Having Rail Patents (Class 296/65.13)
  • Patent number: 8251428
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail, formed into a longitudinal shape and adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail adapted to be fixed to a seat frame, and assembled to the lower rail to be relatively movable in a longitudinal direction of the lower rail, and a detachment prevention mechanism including an elongated hole, which is formed at the bottom wall portion to open therethrough and which extends in the longitudinal direction, and a load receiving member whose upper end portion is fixed to the upper wall portion and whose lower end portion is inserted downwardly through the elongated hole so as to be movable in an extending direction of the elongated hole, and is engageable with the bottom wall portion in the vicinity of the elongated hole to restrict a movement of the upper rail in an upper direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 8251335
    Abstract: A lower rail 3 has a first cut-and-raised piece 22, and an upper rail 4 has a second cut-and-raised piece 23. The first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 each have a facing surface 22a, 23a that faces and is contactable with the facing surface of the other cut-and-raised piece along the moving direction of the upper rail 4. The first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 are engaged with each other so as to limit the movement range of the upper rail 4 relative to the lower rail 3. On the facing surface 22a and the facing surface 23a, inclination angles ? and ? are provided that generate a force causing the first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 to be more deeply engaged with each other, respectively. This prevents the first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 from being easily disengaged from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Patent number: 8215695
    Abstract: A removable vehicle seat includes a base, a removable seat main body, and a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism configured to removably attach the removable seat main body to the base. The first attachment mechanism includes a pin provided to the removable seat main body; and an attachment member provided to the base, and provided with a groove to which the pin is inserted. A disengagement prevention structure is provided between the pin and the attachment member, the disengagement prevention structure being configured to prevent the pin from disengaging from the groove. The second attachment mechanism includes a striker provided to the removable seat main body; and a lock device provided to the base and configured to releasably engage with the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ida, Mikihito Muramatsu, Brian Thiel, Trevor Delanoy, Louis Vetere
  • Patent number: 8215602
    Abstract: A longitudinal seat adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a first seat support member that is attachable to a vehicle. A second seat support member that is movable with respect to the first seat support member and configured to support the seat such that the seat is movable with the second seat support member is also provided. A locking member that is movable generally vertically with respect to the first and second seat support members between a locked position and an unlocked position for locking and unlocking the second seat support member with respect to the first seat support member is additionally provided. The locking member is a substantially planar two-part locking member and includes a first part generally horizontally movable with respect to a second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Walter, Joerg Sternberg, Andre Schebaum, Marc Laumeier, Michael Wojatzki, Hans-Peter Mischer
  • Publication number: 20120153658
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, including two links movable for adjustment in height of the seat, is provided with a reinforcing transmission shaft. The reinforcing transmission shaft is rotatably connected between two frame members of seat cushion frame in the seat, while extending through the two links. Further, two pinions are fixed on the respective two end portions of the reinforcing transmission shaft and respectively meshed with two gear portions defined in the respective two links. With such arrangement, in the case of rear-end collision, most of great load applied to the links is transmitted, via the reinforcing transmission shaft, pinions and gear portions, to each of the two frame members, thereby preventing deformation of one of the two links to avoid lowering of the seat or inclination of one side of the seat as found in a rear-end collision case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8196887
    Abstract: A seat mount with integrated adjustment that includes a seat base with integrally molded slide bearing receiving pockets that each receives an integrally formed slide bearing of one piece and unitary construction that engages apertures formed in a seat mount that preferably is a seat slide plate or seat mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Milsco Manufacturing Company, A Unit Of Jason Incorporated
    Inventors: Bruce Dahlbacka, Kenneth Braun
  • Patent number: 8182014
    Abstract: With a vehicle seat arranging structure, a second-row passenger-side seat may be placed in a rearward slide position by sliding the second-row passenger-side seat toward the rear of a vehicle by 150 millimeters so that the second-row passenger-side seat is closer to the rear of the vehicle than the second-row driver-side seat. In addition, each of the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat may be placed in an obliquely-inward frontward-oriented position by swiveling each of the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat from the frontward-oriented position 10 degrees inward in the vehicle-width direction. In this way, the sense of distance between the occupants seated in the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat is reduced. As a result, it is possible to promote communication between these occupants (to make it easier for these occupants to communicate with each other).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Teiji Mabuchi, Osamu Fujimoto, Makoto Itou, Kei Matsui, Yoshihiro Suda
