In Floor Patents (Class 297/15)
  • Publication number: 20110198884
    Abstract: Multiple Usages Bus is a transportation mean, by which Enterprises can reduce cost of transportation of its employees, goods, tools and equipment. Multiple Usages Bus uses mechanical means of cascading seats that been drawn into luggage zone by folding plates supported at floor of passengers zone, mechanical means to lower and fold cascading seats into luggage zone. Elevated doors permit easy entrance of goods, tools and equipment into passengers' zone, maintaining the ability of transporting passengers, goods, equipment and tools separately or as whole. Eventually, usage of such a bus leads to increase the cost of purchasing of transportation means, cost of transportation of goods, cost of hiring drivers and traffic jam occurrence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Mohamed Ahmed Gad Elkariem
  • 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: 7967375
    Abstract: A headrest apparatus may include a headrest fixing member connected to a headrest assembly, a guide member connected to a seatback frame inside the seat back, wherein the guide member including a guide portion and a locking portion guides forward and backward movement of the headrest fixing member, at least an elastic member coupling the guide member and the headrest fixing member and configured to bias the headrest fixing member in the forward direction of the seat back so that the headrest fixing member moves in the forward direction and then is locked to the locking portion of the guide member by the elastic member when the seat back is unfolded, and a locking release unit pivotally coupled to the guide member and configured to release the headrest fixing member from the locking portion of the guide member in accordance with the seat back when the seat back is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Uk Yu, Chan Ho Jeong, Jung Sang You
  • 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: 7819468
    Abstract: This seat for a vehicle is provided a seat cushion which is rotatable toward a seat back in an upright condition around an axis provided on the seat back side, the seat for a vehicle comprising: a storage recessed portion which is provided in a bottom face of the seat cushion; and a lid which opens and closes the storage recessed portion, the lid being rotatably attached with a rear end portion of the storage recessed portion as a supporting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Tsuda, Kanae Tsukidate, Toshikazu Hirose
  • Patent number: 7784860
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a seat cushion and an output shaft rotatably coupled to the seat cushion. An actuator is fixedly coupled to the seat cushion and operatively coupled to the output shaft for rotatably driving the output shaft. A front leg is operably connected to the actuator for movement between a support position supporting the seat cushion and a retracted position folded underneath the seat cushion. A front latch is mounted on the front leg and is positioned to selectively engage a striker bar along a motor vehicle floor for maintaining the front leg in the support position. A link assembly extends between the output shaft and the front latch for selectively unlocking the front latch as the output shaft is rotatably driven by the actuator to drive the front leg between the retracted position and the support position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: David Michael Schacht, Lei Cao, Matthew J. McLaughlin, Catherine A. DeVoss, Thomas J. Domlovil, Jeffrey P. Carroll
  • Patent number: 7744152
    Abstract: A collapsing truss that completes a four-bar mechanism of a vehicle seat coupled to a vehicle floor. The vehicle seat includes a seat back coupled to a cushion structure via the collapsing truss which incorporates a pivot and a latch which engages on a pin. The collapsing truss includes a floor bracket coupled to the vehicle floor. A seat back bracket is coupled to the seat back and floor bracket. A cushion bracket is pivotally coupled to the cushion structure, the floor bracket, and the seat back bracket. The joints of the collapsing truss are defined by the seat back pivot, the cushion back/seat back bracket pivot, and the latch engagement pin. The seat back moves about the pivot when the collapsing truss operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Kurt A. Seibold
  • Patent number: 7735889
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle has a folding rear seat. The rear seat has a seating surface disposed between a pair of tire houses, a backrest disposed in a vehicle lateral direction at the rear of a front end portion of the seating surface, and a partition wall coupled with the backrest to define a front wall of the cargo deck. A lower end portion of the backrest supported to be rotatable forward with respect to the all-terrain vehicle about lower rotation axes arranged in the vehicle lateral direction. A partition wall is supported to be rotatable forward with respect to the all-terrain vehicle about upper rotation axes located above the lower rotation axes. The upper rotation axes are rotatably supported by the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamura, Kaoru Haruna
  • Patent number: 7717489
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a vehicular seat having a first member, a cooperatively moving apparatus configured to release a lock apparatus from being locked in cooperation with a movement of the first member, and a second member configured to be adjusted when the lock apparatus is released. Further, the cooperatively moving apparatus includes a main cooperatively moving member connected to the first member and capable of cooperative movement with the first member, and a sub cooperatively moving member connected to the lock apparatus and capable of being moved by receiving a force from the main cooperatively moving member. Also, a hold mechanism is provided between the main cooperatively moving member and the sub cooperatively moving member, the hold mechanism is capable of holding the lock apparatus in a lock release state by holding a portion of the sub cooperatively moving member by a predetermined amount while operating the main cooperatively moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsutaka Mitsuhashi
