the seat base and seat assembly of the operator compartment remaining with the rear section and the rest of the operator compartment remaining with the front section. A seat extension kit is provided having a frame extension, a seat module, and a floorboard module that may be inserted between the split front and rear sections with the frame extension being fastened to such sections using pre-existing fastener holes in the vehicle frame and the frame extension. When so inserted, the seat module forms a new front row of seating with the floorboard module extending between the seat module and the original seat base and seat assembly, which now form a rear row of seating. This expands the vehicle seating capacity from two people to four people.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Jeremy A. Fohrenkamm, Gordon R. Schmidt, David A. Plautz, Timothy P. McLeod, Jamie R. Larson, Erik A. Wiebold
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Patent number: 10725239Abstract: A waveguide structure including a mid-infrared-transparent waveguide on a mid-infrared-transparent undercladding may serve as a photonic chemical sensor for measuring characteristic absorptions of analytes brought in physical contact with the waveguide. In some embodiments, a sensor including an amorphous-silicon waveguide on a barium-titanate undercladding can operate at wavelengths ranging from 2.5 ?m to about 7 ?m; this sensor may be manufactured by epitaxial growth of the undercladding on a substrate, followed by CMOS-compatible creation of the waveguide. Additional embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventor: Pao Tai Lin
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Patent number: 10710473Abstract: An apparatus includes a track, a carriage displaceable along the track, a storage and seating module and a swivel. The swivel connects the storage and seating module to the carriage. The swivel allows the storage and seating module to be selectively oriented in a first position or a second position on the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Horace Hagedorn, Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Adam Ewel
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Patent number: 10647236Abstract: A latch assembly for a seating assembly includes a dual cam latch positioned on a sector arm. The sector arm includes first and second pins. The first pin operably couples a structural cam to the sector arm. The structural cam is operable between blocked and removed positions. An adjustment cam is operably coupled to the structural cam and the sector arm by the first pin. A locking hook is operably coupled to the sector arm by the second pin and is rotatable between a locked and unlocked positions. A return spring operably couples the locking hook with the structural cam. The locking hook is rotated to the unlocked position when the structural cam is drawn to the removed position. When the locking hook is rotated to the unlocked position, the sector arm is movable into a pitched position to provide entry space rearward of the seating assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Jeffrey Gabalski
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Patent number: 10632889Abstract: A retractable table assembly (5) for an automobile has a housing (6) located between the rear seats (2,3). Two tabletops (17a, 17b) are stowed in the housing and deployed on rotatable arms (12a, 12b). The arms are resiliently biased to the deployment position and when stowed, the tabletops are kept in place by push-push latches. A secondary link (16) between the tabletops and the pivot-point of the arms is provided, which maintains the relative disposition of the tabletop in relation to the housing during deployment. The tabletops can be deployed side-by-side so as to provide an expanded surface for working on.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Bentley Motors LimitedInventors: Lucy Bywaters, Clive McVety, James Piggin
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Patent number: 10618444Abstract: A seating assembly comprises a seat base operably coupled to a track assembly and a latch assembly configured to couple the seat base to the track assembly. The latch assembly comprises a sector arm operably coupled to a first pivot pin and a second pivot pin, wherein the first pivot pin is operably coupled to the seat base, a striker operably coupled to the second pivot pin and including a striker pin, and a dual cam latch operably coupled to the sector arm and disposed between the first pivot pin and the second pivot pin and operable between a lowered position in which the latch assembly is engaged with the striker pin and a raised position in which the latch assembly is released.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Jeffrey Gabalski
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Patent number: 10518667Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirohisa Abe, Toshiyuki Tsujibayashi
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Patent number: 10513204Abstract: A lifter mechanism for an edge of a seat cushion includes a bracket detachable from and rotatable about a transverse bar. The bracket includes a forward lever and a rearward portion. The forward lever is coupled to a seat suspension. The rearward portion is coupled to a linkage. The linkage is coupled to a seatback. The forward lever raises an edge of the seat suspension upon the seatback pivoting to a predetermined reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Adam Ewel, Jimmy Moua, Corbin Shea Johnston, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Robert Damerow, Johnathan Andrew Line, Paul Iacoban, S. M. Akbar Berry
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Patent number: 10493876Abstract: A raisable seat for a vehicle, comprising a frame for a seating portion, a rail, a raising mechanism suitable for moving the seating portion frame relative to the rail between a lowered position and a raised position, said raising mechanism comprising on each side of the seat at least one connecting rod, said connecting rod having a rod body with an upper end connected to the frame and a lower end connected to the rail, at least one connecting rod also comprising a protuberance extending from the lower end, the protuberance extending facing the rail, said connecting rod being adapted to deform, in the event of an impact, between a first state in which a gap separates the rail and the protuberance regardless of the position of the seating portion frame between the lowered position and the raised position, and a second state in which the protuberance is in contact at least locally with the rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: FAURECIA SIÈGES D'AUTOMOBILEInventors: Christian Couasnon, Sylvain Deschamps
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Patent number: 10421382Abstract: A seat for a vehicle is provided. The seat comprises a lock device having an unlocked position and a locked position and an unlock groove disposed on a seat back. The unlock groove is in communication with the lock device and configured to receive a tongue of a seatbelt, and the lock device is unlocked when the tongue is inserted into the unlock groove.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Josh Zheng, Qingsong Ma, Bob Wang, Laurence Yin, Sophie Yan