  • Patent number: 8162373
    Abstract: A mounting system for a seat of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The mounting system includes a sliding rail, a mounting foot member and a covering member. The covering member includes a covering portion and an attachment portion. The covering portion may cover the mounting foot member. In some cases, the covering portion may cover the mounting foot member mounted in a recessed groove in a floor of a motor vehicle. The attachment portion may engage the sliding rail of the mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Cao, Dai Higashida
  • Patent number: 8146877
    Abstract: The vehicle seat runner has a first runner element receiving a vehicle seat element, and a complementary runner element fastened to the vehicle. A first fin wall and a second fin wall that are mutually parallel and that are spaced apart from each other are connected together via a base wall. Each fin wall has an inside face, the inside faces of the two fin walls facing each other. The inside faces are connected to each other in an additional connection region situated under the base wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: René Rohee, Jean-Marie Fretel
  • Patent number: 8146978
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail movable relative to the lower rail and a lock member for restricting the relative movement of the upper and lower rails. The restriction of the relative movement can be released and the lock-released position can be retained. The seat slide device further includes a memory piece detachably engaged with the lower rail and provided in a direction separating from the lower rail and engaging therewith when a seatback is reclined forward, wherein the memory piece is moved in association with the movement of the upper rail by retaining the memory piece at the receiving portion and the shaped portion when the memory piece is separated from the lower rail and wherein the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail at the engaging portion when the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 8128051
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes lower rails, upper rails, screw mechanisms provided between the upper rails and the lower rails, the screw mechanism including a screw shaft and a nut which is engaged with the screw shaft, one of the screw shaft and the nut being mounted to the upper rail so as to rotate, the other of the screw shaft and the nut being fixedly mounted to the lower rail, and a slide driving mechanism including a driving motor, a transmission mechanism for transmitting a rotational force outputted from the driving motor to one of the screw shaft and the nut so as to rotate, a bracket having the driving motor and the transmission mechanism mounted thereon and connecting the upper rails, and a protection cover attached to the bracket for covering at least lower and bottom sides of the driving motor and the transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Koga, Jueru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8091675
    Abstract: To realize an easy maintenance of the load sensor. A passenger's weight measurement device includes a left and right pair of fixed lower rails which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail, load sensors which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail, load sensors which are disposed on the movable upper rail to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail, a sub frame which is mounted on the load sensors, side frames which are welded to the sub frame, and a pan frame which is detachably disposed to the side frames to cover the front of the side frames. A gouged section is formed on the side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 8075039
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rail comprising a fixed profiled section and a mobile profiled section sliding relative to the fixed profiled section. The body has a linking portion wherein the body is shaped like a plate having first and second opposite lateral surfaces, and an edge linking said first and second surfaces. A first profiled section comprises a groove. The linking portion is tightly fitted in the groove. The plate is attached to the first profiled section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
    Inventors: René Rohee, Jean-Marie Fretel
  • Patent number: 8061756
    Abstract: An electrically operated seat slide apparatus includes a lower rail fixed to a floor of a vehicle body, and an upper rail slidably disposed to the lower rail. A seat is connected to the upper rail. A screw shaft is disposed inside the upper rail. A nut is threadedly connected to the screw shaft and connected to the lower rail. A motor is disposed to side of the upper rail. A gear box is fixed to the upper rail to transmit a rotation of the motor to the screw shaft. Additionally, first and second plates are provided for allowing an impact load applied to the upper rail to be directly transmitted to the screw shaft so as to prevent the impact load from being transmitted through the gear box to the screw shaft, and for setting a moving range of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kimata, Takaya Kanazawa
  • Publication number: 20110278875