  • Patent number: 7699388
    Abstract: A seating installation, which is concealable under the floor. The seats are mounted in articulated manner, with the possibility of swiveling between a lowered, cleared-away position and a raised position of use, on pillars which are fixed to the base floor. A number of flaps are mounted in articulated manner on the same pillars forming a raised access floor under which the seats may be concealed in the lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Figueras International Seating S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Figueras Mitjans
  • Patent number: 7695058
    Abstract: A seat apparatus includes a seat cushion on which an operator is seated, a seatback for supporting the operator seated on the seat cushion, a seat drive device changing a position of the seat cushion and the seatback between a seating position and a storage position by operating the seat cushion and the seatback, and a control unit for controlling the seat drive device, the control unit controlling the seat drive device in a way that an operation starting time of the seat cushion does not coincide with an operation starting time of the seatback and an operating time of the seat cushion overlaps temporally an operating time of the seatback when the seat cushion and the seatback are moved between the seating position and the storage position such that an interference of the seat cushion and the seatback is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Satta, Hidemitsu Higashi, Masaya Mizuguchi, Hideharu Kato, Tomonori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7686367
    Abstract: A seat storage assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a floor, a roof, and a rear liftgate extending between the floor and the roof. A pair of spaced apart and parallel tracks is disposed along the floor and extends between fore and aft ends. A recess is formed in the floor rearward of the aft ends of the tracks. A second row seat is slidably engaged and pivotally coupled to the tracks for moving between forward and rearward seating positions, and a stowed position within the recess. A third row swing seat is pivotally coupled to the roof for moving between a seating position and a raised stowed position. Moving the third row swing seat into the raised stowed position enables the second row seat to move between the forward and rearward seating positions, and the stowed position within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Colin G. Neale
  • Patent number: 7686389
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a seat cushion frame for supporting a seat cushion and operated to move between a first position and a second position relative to a vehicle floor, a link member including first and second ends respectively pivotably connected to the vehicle floor and to a first end portion of the seat cushion frame, a guiding member provided at the vehicle floor for supporting a second end portion of the seat cushion frame to the vehicle floor and including a guiding groove, and a sliding member provided at the second end portion of the seat cushion frame and slidably engaged into the guiding groove. The guiding groove extends along a connection line connecting the sliding member and a connection point between the seat cushion frame and the link member so as to move the seat cushion frame between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukifumi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100052370
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a seat for the vehicle, a seat moving mechanism moving the seat between a seating position and a stowed position, a plurality of engagement members provided at a vehicle floor, a plurality of locking members provided at the seat to face the plurality of engagement members respectively and engaging with the plurality of engagement members to lock the seat at the seating position, and an engagement position adjusting mechanism adjusting a position of at least one of the engagement member and the locking member that face each other in an engaging movement locus direction where the locking member moves to engage with the engagement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki FUJISAWA, Hiroyuki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7628449
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat is provided that includes a seat part structure (3), at least one backrest support (8) which is hingedly connected to the seat part structure (3) in a blockable manner by means of at least one fitting (7), and a backrest structure (4) that is hingedly connected to the backrest support (8) with the aid of a joint (18) and can be blocked along with the backrest support (8) by means of a blocking mechanism (22). The vehicle seat (1) can be transferred from an operative sitting position into a flat inoperative position by unblocking and swiveling the backrest support (8) and/or the backrest structure (4), the unblocked backrest structure (4) swiveling forward and the unblocked backrest support (8) swiveling rearward during the transition from the operative into the inoperative position. The backrest support (8) is unblocked in a force-controlled manner by swiveling the backrest structure (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Harth
