Hinged Backrest Patents (Class 296/65.16)
  • Patent number: 11390191
    Abstract: This vehicle seat control device is provided with a storage unit, a position detection unit, a control unit, and an operation order setting unit. The space on a seat occupied by a passenger sitting in the seat is a sitting passenger-occupied space, and during the execution of an automatic operation, the operation order setting unit is configured to set the operation order such that position adjustments of seat elements operated in the direction of advancing into the sitting passenger-occupied space are started at the same time as, or are started after, the starting of the position adjustments of the seat elements operated in the direction moving away from the sitting passenger-occupied space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: AISIN CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuko Tarui, Soichiro Hozumi, Shunsuke Tanaka, Shinichiro Komaki
  • Patent number: 11351891
    Abstract: System including a vehicle seat comprising a seating portion, a backrest pivotally mounted on the seat by a lockable hinge mechanism, the seat further comprising a motorized adjustment device connected to the backrest independently of the hinge mechanism. An electric control device synchronously controls the hinge mechanism and the motorized adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Farouk Bouzid, Philippe Resende
  • Patent number: 11130429
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat main body that includes a seat cushion and a seatback that is connected to a seat rear side end portion of the seat cushion and that is rotatable in a seat front-rear direction with respect to the seat cushion; and a lifter device that moves the seat main body in a seat up-down direction, wherein the seat main body is moved toward a seat upper side by the lifter device in a case in which a reclining angle of the seatback is greater than a predetermined angle and the seat main body is lower than a predetermined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Ohno, Makoto Sekizuka, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10926674
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving ride quality of an active payload support system. In one example, a seat system for a vehicle includes a seat, a support structure including an actuator configured to rotate the seat about an axis of a pivot, a first sensor positioned to detect movement of the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive a first input from the first sensor, determine a cornering lateral acceleration of the vehicle in a direction perpendicular to an axis parallel to a direction of travel of the vehicle around a turn, the cornering lateral acceleration determined based at least on the first input, generate a command signal based at least on the cornering lateral acceleration to instruct an actuator to rotate the seat about the axis of the pivot in a direction of the turn, and provide a force command to the actuator to move the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: ClearMotion Acquisition I LLC
    Inventors: Travis Lee Hein, Lawrence D. Knox
  • Patent number: 10862413
    Abstract: An electrical assembly includes a motor, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch. The first switch may be connected to a first contact of the motor, and/or the second switch may be connected to a second contact of the motor. The third switch may be connected to the first switch, and/or the fourth switch may be connected to the second switch. The first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and/or the fourth switch may be configured to switch the electrical assembly between a first state, a second state, and/or a third state. If the electrical assembly is in the first state, at least one of the first contact and/or the second contact of the motor may be connected to an open circuit, and/or the motor may be configured to rotate freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Honsowetz, Ronald Wilson
  • Patent number: 10525860
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a seat cushion and a seat back pivotably attached to the seat cushion. A latch arrangement has a locked position for inhibiting pivoting of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and an open position for facilitating pivoting of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. A rotatable actuator defines a first radius and a second radius. A first flexible member is attached to the rotatable actuator at the first radius such that tensioning the first flexible member rotates the rotatable actuator in a first direction. A second flexible member is attached to the latch arrangement and the rotatable actuator at the second radius such that rotation of the rotatable actuator in the first direction tensions the second flexible member and moves the latch arrangement from the locked position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Matzka, Josef Widhopf, Uwe Hoyer, Markus Manternach
  • Patent number: 10518683