    Abstract: A sliding rail for a vehicle seat, comprising a fixed section and a mobile section assembled to slide on the fixed section and controlled by a screw-nut system comprising a longitudinal adjusting screw. The adjusting screw is an integral part of a support which comprises a base pressing against the bottom of the fixed section. The base and the bottom of the fixed section are traversed by an attaching screw screwed into the floor of the vehicle. The base of the support is held against the bottom of the fixed section by a retaining bracket which passes above the base and which is an integral part of the bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: FAURECIA SIEGES D'AUTOMOBILE
    Inventor: Christian Couasnon
  • Patent number: 8052195
    Abstract: Device for energy absorption in particular for an automotive vehicle seat upon impact, said device comprising a first element substantially in the form of a plate with a hole and a second element inserted in the hole, said first element comprising a series of cutouts that are successive along a deformation direction and define a series of yokes between each other extending along a direction of elongation transversal to the direction of deformation, said yokes having each a length along the direction of elongation, said length increases strictly from one yoke to the next according to the distance of the yokes in relation to the second element and the yokes having an overall concavity turned towards the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Christophe Aufrere, Ho-Sung Kang, Julien Meghira
  • Patent number: 8052113
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a cushioning member provided at one of an operational lever and a lock lever. The cushioning member is configured to contact the other of the operational lever and the lock lever for restricting a contact of an end portion of the operational lever with the lock lever at an initial stage of the rotational operation of the operational lever and is configured to allow a contact of the end portion of the operational lever with the lock lever when canceling the restriction of the movement of an upper rail relative to a lower rail by the lock lever in response to the rotational operation of the operational lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Genta Moriyama, Mikihito Nagura, Taku Harada
  • Patent number: 8047596
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat (1) has an inclinable seat part (2). Front and rear bearings (7, 5) have upper ends pivotably connected to front and rear areas of the seat part (2) and having lower ends mounted pivotably in bearings (7, 5) in floor rails (10). The front bearings (7) have an adjustable length for changing an inclination of the seat part (2). First additional links (11) are mounted pivotably about a first axis (G2) in the seat part (2). Second additional links (12) have lower ends mounted pivotably in the rails (10) and upper parts connected pivotably to the first additional link (11) at a second axis (G6) spaced from the first axis (G2). An inclinable backrest (3) is mounted pivotably in the first additional link (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Jungert, Tassilo Gilbert, Thomas Heger
  • Patent number: 8011713
    Abstract: A seat arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle with a first vehicle seat and a second vehicle seat that is arranged adjacent to the first vehicle seat in the transverse direction. The vehicle seats include, but are not are not limited to a seat part and a back rest. The first vehicle seat can be displaced in the transverse direction from a first position into a second position in which the first vehicle seat is offset in the direction of the second vehicle seat. The second vehicle seat can furthermore be folded from a service position into an idle position. The seat part of the second vehicle seat is lowered in the idle position such that the seat part of the first vehicle seat is arranged above the seat part of the second vehicle seat in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Hermann-Walter Schlamann
  • Patent number: 8011715
    Abstract: To realizes an easy maintenance of the load sensor. A passenger's weight measurement device 1 comprises a left and right pair of fixed lower rails 3 which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails 4 which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail 3, load sensors 50 and 60 which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 which are disposed on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, a sub frame 110 which is mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80, side frames 141 and 142 which are welded to the sub frame 110, and a pan frame 143 which is detachably disposed to the side frames 141 and 142 to cover the front of the side frames 141 and 142. A gouged section 151 is formed on the side frame 141.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 8006949
    Abstract: A seat slide device includes a handle rotatably supported in holding holes provided respectively at a pair of upper rails to rotate a radial projection portion for releasing a lock mechanism, and a bearing member having an outer edge portion disposed between the upper rail and the radial projection portion formed at the handle, a holding portion disposed between the upper rail and the outer periphery of the handle, and a cushioning portion allowing the handle to move in an axial direction. The bearing member is disposed to fit into the holding hole for supporting the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Masatoshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8002071