  • Patent number: 7597389
    Abstract: A damper (2) includes: a fixing member (12); a rotator (11) which is rotatably supported by the fixing member (12) and forms a gap (13) with the fixing member (12); a silicone-based unvulcanized rubber (15) disposed in the gap (13); and a one-way clutch means (16) which, in a lateral rotation (R1) of a rear seat (3) in a lowering direction, is adapted to transmit the lateral rotation (R1) in the lowering direction to the rotator (11) so as to cause the rotator 11 to undergo rotation about an axis X, and which, in the lateral rotation (R1) of the automobile rear seat (3) in a raising direction, is adapted to inhibit the transmission of the lateral rotation (R1) in the raising direction to the rotator (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Masamitsu Kojima, Yoshihiro Harada, Yoshiteru Igarashi
  • Patent number: 7568764
    Abstract: A reclining rear seat for a motor vehicle such as a pick-up truck is provided. The rear seat utilizes a pivoting, four-bar link arrangement between the underside of the seat bottom and the vehicle floor. The seat back is slidably and releasably attached to a striker fitted to the inside back wall of the vehicle. This arrangement permits the occupant to selectively move the seat between a reclining position and a non-reclining position without compromising storage space between the front seat and the rear seat. When not in use, the seat bottom may be released and moved to a substantially vertical position against the seat back to increase cargo space. Alternatively, the seat back may be released and moved to a substantially horizontal position against the seat bottom to increase cargo space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kendrick Harper, Anton Crainic, David Hoffman, Jay Erickson
  • Patent number: 7537260
    Abstract: Layout for an automobile vehicle seat retractable into a stowage well (41) made in the floor (4) of the said vehicle, the seat including a backrest (2) foldable onto the seat pan (1) and the seat pan being movable on the floor by pivoting towards the rear between a current utilization position and a retracted position in which the seat pan is located in the well more or less horizontal, the bottom of the seat facing upwards and the backrest then being below the seat pan in the bottom of the well. The seat pan (1) is supported by a seat pan support (3) which is hinged on the floor (4) to allow the said pivoting to the seat pan, and the backrest (2) is connected to the floor of the vehicle by a first rod (6) hinged on the backrest and on the floor respectively so that the pivoting of the seat pan towards the rear is accompanied by the pivoting of the backrest towards the seat pan and the pivoting of the seat pan towards the front is accompanied by the deployment of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
    Inventor: David Epaud
  • Publication number: 20090108639
    Abstract: A load floor system for use with a vehicle seat having a seat bottom and a seat back connected to the seat bottom includes a load floor member adapted for pivotal connection to the seat back and configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position when the load floor member is pivotally connected to the seat back. The load floor member may be substantially horizontal and disposed above and spaced apart from a floor surface of the vehicle when in the deployed position. A support member supports the load floor member when the load floor member is in the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Sturt, Paul Rye
  • Patent number: 7517022
    Abstract: Vehicle seat includes seat frame longitudinally adjustable on an upper rail relative to a lower rail affixed to the chassis. Seat frame is held in place in its longitudinal positions by a longitudinal locking mechanism, releasable by a rail release mechanism. A backrest with a backrest frame is pivotably attached to seat frame, locked in place on seat frame by a stop adjustment mechanism, and, once released by a release lever, can be folded forward from an upright use position to an easy-entry position. Easy-entry manipulation device actuates release lever, a seat cushion adjustable relative to seat frame, with a seat cushion frame, which is shifted forward longitudinally in a coupled adjustment motion when backrest frame is folded forward to easy-entry position. When vehicle seat is in easy-entry position the seat cushion frame can be shifted rearwardly relative to the backrest frame and seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Habedank, Meinhard Behrens
  • Patent number: 7506931
    Abstract: A folding vehicle seat assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising at least one movable seat portion, and at least one fluid powered actuator. The actuators are connected to an operating system which is selectively activatable by a vehicle occupant. The movable seat portion is movably mountable within the vehicle and connected to an actuator. The actuator, when activated, is arranged to move the movable seat portion between a seating position for supporting a seat occupant and a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Hugh H. Christopher, Michael G. Maddelein, Michael R. Hudswell
  • Patent number: 7503613
    Abstract: A power retracting assembly includes an actuator, an output shaft operatively coupled to the actuator, and an outer plate rotatably coupled to the output shaft about an upper axis. A rigid link fixed to the output shaft pivots about a primary lower axis. Rotation of the outer plate by the output shaft in a first direction causes pivotal movement of the link about the primary lower axis in a second direction, thereby rotating the outer plate and the output shaft about the primary lower axis in the second direction. A bracket pivots about a secondary lower axis. A fastener extends from the outer plate through the bracket. As the outer plate rotates about the primary lower axis, the fastener also rotates, pulling the bracket about the secondary lower axis. A stop extending from the bracket travels along an anchor between a seating end and a stowed end for defining movement of the link and the seat assembly between the seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7497511