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an air bag, and a controller. The air bag is for holding a posture of an occupant and configured to inflate as air flows in or deflate as air flows out of the air bag. The controller is configured to receive an input of a signal based on a steering angle of the vehicle and to control inflation or deflation of the air bag based on the signal. The controller is configured to enable an active-support mode to cause air to flow inside the air bag in response to the steering angle becoming greater than or equal to a predefined given angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruhiko Kojima, Hirotaka Torikai, Takuya Fujimura, Kenji Iida
  • Patent number: 10179521
    Abstract: A system for controlling a front seat of an automobile in connection with a headrest may include a sensor inputter, electric seat inputter, and a seat controller, in which the seat controller may automatically lower a height of the headrest when the front seat of the automobile slides forward in an interior of the automobile, and the seat controller may automatically raise the height of the headrest when the front seat slides rearward in the interior of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mi-Sun Kwon, Sang-Hark Lee, Ji-Hwan Kim, Yong-Suk Park, Han-Uk Keum
  • Patent number: 10144375
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 10106055
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle control system which is capable of setting sleep positions appropriate for a user in different vehicles. In the vehicle control system, a portable terminal receives inputs of sleep positions each of which is a seat position appropriate for the user to sleep in a corresponding vehicle, a storage stores the sleep positions associated with respective vehicles, and a sleep position transmission portion reads out, from the storage, the sleep position corresponding to the vehicle boarded by the user in response to a manipulation made by the user and transmits the readout sleep position to the corresponding vehicular device. Each vehicular device, in response to a reception of the sleep position from the portable terminal, sets the seat position to be appropriate for the user to sleep in accordance with the received sleep position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji Kusunose
  • Patent number: 10081246
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 10071659
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat (1), comprising a seat element (2), which can be height-adjusted from a usage position to a stowing position, and comprising a backrest element (3), wherein the backrest element (3) can be pivoted about a stationary primary axis (A), wherein the backrest element (3) is operatively connected to the seat element (2) by means of an articulated system in such a way that the seat element (2) can be transferred from the usage position to the stowing position by means of a pivoting motion of the backrest element (3), wherein the articulated system has a deflecting element (7), wherein the deflecting element (7) can be pivoted about a stationary secondary axis (B), wherein a secondary plane (B?), which extends perpendicularly to the direction of travel (D) and comprises the secondary axis (B), is arranged in front of a primary plane (A?), which extends perpendicularly to the direction of travel (D) and comprises the primary axis (A), in a direction extending parallel to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Roman Ecker, Dirk Dubois, Jürgen Naßhan
  • Patent number: 10061960
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 9944241
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 9937797
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 9889919
    Abstract: Systems and methods for securing an emergency exit door on an armrest of a seat are provided. A system includes a latch connected to an armrest of a seat of a vehicle. The latch is moveable relative to the armrest between a stowed position and a deployed position. The latch is structured and arranged to engage an edge of a door that is associated with an exit of the vehicle to hold the door on the armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rhonda L. Childress, Kim A. Eckert, Jente B. Kuang, David B. Kumhyr, Ryan D. McNair
  • Patent number: 9830492
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 9701202
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 9688145
    Abstract: A terminal includes: a storage unit configured to store a plurality of pieces of software, each having a function restriction level and in which a plurality of functions are selectively restricted, and store a plurality of applications; a communication unit configured to receive driving information of a vehicle and external environment information; a control unit configured to identify a function restriction level corresponding to a driving condition of the vehicle based on the received driving information and external environment information, determine software corresponding to the identified function restriction level, and restrict and control a function of at least one application of the plurality of stored applications using the determined software; and an output unit configured to output execution information of the at least one application whose function is restricted and controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ki Dong Kang
  • Patent number: 9659207
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER HONG KONG LTD.
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 9639620
    Abstract: Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER HONG KONG LTD.