    Abstract: To realizes an easy maintenance of the load sensor. A passenger's weight measurement device 1 comprises a left and right pair of fixed lower rails 3 which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails 4 which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail 3, load sensors 50 and 60 which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 which are disposed on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, a sub frame 110 which is mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80, side frames 141 and 142 which are welded to the sub frame 110, and a pan frame 143 which is detachably disposed to the side frames 141 and 142 to cover the front of the side frames 141 and 142. A gouged section 151 is formed on the side frame 141.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 7997653
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back that is moveable between a first vertical position and a second vertical position forward and upward of the first vertical position. The vehicle seat assembly has a track assembly providing fore and aft adjustment. The vehicle seat assembly further includes at least one pivot assembly operatively coupled to the track assembly and pivotally mounted to a floor of a motor vehicle. The pivot assembly pivots the vehicle seat assembly between the seating position and a stand-up position. A stand-up link slidingly couples the pivot assembly and the seat back. A link lock locks to present a solid link between the pivot assembly and the seat back. The solid link guides the seat back between the first vertical position and the second vertical position as the vehicle seat assembly moves between the seating position and the stand-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Szybisty, Xiao Jun Wei, Ephraim Mark DeDios Lapingcao, Jeffrey P. Carroll, Selvakumaresan Veluswamy
  • Patent number: 7992914
    Abstract: A seat arrangement is provided for an automobile comprising a vehicle seat, a longitudinal guide for displacement of the vehicle seat in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse guide for displacement of the vehicle seat in the transverse direction. A forced guidance is furthermore provided, this being configured in such a manner that during displacement in the longitudinal or transverse direction, the vehicle seat is automatically also displaced in the transverse or longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jürgen Maier, Jens Winter, Thomas Dill, Heinrich Hammann, Viktor Enns, Ulf Schäffling
  • Patent number: 7988231
    Abstract: A vehicle has an area capable of seating ambulatory passengers and alternatively receiving a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair. The area provides tracks for mounting at least two movable seats that can be moved to provide space in the area for the mobility aid. The tracks are provided with track covers that reduce maintenance requirements by preventing entry of debris. One of the seats is configured to move further than the other whereby the spacing between the seats after moving to accommodate a mobility aid is less than the spacing of the seats when used by ambulatory passengers. The seat configured to move further has a longer track cover, but the tracks are laterally spaced to avoid engagement between the track covers of the two seats whereby they can be moved to be spaced from each other by a distance less than the length of either of the track covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: American Seating Company
    Inventor: Randy P. Phinney
  • Patent number: 7987032
    Abstract: A driver feeling adjusting apparatus includes a seat that is fixed to a vehicle and on which a driver is seated, a movable portion that is provided in the seat and that can be displaced in a vehicle lateral direction or a yaw direction, and a control unit that displaces the movable portion in an opposite direction to a direction of centripetal acceleration or a yaw rate in turning, and enables the driver to feel easy steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenya Uenuma, Keijiro Iwao, Tatsuo Sakai
  • Patent number: 7976093
    Abstract: A pivotal vehicle-based seat for use in a passenger compartment is disclosed. The rear seat assembly is supported by a seat support that is attached to the rear bulkhead at a first end and to the bottom of the seat base at the second end. The seat support enables the seat base to pivot from a use position to a to a compact storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeff McBride
  • Patent number: 7971920
    Abstract: A walk-in memory apparatus for an automobile seat locks the seat on a body only after the seat moves past a preset reference point when the seat, moved forwards with a seat back folded up by a seat walk-in apparatus, moves backwards with the seat back unfolded. The walk-in memory apparatus causes the entire seat to move forwards along tracks in an unlocked state when the seat back is folded up. The seat includes a track memory unit which, when the seat moves backwards with the seat back unfolded, causes the seat to be unlocked from the track when the stopper bracket is located ahead of a reference stopper and to be locked on the track when the stopper bracket is located behind the reference stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Daewon Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yong Jang, Jong Moon Yoo, Byung Jae Lee, Sang Man Seo, Eun Sue Kim
  • Patent number: 7963496
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat sliding apparatus wherein rotating an operating lever causes a lock lever to allow a sliding movement of an upper rail along a lower rail, the operating lever is held within a bracket connected to the upper rail via torsion spring. The torsion spring is made from a single piece of wire and formed into a specific shape for easy provision of the operating lever to the bracket during an assembly of the seat sliding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Ryousuke Mizuno, Mikihito Nagura