    Abstract: The invention provides a locking device for a folding seat in a vehicle. The locking device includes: a locking plate connected to a first side of a seat frame of the rear seat by a rotating axis; an operating cable one end of which is connected to a center portion of the locking plate by a rotating axis so as to rotate the locking plate; a return spring in which a first end is connected to the locking plate and the second end of which is connected to a leg frame of the rear seat, thereby applying a force; a hooking indentation formed at a lower portion of the locking plate and; a locking pin fixedly installed to the leg frame of the rear seat and configured to be able to be inserted into the hooking indentation so as to be hooked by the hooking indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignees: Kia Motors Corporation, Daewon San Up Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Do Park, Yong Cheol Jang
  • Patent number: 7484785
    Abstract: A riser assembly extends between a seat cushion and a floor of an automotive vehicle. The riser assembly includes a floor bracket that is fixedly secured to the floor. A rod extends laterally within the vehicle and is fixedly secured to the floor bracket. A front leg extends between upper and lower ends. The upper end is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement of the seat cushion between a generally horizontal seating position and an upright position. The lower end is slidably coupled to the rod for lateral sliding movement of the seat cushion between primary and secondary positions. A pulley wheel is pivotally coupled to the front leg between the upper and lower ends. A cable includes an intermediate portion that extends between a first end fixedly secured to the seat cushion and a second end fixedly secured to the floor bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: James Weber
  • Publication number: 20080284214
    Abstract: A seat storage assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a floor, a roof, and a rear liftgate extending between the floor and the roof. A pair of spaced apart and parallel tracks is disposed along the floor and extends between fore and aft ends. A recess is formed in the floor rearward of the aft ends of the tracks. A second row seat is slidably engaged and pivotally coupled to the tracks for moving between forward and rearward seating positions, and a stowed position within the recess. A third row swing seat is pivotally coupled to the roof for moving between a seating position and a raised stowed position. Moving the third row swing seat into the raised stowed position enables the second row seat to move between the forward and rearward seating positions, and the stowed position within the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Colin G. Neale
  • Patent number: 7452019
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor and an adjustment mechanism providing generally horizontal movement of the seat assembly relative to the floor and substantially vertical movement of the seat assembly through an opening in the floor between a use position extending above the floor and a stowed position disposed in a storage space beneath the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Christopher Day
  • Patent number: 7434883
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat frame (3) with upper rails (5) that are adjustable on vehicle-integrated upper rails (6) in the longitudinal direction and a backrest (8) that is locked on a seat frame-integrated component (4) using inclination adjusters, wherein the vehicle seat (1) can be moved from a utilization position into an easy-entry position by folding the backrest (8) forward into a partially forward-folded position and longitudinal movement of the seat frame (3) from a utilization zone forward into and easy-entry zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Deptolla
  • Patent number: 7431372
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; and a front end transfer member which supports a front end of the seat cushion movably in a front-rear direction of a vehicle; and a rear end transfer member which supports a rear end of the seat cushion movably in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; wherein the seat cushion is storable in a storage concave part provided in a vehicle floor further to a rear than the seat cushion, and the front end transfer member is provided on a vehicle floor adjacent to the front of the storage concave part, and the rear end transfer member is provided on a vehicle floor adjacent to a side of the storage concave part, or provided on a side interior surface of the storage concave part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Imamura, Yoshinobu Terada, Toshio Yamada, Kazuo Sunaoshi
  • Publication number: 20080231087
    Abstract: A power retracting assembly includes an actuator, an output shaft operatively coupled to the actuator, and an outer plate rotatably coupled to the output shaft about an upper axis. A rigid link fixed to the output shaft pivots about a primary lower axis. Rotation of the outer plate by the output shaft in a first direction causes pivotal movement of the link about the primary lower axis in a second direction, thereby rotating the outer plate and the output shaft about the primary lower axis in the second direction. A bracket pivots about a secondary lower axis. A fastener extends from the outer plate through the bracket. As the outer plate rotates about the primary lower axis, the fastener also rotates, pulling the bracket about the secondary lower axis. A stop extending from the bracket travels along an anchor between a seating end and a stowed end for defining movement of the link and the seat assembly between the seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: INTIER AUTOMOTIVE INC.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20080203772
    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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7396075
    Abstract: A rear seat is foldable by moving downward a seat cushion and folding forward a seat back. A power source unit is disposed below a rear floor to the rear of the rear seat. When the rear seat is in an unfolded state, cooling air can be introduced from inside a vehicle compartment, through a space between a lower surface of the seat cushion and an upper surface of an underseat floor, into a cooling-air introduction port in the power source unit. When the rear seat is in a folded state, the cooling air is introduced from inside the vehicle compartment, through cooling-air introduction passages, into the cooling-air introduction port. Thus, the power source unit can be cooled irrespective of whether the rear seat is in the folded state, without reducing the foldability of the rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanae Ohkuma, Harumi Takedomi, Eiji Koike, Masao Kawata
  • Patent number: 7393038
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided which includes a seat base detachably mounted on a vehicle floor, a seat cushion detachably provided on the seat base, and a backrest foldably supported on the seat base. The seat cushion is detached from the seat base, and the seat cushion and the seat base with the backrest folded are juxtaposed to be stored in a recess provided in the vehicle floor or an area under another seat. In the case of non-use, the vehicle seat can be removed from the vehicle floor to be efficiently stored inside a vehicle. A vehicle seat storing structure and a vehicle seat structure are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yajima, Yuichi Tsukada, Koji Kamida, Hidetaka Shinozaki, Tamotsu Oishi
  • Patent number: 7387333
    Abstract: A collapsing truss that completes a four-bar mechanism of a vehicle seat coupled to a vehicle floor. The vehicle seat includes a seat back coupled to a cushion structure via the collapsing truss which incorporates a pivot and a latch which engages on a pin. The collapsing truss includes a floor bracket coupled to the vehicle floor. A seat back bracket is coupled to the seat back and floor bracket. A cushion bracket is pivotally coupled to the cushion structure, the floor bracket, and the seat back bracket. The joints of the collapsing truss are defined by the seat back pivot, the cushion back/seat back bracket pivot, and the latch engagement pin. The seat back moves about the pivot when the collapsing truss operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Kurt A. Seibold
  • Publication number: 20080129072
    Abstract: Layout for an automobile vehicle seat retractable into a stowage well (41) made in the floor (4) of the said vehicle, the seat including a backrest (2) foldable onto the seat pan (1) and the seat pan being movable on the floor by pivoting towards the rear between a current utilization position and a retracted position in which the seat pan is located in the well more or less horizontal, the bottom of the seat facing upwards and the backrest then being below the seat pan in the bottom of the well. The seat pan (1) is supported by a seat pan support (3) which is hinged on the floor (4) to allow the said pivoting to the seat pan, and the backrest (2) is connected to the floor of the vehicle by a first rod (6) hinged on the backrest and on the floor respectively so that the pivoting of the seat pan towards the rear is accompanied by the pivoting of the backrest towards the seat pan and the pivoting of the seat pan towards the front is accompanied by the deployment of the backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: FAURECIA SIEGES D'AUTOMOBILE
    Inventor: David EPAUD
  • Patent number: 7377571
    Abstract: A stowable seat assembly for a vehicle, the seat assembly including a seat, a seat receiving recess in a floor of a vehicle, an upper riser mechanism, a lower riser mechanism and a panel. The upper riser mechanism is coupled to the seat for movement of the seat between an elevated position and a collapsed position. The lower riser mechanism is coupled to the seat receiving recess for movement of the seat between a collapsed position and a stowed position. The panel is positioned between, and coupled to, the upper and lower riser mechanisms. The panel is arranged to conceal the seat receiving recess when the seat is in an elevated position, and is movable into the seat receiving recess when the seat is in a collapsed position to permit the seat to be stowed in the seat receiving recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: David J Ewers, Gary A Kavanagh, Glen M Kondratek, Carl Mather
  • Patent number: 7377582
    Abstract: A seat apparatus include: a shaft rotated by a motor and operatively associated with the seat so as to move the seat; a first leg secured to the shaft and pivotably supported by the seat; a first spring, one end of which is fixedly attached to the shaft and an other end of which is fixedly attached to the seat; the first spring which biases the shift in a first direction; and a second spring, one end of which is fixedly attached to the shaft and an other end of which is fixedly attached to the seat, the second spring which biases the shaft in a second direction. The first direction opposes to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Fukada, Naoaki Hoshihara, Hiroyuki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7374222
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a pivotally attached seat back movable between a seating position secured to the floor of a vehicle and a stowed position recessed in the floor. A pair of front legs are pivotally attached to the seat cushion and removably attached to a striker assembly in a floor. A pair of rear legs is attached between the seat cushion and the floor. A linkage assembly is coupled between the front legs and rear legs. The linkage assembly includes a lost motion slot for retracting the front legs relative to the seat cushion frame allowing the front legs to pivot between a support position extending between the seat cushion and the floor and a retracted position recess against the seat cushion in response to pivotal movement of the seat cushion between the seating position and the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. McLaughlin, Lei Cao, Catherine A. DeVoss
  • Patent number: 7328939
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seatback, a seat cushion, a link mechanism for supporting the seat cushion, and a drive unit for driving the link mechanism and moving the seat cushion between a seating position and a stowed position. When the seat cushion is moved between the seating position and the stowed position, the seat cushion and the seatback keep a constant posture by an operation of the link mechanism and the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Genta Moriyama, Naoaki Hoshihara
  • Publication number: 20070278833
    Abstract: The invention provides a locking device for a folding seat in a vehicle. The locking device includes: a locking plate connected to a first side of a seat frame of the rear seat by a rotating axis; an operating cable one end of which is connected to a center portion of the locking plate by a rotating axis so as to rotate the locking plate; a return spring in which a first end is connected to the locking plate and the second end of which is connected to a leg frame of the rear seat, thereby applying a force; a hooking indentation formed at a lower portion of the locking plate and; a locking pin fixedly installed to the leg frame of the rear seat and configured to be able to be inserted into the hooking indentation so as to be hooked by the hooking indentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Sang Do Park, Yong Cheol Jang
  • Patent number: 7273243
    Abstract: Seat for a rear row of seats in a vehicle, which seat can be collapsed into a recess positioned in the cargo area behind the row of seats for the purpose of expanding cargo space, so that the back side of the backrest, which is folded forward onto the seat portion, is facing upward, and is essentially flush with the cargo area floor. The seat improves the kinematics of known seats and thereby makes the seat more ergonomically favorable in terms of its operation. The conversion of the seat from its use position to its non-use position is achieved through a single operation, namely a continuous pull on a strap fastened at the back end of a two-component seat portion frame, unlike known complicated systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventor: Michal Prugarewicz
  • Patent number: 7270361
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base with two seat legs detachably mounted on a vehicle floor, a seat cushion provided on the seat base, a backrest rotatably supported on the seat base via a backrest support member, a first operation element for releasing a fixation of the seat legs in the rotating direction, and a second operation element for releasing a fixation of the seat base to the vehicle floor. The seat legs are rotatably provided under the seat base. The first operation element and the second operation element are provided at the backrest support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Oishi, Kiyoshi Yajima
  • Patent number: 7267406
    Abstract: A foldable vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a lower end adapted to be supported relative to a vehicle floor to permit movement of the seat back frame between an upper, deployed position and a lowered, stowed position. A seat cross member is adapted to be supported relative to the vehicle floor in a spaced relation to the seat back frame. A seat suspension member, constructed of a flexible material, has a rear portion connected to the seat back frame and a front portion connected to the cross member. When the seat back frame is moved between the deployed position and the stowed position, the cross member and the suspension member are also moved between a deployed position and a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Alan Sturt
  • Patent number: 7255399
    Abstract: An ultra compact, easy to operate folding vehicle seat includes a seat back, seat base and support leg members and is movable between a stow position and a design position. The folding vehicle seat includes a folding mechanism having an upper member for connection to the seat back and a lower member for supporting the seat base; the upper and lower members of the folding mechanism include integrated teeth aligned in meshing relationship such that movement of the seat back causes the lower member to rotate and lift the seat base to move the folding vehicle seat to a design position. A pair of upper cams are provided for selective engagement with the upper member and a third cam tab of the lower member of the folding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brennon White, William H. Jones, Kurt Seibold, Kyle M. Doxey, Patricia L. Conn, Alan J. King, Vanja Cemalovic
  • Patent number: 7240950
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat back, a seat proper connected to the seat back, a link mechanism for fastening the seat to the floor, and enabling the seat to move between a retracted position and a deployed position, the mechanism comprising at least a first connecting rod hinged to the floor and to the seat back, and the seat further comprising a guide mechanism comprising a guide fastened to the floor with the bottom portion of the seat back being guided therealong between the retracted position and the deployed position. In the seat, the rear portion of the seat proper is mounted to pivot relative to the bottom portion of the seat back, and the link mechanism further comprises a connection piece mounted to move relative to the floor and hinged to the front portion of the seat proper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges D'automobile
    Inventors: François Fourrey, Fabrice Lesbats, David Epaud, Sébastien Vankerckvoorde
  • Patent number: 7237837
    Abstract: A convertible car seat that can take on a variety of configurations. These include seat, shelf, document case and flat configurations. The convertible seat is made up of two surfaces, one of a seat and one of a backrest. These are supported by two frames which are symmetrical with respect to a horizontal frame. The frames are made of rigid elements. The elements are connected by joints at each end to create a unit of four axles which permit folding the rigid elements to various configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Heuliez
    Inventors: Gérard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Frédéric Leclerre
  • Patent number: 7219946
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion extending laterally between spaced apart side members. The seat cushion includes a front cross member extending between the side members. Front legs are pivotally assembled at one end to the front cross member for pivotal movement of the seat cushion relative to the front leg between a seating position and a forwardly dumped positions. A rod is connected at a first end to a spaced side member and at a second end to the front leg. The seat cushion is automatically laterally displaced relative to the front legs in response to pivotal movement of the seat cushion relative to the front legs due to changes in the effective length of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Omar D. Tame, Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7213861
    Abstract: A retractable seat device includes a seat body having first and second ends rotatably connected to rear and front legs, respectively, first and second arms, and a link. When the first arm is rotated in a second direction, the rear leg and the front leg connected to the rear leg with the link are unfolded, a rear lock mechanism provided on the rear leg becomes engaged with a first striker provided on the vehicle floor, and then a front lock mechanism provided on the front leg becomes engaged with a second striker provided on the vehicle floor, so that the seat body is supported on the vehicle floor by the rear leg and the front leg. The rear lock mechanism has an interlock structure including a ratchet and a pawl, and the front lock mechanism has a hook lock structure including a hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoyama, Naoaki Hoshihara
  • Patent number: 7137663
    Abstract: A detachable seat for a vehicle, includes a seat cushion, a seat leg mechanism for supporting the seat cushion, the seat leg mechanism including a base member on which the seat cushion is carried, and first and second spaced apart leg members pivotally connected to the base member, a seat back pivotally mounted to the base member of the seat leg mechanism, a first cooperating mechanism on the first and second leg members and a vehicle floor for causing the seat to be releasably locked with the vehicle floor, and a second cooperating mechanism on the base member and the seat cushion for causing the seat cushion to be removably or detachably mounted with respect to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tsujibayashi, Kiyoshi Yajima, Tamotsu Oishi, Koji Kamida
  • Patent number: 7134725
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat including a foldable backrest and a lowerable seat part, wherein the backrest is foldable toward the seat part and a mechanism is provided so the seat part is lowerable from a use position into a forward position, wherein a coupling element is provided to couple folding-down of the backrest to forward movement and lowering of the seat part, and a locking mechanism is provided to lock the seat part in the use position. The coupling element may unlock the locking mechanism as the backrest is folded forward toward the seat part at a predefined angle of inclination, so that inclination of the backrest can be changed while the seat part is locked by folding the backrest forward to the predefined angle of inclination and the unlocked seat part is lowered into the forward position by folding the backrest further forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Hofmann, Olaf Göbel
  • Patent number: 7128358
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat assembly has an adjustable seat cushion and a foldable seat back. The adjustable vehicle seat assembly is pivotally mounted on the vehicle for rotation from an extended passenger carrying position to a storage position behind the passenger carrying position. The seat cushion is slidably mounted on a rail assembly having a pivotal connection to the vehicle at a position behind the passenger carrying position and a latch located at the forward portion of the seat cushion whereby the seat adjusting assembly is rotated with the folded seat cushion and seat back into the storage position after release of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Perin