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 8939511
    Abstract: A first and a second surface of a latch for a seat permit sliding passage of the latch relative to a front leg of a striker, upon contact of the front leg with either of the first and second surfaces. A third surface in a containing space of the latch stops the latch by contacting the front leg. The third surface is arranged such that a rear leg of the striker is brought in alignment with a lock groove of the latch upon contact of the front leg with the third surface. The latch can be guided along the second surface when the second surface contacts the front leg, so that the second surface slides on and past the front leg. By continuously unfolding the seat back upwards until the third surface contacts the front leg, the seat back can be set to a design reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidousha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation, Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sanji Majima, Ken Kuroiwa, Akira Ogiso, Kiyohiko Kamata, Hiroyuki Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8936301
    Abstract: A vehicle load floor assembly includes a vehicle seat that has a seatback that pivots between upright and stowed positions. A cargo floor extends rearward from the seat. A first panel pivotally couples with a rear portion of the seatback and pivots to a raised position away from the seatback in the stowed position. A second panel couples with the first panel and is deployable rearward to engage the cargo floor with the first panel in the raised position to define a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhavani Thota, Michael James Whitens, Babak Shahmehri
  • Patent number: 8894124
    Abstract: A load floor assembly for a vehicle includes a seatback that pivots between an upright position and a stowed position. A cargo floor extends rearward of the seatback, and a load panel is coupled with the cargo floor. The load panel moves between a rearward position and a forward position. In the forward position, the load panel extends over at least a lower portion of the seatback in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhavani Thota, Michael James Whitens, Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde
  • Publication number: 20140327266
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly adjacent a vehicle body panel includes a vehicle seat that has a seat bottom and a seat back pivotable with respect to the seat bottom. The vehicle seat assembly includes a striker assembly with a fixed striker fixed to the vehicle body panel, and a pivotable striker pivotably supported on the fixed striker. The pivotable striker is pivotable between a first position in which the pivotable striker extends further than the fixed striker toward the seat back, and a second position in which the fixed striker extends further than the pivotable striker toward the seat back. A latching mechanism fixed to the seat back latches to the pivotable striker when the pivotable striker is in the first position, and latches to the fixed striker when the pivotable striker is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Shrikant A. Gholap, Anand V. Iyer
  • Publication number: 20140265418
    Abstract: A vehicle load floor assembly includes a vehicle seat that has a seatback that pivots between upright and stowed positions. A cargo floor extends rearward from the seat. A first panel pivotally couples with a rear portion of the seatback and pivots to a raised position away from the seatback in the stowed position. A second panel couples with the first panel and is deployable rearward to engage the cargo floor with the first panel in the raised position to define a support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bhavani Thota, Michael James Whitens, Babak Shahmehri
  • Publication number: 20140265417
    Abstract: A vehicle load floor includes a seatback pivotal to a stowed position. A cargo floor is rearward the seatback. A foldable panel assembly is movable between stored and deployed positions. The foldable panel assembly includes a first panel pivotally coupled with the seatback and a second panel coupled with the first panel. A hinge coupled between bottom surfaces of the first and second panels. The deployed position includes the seatback in the stowed position and top surfaces of the first and second panels defining a planar support surface spanning to the cargo floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bhavani Thota, Michael James Whitens, Juan Pablo Jimenez, Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde, Aravinda Naraharisetti
  • Patent number: 8833833
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reclining apparatus for a rear seat of a vehicle, having a back frame having a upper end and a lower end; a cushion frame having a front side and a back side, wherein the back side of the cushion frame is pivotally connected to the lower end of the back frame; a back frame locking module disposed on the upper end of the back frame, the back frame locking module removably engageable to a body panel and acting as a pivot center when engaged with the body panel; and a guide module configured to guide the cushion frame pivotally connected to the back frame so that the lower portion of the back frame pivots about the upper portion when the cushion frame slides up forward or down rearward to allow the back frame to move between an upright position and a reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Dymos Incorporated, Dae Chang Seat Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan Ho Jeong, Jun Yeol Heo, Gil Ju Kim, Chang Ju Gi, Seon Chae Na, Sang Uk Yu, Eom Seok Yoo, Young Sun Lee, In Chang Hwang, Myung Soo Lee
  • Publication number: 20140217767
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat that comprises a seat bottom, a seat back, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The seat back is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The first biasing member is coupled to each of the seat back and the bed frame. The second biasing member is coupled to each of the seat back and the bed frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicants: TS Tech Americas, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey Heit, Hiroshi Okazaki, Darin D. King, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Takayuki Inoue, Jacob Zachary Sorrell
  • Patent number: 8770645
    Abstract: A backrest arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle for transporting wheelchair users, and a motor vehicle including the backrest arrangement. The backrest arrangement includes a fixing device that attaches the backrest arrangement to the roof of the motor vehicle. A backrest is mounted to the fixing device and is configured to support a wheelchair user. The backrest is rotatably mounted to the fixing device by a telescoping bar. The backrest may thereby be moved between a stowage position and a substantially extended operative position by rotating the backrest down from the stowage position and extending the telescoping bar. While in the stowage position, the backrest may be disposed completely in the roof region of the motor vehicle so that the backrest arrangement does not take up space in the passenger region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: AMF-Bruns GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerit Bruns
  • Patent number: 8752879
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a side wall, a door, a seat, and a stopper member. The side wall is coupled with the frame. The door is pivotally coupled with the side wall and is pivotable between a closed position and an opened position. The seat includes a seat back that is pivotable about a pivot axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. The stopper member is coupled with the door and extends outwardly from the door. The stopper member is configured to overlie at least a portion of the seat back when the seat back is in the stowed position with the door in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey Heit, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Yoshiyuki Sato, Eric B. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8746773
    Abstract: A seat latch assembly for providing manual triggering and subsequent powered rewinding of a seatback. A stanchion support is secured to a floor location of a vehicle frame. A seatback sector is pivotally supported at a lower end to an upper location of the stanchion. The sector engages along a side location of a frame forming a portion of the seatback in a first upper design position. A lever and trigger initiates forward rotating dump of the seatback. A plurality of four linkage members are also located upon the stanchion and, in combination with a motor, provide upright rewinding of the seatback and subsequent resetting of the linkage mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Patent number: 8746772
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle including a vehicle body having a floor and a laterally extending dividing wall for separating a passenger compartment from a rear storage compartment. A rear seat includes a seat base defining a seat surface and a seat back. The seat back is adjustable relative to the seat base between an upright, seated position and a folded position where the seat back is positioned on the seat base. A lever arrangement pivotally connects the seat back to one of the body and the dividing wall. The lever arrangement is configured to enable the seat back to be folded down and to move the seat back in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the seat base toward the dividing wall so that at least a portion of the seat back protrudes rearwardly past the dividing wall and into the rear storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Shane Lindsay
  • Patent number: 8708413
    Abstract: A locking device (1) for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, has a housing (5), a catch (11) mounted in a movable manner on the housing (5) for locking with a mating element (B). At least one safety element (25, 31) is provided for securing the catch (11) in the locked state and can be moved relative to the catch (11) for unlocking the locking device (1). A query device (40) queries the locking state of the locking device (1) and has at least one transducer (41, 42) and at least one sensor (43). The query device (40) is designed in a contactless manner. The transducer (41, 42) and the sensor (43) interact with each other due to the relative positioning and/or movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Heeg, Andreas Diehl, Markus Dein
  • Patent number: 8702172
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, such as a rear bench seat, includes a seat part, a backrest part and a fitting part. The backrest part and the fitting part are pivotable relative to the vehicle body about a first rotational axis. The first rotational axis is disposed below the seat part or behind the backrest part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Hans Schmodde, Stefan Josten, Stuart Woolston, Peter Lekat
  • Patent number: 8662561
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion and seat back supported above a floor by a rear leg. The seat back is pivotally coupled to a recliner bracket. The seat cushion is selectively pivotally locked relative to the recliner bracket. A disc recliner operatively couples the recliner bracket and rear leg. The disc recliner allows the rear leg to pivot relative to the recliner bracket to move the seat assembly from a design seating position to a slouch position. The seat back is pivoted towards the seat cushion and the recliner allows the rear leg to pivot relative to the recliner bracket, thereby lowering the seat assembly to move the seat assembly to a fold and kneel position. The seat cushion is unlocked relative to the recliner bracket to pivot the seat cushion towards the seat back to move the seat assembly to a stadium position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Runde, Peter Paul Zeimis, III
  • Patent number: 8608245
    Abstract: A seat latch for use in retaining a seat back or other element in a locked position. The seat latch may include a lifting element configured to lift a locking fork into locking engagement with a retaining hook. The lifting element may be a spring that experiences increased tension when the seat back is folded into an upright position. The increased tension can cause the spring to lock the seat back relative to the retaining hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Stanislaw Andrzej Wieclawski
  • Publication number: 20130328340
    Abstract: A backrest arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle for transporting wheelchair users, and a motor vehicle including the backrest arrangement. The backrest arrangement includes a fixing device that attaches the backrest arrangement to the roof of the motor vehicle. A backrest is mounted to the fixing device and is configured to support a wheelchair user. The backrest is rotatably mounted to the fixing device by a telescoping bar. The backrest may thereby be moved between a stowage position and a substantially extended operative position by rotating the backrest down from the stowage position and extending the telescoping bar. While in the stowage position, the backrest may be disposed completely in the roof region of the motor vehicle so that the backrest arrangement does not take up space in the passenger region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Gustav Bruns Maschinenbau und Förderanlagen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerit Bruns
  • Publication number: 20130313850
    Abstract: An automotive seat-back assembly is provided, having a seat-back panel, a plurality of floor-mount brackets for attaching the seat-back panel to an automotive floor, and an anchorage bar operably located on the seat-back panel. Provided on the anchorage bar is at least one anchorage fixture for engaging with a mating anchorage device provided on an object to be secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: SALFLEX POLYMERS LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Hawkins, Steven Schenten
  • Publication number: 20130292960
    Abstract: An anti-theft device fitted to the seat of the vehicle is provided for a motor vehicle. The seat containing a cushion, a frame and a back, including a mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination of the seat back and comprising a fixed part and movable part. The fixed part and movable part located in the seat back and interact with each another with an additional horizontal axis and a lever. The movable part is adapted to forward rotation on the additional axis simultaneously with a gear-wheel, which holds the lever that locks the tilt-adjustment seat by the opposite end and driven by a pinion. The additional axle has the ability to horizontal displacement in the holding of its joints, forming an actuator of the locking device. The invention can be used to improve the seats ergonomics and for the bulk of transformations in the car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Volodymyr Shyshkin, Kateryna Shahnewaz
  • Patent number: 8573699
    Abstract: A rear seat of a vehicle which allows controlled reclining of the seat as well as folding the seatback to a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Ornela Zekavica
  • Patent number: 8523262
    Abstract: A vehicle seat rear floor latch and positioner assembly (22) for a vehicle seat (10) movable between a seating position, a generally horizontal nonuse position, and a generally vertical storage position as well as being removable from the vehicle to increase cargo capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Porter Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Haeske, Michael A. Blake, Brent C. Everett
  • Patent number: 8505999
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure, a cargo surface, and a vehicular seat assembly. The body structure defines a floor. The vehicular seat assembly includes a left leg member, a right leg member, a support member, a seat back, and a cover panel. The support member is attached to the left and right leg members. The seat back is pivotally coupled with the left and right leg members. The seat back is pivotable between an upright position and a cargo support position. The cover panel is coupled with the support member and is movable between a stowed position and a bridging position. When the seat back is in the cargo support position with the cover panel in the bridging position, the support member provides underlying support for the cover panel, and the cargo surface, the cover panel, and the seat back cooperate to provide a generally planar load support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kelly Michael Whalen, Grey Burchfield Parker, Todd Alan Morris, Eric Dustin Daume, Brooks G. Marquette, Matthew W. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8439419
    Abstract: A flipper panel assembly for covering a gap between a seat assembly and a cargo load floor. The seat assembly is movable forward and rearward and includes a pivotal seat back. The flipper panel assembly includes a main panel slidably disposed on the cargo load floor and fixedly secured to the seat assembly. A flipper panel is pivotally coupled to the main panel. The flipper panel assembly translates along the cargo load floor in response to moving the seat assembly forward and rearward. The flipper panel pivots in response to pivotal movement of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Zuelch
  • Patent number: 8439446
    Abstract: A vehicle seat reclining device comprises a latch mechanism having latch holes defined in a rail along a central axial line, a slider hole penetrating through a slider so as to be alignable with the latch holes, a support portion slidably supported on the slider, and a lever coupled to the support portion so as to be pivotable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the central axial line. A latch claw is extends from the lever and is engageable with the respective latch holes via the slider hole. A first amount of play is provided between the support portion and the lever in a direction parallel to the central axial line. A second amount of play, which is less than the first amount play, is provided between the slider hole and the latch claw in the direction parallel to the central axial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ansei Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Ishii, Satoshi Umezu
  • Patent number: 8408648
    Abstract: A fold and tumble mechanism may be used with a vehicle seat having a seat bottom, a seat back that is pivotable with respect to the seat bottom, and a latch associated the seat bottom for coupling the seat to a vehicle body. The fold and tumble mechanism may include a recliner mechanism adapted to pivotally mount the seat back to the seat bottom, a recliner release lever, and a fold and tumble release lever. The recliner release lever is associated with the recliner mechanism and is movable to selectively release the recliner mechanism to allow the seat back to pivot. The fold and tumble release lever includes a cam that is engageable with the recliner release lever. Furthermore, the fold and tumble release lever is operable to move the recliner release lever to release the recliner mechanism, and is further operable to unlatch the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: William D. Champ
  • Patent number: 8408630
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Saito, Toshinao Wada, Masaki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8393667
    Abstract: An occupant protection device includes: a seat cushion; a seat back; a base portion provided in a vehicle body; a support portion that is provided in the seat back and that overlaps a backrest of the seat back as viewed from front of a vehicle; a reclining angle adjustment portion that changes a reclining angle of the seat back by moving the support portion with respect to the base portion; and a contact portion that is provided in the vehicle body. If the support portion is displaced rearward in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle due to a rearward load that exceeds a prescribed magnitude being applied to the seat back, the contact portion comes into contact with the support portion on both the right and left sides of the seat back with respect to a center portion of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Syuzo Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8393682
    Abstract: A seat back locking device for an automobile for a seat back 5 configured so as to be capable of being changed from an upright position to a folded-down position and vice versa, including a locking mechanism 10 for locking the seat back 5 in the upright position, a locking knob 20 for unlocking the locking mechanism 10, and a key cylinder 30 capable of locking and unlocking the locking knob 20. In the locking device, a contact part 33 that comes into contact with a contacted part 26 provided on the locking knob 20 is connectingly provided integrally with a cylinder body 31 of the key cylinder 30 so that the key cylinder 30 can be changed over between a locked state in which the contact part 33 comes into contact with the contacted part 26 to inhibit the rotation of the locking knob 20 and an unlocked state in which the contact part 33 does not come into contact with the contacted part 26 to allow the rotation of the locking knob 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Suzuki Motor Corporation, NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Hosoda, Takashi Ono, Takefumi Mitsugi
  • Patent number: 8376435
    Abstract: A seating and console system for use in a seating row and configurable between a seating configuration and a console configuration. The system comprises a seat including a seat base and a seat back, and a console mounted to an opposite side of the seat back. The seat back rotates between a first position to provide the seating configuration and a second position to provide the console configuration that divides the seating row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brian R. Dexter, Jeffrey T. Stout, Gregory N. Brncick, Alan G. Greene, Steven D. Lepley, Joseph M. Thompson, Robert C. Fitzpatrick, Michael J. Burns, David J. Spykerman, Michael R. Catlin