  • Publication number: 20110109114
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a lower seat cushion and a seatback. The vehicle seat includes a pivot point that is configured for rotating generally horizontally from an inboard position to an outboard position. An extended seat track may extend within an interior of the vehicle between a front row and a rear row. The vehicle seat is movably attached to the extended seat track and is configured to move along the extended seat track between the front row and the rear row. The vehicle seat may also be configured to provide individualized comfort to the user. The lower seat cushion and the seatback each include a surface. A controller is configured to actuate the lower seat and the seatback to selectively change a contour of the respective surface to match contours of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Kolpasky, Wayne Manista, Mark Louis Kaski
  • Patent number: 7926862
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a front seat, provided to the rear, in the forward/back direction of the vehicle, of a front panel, and having a seat cushion portion, a backrest portion that is provided integrally with the seat cushion portion, and a headrest portion that is provided integrally with the backrest portion, wherein at least the backrest portion and the headrest portion are fabricated independently for the left and the right, and wherein the left and right headrest portions are fabricated so that the widths thereof, in the direction of width of the vehicle, are narrower than the widths of, in the direction of width of the vehicle, of the left and right backrest portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Craig Smith, Takashi Yamamura, Satoshi Kubota
  • Publication number: 20110042994
    Abstract: A slide member is slidable along a slide rail provided at a vehicle-body side portion. When lock pawls provided at the slide member are engaged with the slide rail, the slide member is locked. The slide member is unlocked by operating an operation cable connected to the lock pawls. The operation cable is fitted to a fitting portion of an attachment bracket connected to the slide rail. A portion from a fixed portion fixed to the fitting portion to a movable portion (one end portion) extends through a region where a non-contact portion is disposed, and does not contact the non-contact portion. The movable portion is connected to the slide member and moved integrally with the slide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takao SAITO, Toshinao WADA, Masaki SUGIMOTO
  • Patent number: 7891720
    Abstract: A double folding seat for a vehicle may include a stationary bracket, coupled to the seatback frame and to the cushion frame, wherein the recliner bracket is coupled to the one end of the stationary bracket, a link unit elastically installed on the stationary bracket and configured to be selectively coupled to the recliner bracket and transmit a rotating force of the recliner bracket to a latch cam installed to the cushion frame, a stopper fixedly installed on the leg assembly which is connected to a vehicle body, a hinge member rotatably mounted on the cushion frame and rotated by the stopper, and an actuating wire connecting the hinge member and the link unit and displacing the link unit by a rotation force of the hinge member to a position where the link unit cooperates with the recliner bracket when the cushion frame moves backwards to the final position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Chan Ho Jeong, Young Dong Kim, Sung Hak Hong
  • Patent number: 7878570
    Abstract: A passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat which can be assembled to prevent the occurrence of the initial deformation and the initial load. The passenger weight measurement device 1 comprising a pair of left and right fixed lower rails 3 fixed on the floor of a vehicle, a pair of movable upper rails 4 disposed to be movable in a front-and-rear direction on each of the fixed lower rails 3, load sensors 50 and 60 fixed on an upper surface of the left movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 mounted on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, and a rectangular frame 110 mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 7870927
    Abstract: To realizes an easy maintenance of the load sensor. A passenger's weight measurement device 1 comprises a left and right pair of fixed lower rails 3 which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails 4 which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail 3, load sensors 50 and 60 which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 which are disposed on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, a sub frame 110 which is mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80, side frames 141 and 142 which are welded to the sub frame 110, and a pan frame 143 which is detachably disposed to the side frames 141 and 142 to cover the front of the side frames 141 and 142. A gouged section 151 is formed on the side frame 141.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Publication number: 20100320795
    Abstract: A mounting system for a seat of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The mounting system includes a sliding rail, a mounting foot member and a covering member. The covering member includes a covering portion and an attachment portion. The covering portion may cover the mounting foot member. In some cases, the covering portion may cover the mounting foot member mounted in a recessed groove in a floor of a motor vehicle. The attachment portion may engage the sliding rail of the mounting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Cao, Dai Higashida
  • Patent number: 7854461