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Patent number: 10391897Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a seat for vehicles in which a seat cushion flip-up mechanism can be space-saving. In a seat for vehicles which has a flip-up mechanism to shift a seat cushion frame (200) disposed on a base part (5) from a normal seating posture (200-1) to a flipped-up posture (200-2), the flip-up mechanism includes: a support leg part (301) having one end connected to the seat cushion frame (200) rotatably around a first rotation shaft (303) and the other end connected to the base part (5) rotatably around a second rotation shaft (302); a guide part (201a) to be engaged with the one end of the support leg part (301) to guide the one end so as to lift the one end; and a coil spring (305) applying a biasing force so as to have the one end guided by the guide part (201a) and flip up a portion (303) connected with the seat cushion frame (200).Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuya Imayou, Toshiki Igarashi, Yayoi Hirano, Shunsuke Yamaoka
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Patent number: 10328826Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, includes a seat part (3), a backrest (5) and a four-bar-linkage arrangement (10), having a coupler (20), for the at least indirect coupling of the seat part (3) to a vehicle floor (S). The vehicle seat (1) is transferable from a use position suitable for transporting an individual either into a first non-use position or into a second non-use position. The seat part (3) has a seat-part frame (30), which is pivotable relative to the coupler (20), and a locking device (52), which blocks a pivoting of the seat-part frame (30) relative to the coupler (20) in a first actuating state of the locking means (52). The locking device (52) permits a pivoting of the seat-part frame (30) relative to the coupler (20) in a second actuating state of the locking device (52).Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.À.R.L.Inventors: Shivaprasad Ramachandra, Annal Ponnarasu Ganesan, Peter Hudák, Bernd Hopp, Helmut Jeck, Walter Link, Karthikeyan M. Subramanian, James Abraham
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Patent number: 10308147Abstract: A release mechanism for a reclining vehicle seat assembly includes an activation mechanism, for example a lever or handle, and a transmission. The transmission is coupled to the activation mechanism via a wire for releasing a seat back of the vehicle seat assembly. The transmission includes a plurality of meshed gears for transmitting a torque created by movement of the activation mechanism from a gear of the plurality of gears attached to the wire to a shaft associated with the seat back. Rotation of the shaft releases the seat back for rotation. A shield partially covers a side of the base and seat back, and covers the transmission and wire. The activation mechanism is uncovered allowing the passenger to activate the release mechanism and is positioned in a readily accessible zone relative a passenger hip point. The position avoids interference with the seat belt and occupies minimal space between the side shield and vehicle side.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Diego Santillán Gutierrez, Fernando Paisano Rodriguez
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Patent number: 10245978Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat element (2) which can be pivoted from a use position into a stowed position. Said vehicle seat comprises locking means (14). Said locking means interact with the seat element (2) in a positive and/or friction fit in a fixed position adopted in the use position, along a first direction (F) and a second direction (G).Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Roman Ecker, Dirk Dubois, Jürgen Naßhan, Erik Weber
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Patent number: 10239431Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat. An attachment bracket is coupled to an underside of the seat and includes forwardly-extending hook features. Each hook feature defines a receiving aperture to receive a front cross-tube. A polymeric overmold is disposed over each hook feature. A downwardly-extending retention member is disposed between the hook features. Rear support hooks are configured to engage a rear cross-tube of the seat as a seat carrier is rotated downwardly into position during manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, S. M. Akbar Berry, Christian J. Hosbach, Carol Casey
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Patent number: 10081290Abstract: A utility vehicle has a frame that is separable at a location passing through an operator compartment of the vehicle into front and rear sections with the seat base and seat assembly of the operator compartment remaining with the rear section and the rest of the operator compartment remaining with the front section. A seat extension kit is provided having a frame extension, a seat module, and a floorboard module that may be inserted between the split front and rear sections with the frame extension being fastened to such sections using pre-existing fastener holes in the vehicle frame and the frame extension. When so inserted, the seat module forms a new front row of seating with the floorboard module extending between the seat module and the original seat base and seat assembly, which now form a rear row of seating. This expands the vehicle seating capacity from two people to four people.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Jeremy A. Fohrenkamm, Gordon R. Schmidt, David A. Plautz, Timothy P. McLeod, Jamie R. Larson, Erik A. Wiebold
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Patent number: 10076977Abstract: A modular backrest control includes a mounting bracket, a pivot bracket attached to the mounting bracket, a pivot rod rotatably mounted on the pivot bracket, a lever arm mounted on the pivot rod, and a user actuated lever handle rigidly mounted on the pivot rod. The lever arm is rotatable from a first position to a second position. The lever arm has a connector for attachment to a backrest actuation cable. The user actuated lever handle is rotatable between a lock position and a release position such that rotation of the lever handle from the lock position to the release position causes rotation of the lever arm from a first position to a second position. Characteristically, rotation from the first position to the second position actuates the backrest actuation cable.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Angelo Falchero, Giovanni De Nichilo
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Patent number: 10065548Abstract: A seat control system is used with a seat of a vehicle and includes a housing, a first pulley rotatable between first, second, and third positions, and a second pulley rotatable between first and second positions. The seat control system includes a first input cable rotating a first pulley when tensioned, a first output cable tensioned by the first pulley, and a second output cable tensioned by the second pulley. A pawl is coupled to and movable with the first pulley between the first, second, and third positions and selectively rotatable relative to the first pulley. The pawl engages the second pulley to couple and rotate the first and second pulleys from the first positions to the second positions. The pawl disengages the second pulley as the first pulley rotates from the second position to the third position to permit rotation of the second pulley to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Kongsberg Interior Systems II, LLCInventors: Sean Dunn, Kelly Harvester