    Abstract: A slide/flip-up type automobile-seat is disclosed. The seat is provided with lock-release restricting mechanisms provided at lower rail members of a slide rail mechanism for keeping slide lock levers in unlockable states with respect to the lower rail members during flipping-up movement of an entire seat or in a state where the entire seat has been flipped up, and for keeping striker locks in states of being unallowable to be unlocked when the lock levers are in states of incompletely locked with respect to the lower rail members. Each of the lock-release mechanisms includes a restricting arm which includes an arm body, a rising-up piece rising up from one end portion of the arm body and having a height reaching a position under a rear end portion of corresponding one of the lock levers, and a retaining piece which is provided at a side edge of the arm body and to which a corresponding one of extension rods extending from the striker locks is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7850220
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor having a recess includes a seat cushion and seat back pivotally coupled thereto. A riser mechanism includes at least one front and rear leg, each leg extending between a lower end pivotally coupled to the floor and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion. A seat adjustment mechanism disposed between the seat cushion and upper end of the rear leg is operable between locked and unlocked states allowing the legs to pivot about the lower ends thereby moving the seat assembly between a seating position and a stowed position disposed in the recess. An arcuate channel is operatively coupled to the rear leg selectively receiving a laterally extending guide pin mounted to the front leg for operatively coupling the front and rear legs to rotate together as the seat assembly moves between the seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7823951
    Abstract: A passenger's weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, capable of suppressing generation of an initial load. The passenger's weight measurement device includes a pair of slide rails extending in parallel and fixed to the vehicle floor, and a pair of side frames that support the seat and are disposed above the pair of slide rails. Load cells are disposed between the pair of the slide rails and the pair of the side frames. A set of first connection frames for connecting both ends the pair of side frames extend in parallel so as to be perpendicular to the pair of side frames. Second and third connecting frames connect middle parts of the pair of slide rails so as to be perpendicular to the slide rails. The pair of the slide rails and the second and a third connecting frames constitute an H-shaped frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato, Harutomi Nishide, Tatsuya Yamazaki, Naotaka Kumakiri, Mikihito Kojima, Masashi Yoshifuku, Takashi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7823950
    Abstract: There is provided a seat device for a vehicle comprising a pair of main seats disposed in the vehicle width direction including respectively a main seat cushion and main seat back, and a sub seat back disposed between the main seat backs, wherein the sub seat back is configured so as to be in an arranged position in which the sub seat back is located above the main seat cushion and before the main seat back, and the main seat backs are configured so as to be moved inward when the sub seat back is in the arranged position. Accordingly, the width of the seat can be adjusted variably, without improperly affecting spaces behind or before the seat, thereby attaining both the movement of seat and the improvement of space utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Toyota, Akira Ito, Kazue Sumida
  • Publication number: 20100270822
    Abstract: In a mounting structure of a vehicle seat, a side member and a bracket that support a vehicle seat form an enclosed section. Because the rigidity of the side member and the bracket may be secured, the mounting rigidity of the vehicle seat may be secured and the weight of the side member and the bracket thereby reduced. A pair of sidewalls formed in the side member face each other in the vehicle lateral direction, and a pair of connecting walls formed in the bracket are connected to the pair of sidewalls while facing the pair of sidewalls. If a forward and upward load is applied to the vehicle seat due to a sudden reduction in vehicle speed, a shearing force acts on the sidewall and the connection wall in relation to each other. Thus, sufficient durability of the connecting part may be ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Fujitsuka
  • Patent number: 7798462
    Abstract: A sliding-type automobile seat comprising a seat cushion frame, a slide rail mechanism for allowing the seat to be slidingly moved, slide lock mechanisms for causing the seat to be releasably locked at predetermined positions, a substantially U-shaped operating lever for causing the seat to be released from a locked state, and connection mechanisms for causing both end portions of the substantially U-shaped operating lever to the slide lock mechanisms, the slide rail mechanism comprising a pair of parallel lower rails mounted on a floor surface of an automobile, and a pair of parallel upper rails attached to a lower portion of the seat cushion frame and slidably engaged with the pair of parallel lower rails, each of the slide lock mechanisms comprising a lock member swingably mounted to a corresponding upper rail and urged upward at one end portion thereof by a spring, the lock member including a first engaging member, and a second engaging member provided at a corresponding lower rail, the first engaging mem
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Yoshida, Kazuyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 7794018
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat cushion may include a pair of slide devices disposed on a vehicle floor, a pair of lock devices respectively provided to the slide devices, and an operation mechanism of the lock devices. The slide devices are arranged and constructed to slide the vehicle seat on the vehicle floor. The lock devices are capable of releasably locking the vehicle seat at a desired position on the vehicle floor. The operation mechanism includes a synchronization member having an operation member. The synchronization member is disposed above the slide devices and is linked to the lock devices via a linking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Fukuda, Masahiro Fujieda, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7789368
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle capable of preventing generation of noise includes lower rails, upper rails, lock mechanisms, release levers, and stoppers. Each lock mechanism includes a plurality of lock holes provided on the lower rail and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail and a lock lever provided on the upper rail to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail for engagement with and disengagement from the lock holes. Further, each release lever pivots the lock lever to release the engagement of the lock holes with the lock lever, and each stopper restricts the position at which the release lever remains separated from the lock lever. At least contact portions of the release lever with the lock lever and the stopper are provided with a coating layer made of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7780225
    Abstract: A seating apparatus is described for arrangement in a driver's cabin of a construction vehicle, especially a soil compacting machine, comprising a treading surface and an operating desk. The seating apparatus comprises a driver's seat and an adjusting device, and the adjusting device comprises two guide rails and a seat carrier. The seat carrier is held on the guide rails and is adjustable transversally to the traveling direction of the construction vehicle. The guide rails are arranged next to the treading surface used by the driver in such a way that the seat carrier can be displaced relative to the treading surface in a freely floating manner over the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Klein, Thomas Haubrich
  • Publication number: 20100207419
    Abstract: A stopper includes an attachment portion and a pair of flanges. The attachment portion contacts an outer surface of a bottom wall portion of a lower rail and is attached to the bottom wall portion. The flanges extend from the attachment portion to be passed through insertion holes in the bottom wall portion. The flanges are located in an inner space of the lower rail. The flanges are engaged with second cut-and-raised pieces formed in an upper rail, thereby limiting the range of movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Yoshihisa Hori
  • Patent number: 7770863
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor and an upper rail slidably supported relative to the lower rail and having a U-shaped cross section opened downward. The seat apparatus includes a supporting member integrally formed with a bottom wall portion and fixed, at both longitudinal ends thereof, to an upper portion of the upper rail and a side wall portion extending upward from at least one width directional end of the bottom wall portion. The supporting member supports a vehicle seat. The supporting member includes a curved portion integrally formed at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall portion of the supporting member and curved upward to be distant from the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7735798
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism including multiple lock portions provided on the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a spindle provided on the upper rail and having a rotation axis that extends in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail, and a lock member rotating about the rotation axis and engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions. The spindle is supported by a recess portion formed in a surface of the upper rail in an inwardly extending manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7726730
    Abstract: A passenger seat for use in a motor vehicle includes a first and a second substantially planar region. The seat is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first region is horizontal and acts as the seat, and the second region is vertical and acts as the seat back, such that the passenger is facing forward. In the second position, the first region is vertical and acts as the seat back, and the second region is horizontal and acts as the seat, such that the passenger is facing backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH
    Inventors: Classen Peter, Hofer Carsten
  • Patent number: 7717490
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail movable relative to the lower rail and a lock member for restricting the relative movement of the upper and lower rails. The restriction of the relative movement can be released and the lock-released position can be retained. The seat slide device further includes a memory piece detachably engaged with the lower rail and provided in a direction separating from the lower rail and engaging therewith when a seatback is reclined forward, wherein the memory piece is moved in association with the movement of the upper rail by retaining the memory piece at the receiving portion and the shaped portion when the memory piece is separated from the lower rail and wherein the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail at the engaging portion when the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura