For Use By Occupant While Seated Patents (Class 297/183.9)
  • Patent number: 10881564
    Abstract: A seat assist device is described. The seat assist device includes a base, a lift platform having a front portion and a rear portion, with the front portion of the lift platform being pivotally connected with the base. A lifting arm is connected with the rear portion of the lift platform. The lifting arm extends from the lift platform to project beyond the front portion of the lift platform, with the lifting arm terminating in handles for grasping by a user. A lift bar is pivotally connected between the base and the lifting arm, whereby a user sitting upon the seat assist device can press downward on the handles to cause the rear portion of the lift platform to rise and, in doing so, assist the user in rising from a seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SPLANE DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Robson Lindsay Splane, David A. Chen
  • Patent number: 10874564
    Abstract: A seat assist device is described. The seat assist device includes a base, a lift platform having a front portion and a rear portion, with the front portion of the lift platform being pivotally connected with the base. A lifting arm is connected with the rear portion of the lift platform. The lifting arm extends from the lift platform to project beyond the front portion of the lift platform, with the lifting arm terminating in handles for grasping by a user. A lift bar is pivotally connected between the base and the lifting arm, whereby a user sitting upon the seat assist device can press downward on the handles to cause the rear portion of the lift platform to rise and, in doing so, assist the user in rising from a seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SPLANE DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Robson Lindsay Splane, David A. Chen
  • Patent number: 10556533
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a seating assembly including a seatback pivotally movable relative to a seat about an axis, the seatback including a bottom portion and a top portion disposed further away from the axis than the bottom portion; and a seatback support element having a first portion coupled to the vehicle at a position other than the seatback and a second portion where the seatback interacts with the seatback support element, the seatback support element resisting pivotal movement of the seatback about the axis. The seatback support element can further includ3 a third portion coupled to the vehicle at a position other than the seatback. The second portion is between the first portion and the third portion along a length of the seatback support element. The first portion is coupled to the vehicle forward of the axis of the seatback and the third portion is coupled rearward of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar, John W. Jaranson, Sangram Laxman Tamhankar, Mike James Whitens, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 10206833
    Abstract: An assist chair includes a base portion, a pair of armrests, a backrest, an uplifting apparatus, a seat cushion and a waist rest cushion, wherein the uplifting apparatus further includes a pair of assist handles. When the uplifting apparatus is activated, the assist handles is capable of being driven out of inner sides of the pair of armrests, leaving the inner sides of the armrests or being retracted back to the inner sides of the pair of armrests after being pushed out of the armrests, such that the configuration can support the elderly when standing up or sitting down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventor: Chi-Wu Huang
  • Patent number: 9918886
    Abstract: A seat assist device is described. The seat assist device includes a base, a lift platform having a front portion and a rear portion, with the front portion of the lift platform being pivotally connected with the base. A lifting arm is connected with the rear portion of the lift platform. The lifting arm extends from the lift platform to project beyond the front potion of the lift platform, with the lifting arm terminating in handles for grasping by a user. A lift bar is pivotally connected between the base and the lifting arm, whereby a user sitting upon the seat assist device can press downward on the handles to cause the rear portion of the lift platform to rise and, in doing so, assist the user in rising from a seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SPLANE DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Robson Lindsay Splane, Jr., David A. Chen
  • Publication number: 20140292044
    Abstract: A vehicle having a single seat for a plurality of occupants sitting side by side in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The seat has a front end recessed rearwardly at a center seat portion so as to form a substantially U-shaped recess as viewed in a plan view. The recess is composed of a bottom portion and a pair of left and right side portions extending obliquely in a forward direction from the left and right ends of the bottom portion. At a left corner portion of a right seat portion where the right side portion of the recess intersects the front end of the right seat portion, there is provided a seat grip for gripping by the occupant sitting on the right seat portion. The occupant can easily grip the seat grip with his/her hand in the vicinity of his/her body, thereby obtaining good support for the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime UCHIYAMA, Hiroyuki NISHIMORI, Takeshi KAMIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140159443
    Abstract: A therapeutic recumbent chair having back and leg cushions and including an adjustable lumbar support member and an adjustable scapula region support member, each within the back cushion and movable toward and away from a front surface of the back cushion for adjustment of the support members against the back cushion for comfortably supporting the back of a user when the user is seated in the chair. Varying the positions of the adjustable lumbar support member and of the adjustable scapula region support member allows the chair to be configured to properly support a user's back when the user is in a recumbent position, for minimizing back problems of a user and for treating back disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. QUINT
  • Patent number: 7789463
    Abstract: A chair for enhancing a waist strength is disclosed, which can be easily used by anybody for thereby exercising waist, pelvis and belly muscles. The chair for a waist exercise comprises a seat which has a circular plate for stably supporting a user's hips, and a receptacle which is vertically extended in a downward direction from a lower side of the circular plate; a cylindrical connection unit which has an upper end inserted into the receptacle of the lower side of the seat and a certain absorbing force with respect to a pressure when the vertical weight of the seat is applied, with the length of the same being adjustable for thereby adjusting the height of the seat; and a support unit which has an upper side engaged at the lower side of the connection unit and is provided with a plurality of legs which are extended in a perpendicular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Sung Gil Gang
  • Publication number: 20090256402
    Abstract: A zero gravity wall hugger recliner having a motor drive, seat and backrest assembly that move back and forth on a trolley mounted on the chair base when the seat and backrest assembly move forward with the trolley on the chair base. A bracket attached between the base and seat moves the assembly from an upright to a reclined position. The recliner has a leg rest driven by a control bar attached between the leg rest and bracket for elevation the leg rest when the trolley moves forward and retracts the leg rest when the trolley moves to the rear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Nathaniel Smith
  • Publication number: 20090212605
    Abstract: An apparatus that can be used as a traditional seat and for providing fun for children. The apparatus comprises an inflatable chair having a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material. The predetermined shape includes a rounded bottom, such rounded bottom is used for bouncing the inflatable chair during play time. A pair of integrated handles are integrally formed as part of the inflatable chair for enabling a user to grasp such handles when the inflatable chair is being used as a bouncing chair during play time. There is a base unit having a substantially flat bottom surface and an upper surface that has an arcuate indented center portion for holding the rounded bottom of the inflatable chair when the chair is being used as a traditional chair, the arcuate indented center portion is shaped to be compatible with the rounded bottom of the inflatable chair. Such apparatus also includes a means for inflating and deflating the inflatable chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Robin D. Buckner
  • Publication number: 20090179465
    Abstract: An interior seat assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The interior seat assembly includes a center console, a seat back, a seat bottom, and a cantilevered member. The center console extends in fore and aft directions of the vehicle. The center console includes a first console section coupled to a floor of the vehicle and having at least one seat track positioned therein. The center console further includes a second console section supported by the first console section for storing items. The seat back is positioned adjacent to the center console. The seat bottom is coupled to the seat back for coacting with the seat back to support a passenger thereon. The cantilevered member is coupled to the seat track of the first console section and to the seat back for moving the seat back and the seat bottom in the fore or the aft directions of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Paxton, Sven Etzelsberger, Kris Tomasson
  • Patent number: 7229119
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a supporting device includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail supported by the lower rail so as to be slidable in a front-rear direction, a lower arm fixed to the upper rail, a supporting cover provided at the side of a door so that a passenger gets in/out of the vehicle interior with putting his/her hand on the supporting cover, a bracket for supporting the supporting cover from underneath thereof, an upper surface portion formed in a plate shape at the bracket so as to extend in an approximately horizontal direction, an extending portion formed in a plate shape at the bracket extending downward from the upper surface portion and forming a vertical portion at which the bracket is fastened to the lower arm, and a through hole formed on the upper surface portion of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kimura, Noriaki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7225899
    Abstract: A stair lift for lifting and lowering at least one person on a rail on a stairway. There is a carriage mountable to the rail, the carriage having a track engaging drive, and a motor to power the drive, the powered drive causing the carriage to move along the rail. There is a central support post mounted on the carriage and an offset arm connected to the seat support post. The offset arm is mounted to the carriage in one of a left side or a right side position. A seat is mounted on the offset arm, and a notched plate secures the seat in position on the offset arm in either the left side or right side position and permits the seat to swivel between a sideways facing position and an upward facing position to facilitate the person getting into and out of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Rutherford Independence Limited
    Inventors: Gordon Molnar, Peter Shaw
  • Patent number: 7121620
    Abstract: A foldable bath bench has a seat assembly and two leg assemblies. The seat assembly has a front, a rear, two opposite sides, two transverse crossbars and at least one seat. The transverse crossbars are mounted respectively at the front and rear, and each transverse crossbar has two opposite ends. The at least one seat is mounted on the transverse crossbars. The leg assemblies are mounted on the opposite sides of the seat assembly, and each leg assembly has two bracket assemblies, and two vertical supports and two legs. The vertical supports are attached respectively to the bracket assemblies and are able to pivot relative to the ends of the transverse crossbars. The legs are mounted respectively on the vertical supports. The foldable bath bench becomes more compact by folding the vertical supports of the leg assemblies relative to the seat assembly for carrying and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hui Zhou Andon Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: James Fang
  • Patent number: 7070233
    Abstract: A body support chair having two symmetrical lateral articulated systems, each having a first deformable polygon, a second deformable polygon, a back assembly articulated on the first quadrilateral, and a maneuvering assembly interposed between the first polygon and the frame which includes a first lever articulated on the rear part of the frame, a second lever with two ends, one end being articulated on the first lever and the other end being articulated on the first polygon and a maneuvering handle which is attached to the second lever and a maneuvering assembly which is interposed between the first polygon and the frame and which comprises a maneuvering handle which is attached. The chair is characterized in that for each maneuvering assembly, the position of the maneuvering handle is adjustable between the ends of the second lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Lifestand International SA
    Inventor: Francois Xavier Laffin
  • Patent number: 6974191
    Abstract: A bath chair having elongated slots on opposite sides, legs secured to the seat, and a backrest mounted on two opposed L-shaped backrest support tubes, is provided with a pair of handrails secured to the seat by the horizontal segments of the backrest support tubes. Pairs of connecting tubes are mounted on opposite sides of the bottom face of the seat, each connecting tube having a cylindrical opening sized and disposed to receive respective horizontal segments of the backrest support tubes. The handrails are inserted through respective seat slots, each carrying a cylindrical member at its end disposed between and aligned with opposed connecting tubes. The horizontal segments of the backrest support tubes are inserted through the connecting tubes and the handrail cylindrical members therebetween so as to secure the handrail to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Medical Depot, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Serhan
  • Publication number: 20040070238
    Abstract: An ergonomic shower chair with built in bidet, comprising an ergonomic seat portion, an ergonomic back portion with lumbar support, and a bidet portion. Water enters the bidet portion by holding a hand-held showerhead against the main opening of the bidet portion, and is sprayed towards the user's perineal area through bidet nozzles positioned within holes along a longitudinal groove in the seat portion. Because these holes have inner diameters that are wider than the outer diameters of the bidet nozzles, water is drained away through the interstices between the hole walls and the bidet nozzles. The seat portion includes additional drainage holes for fast drainage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Mo-Bility Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Moser, George Albert Mansfield, Richard Dean Traver
  • Patent number: 6601865
    Abstract: A visually appealing rollable, collapsible chair comprising a cushioned seat, stability handles projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the seat and being foldable under the seat, wheeled front and rear legs, a seat back including a continuous upside down u-shaped rod and a seat back cushion, a pair of handle bars for pushing the occupant while seated, a substantially rectangular leg rest spanning the width of the chair and supported by a fifth wheel, a cane holder, a net and a removable arm rest assembly comprising a substantially flat arm rest having a clip on a bottom thereof, an L-shaped bar made of a short side, a long side and a vertical side perpendicular to the short side, the bottom of the arm rest clipping and resting on the long side of the L-shaped bar, the arm rest including a larger portion that is foldable upwardly for drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Sebert Harper
  • Patent number: 6598935
    Abstract: A vehicle seat for an operator is disclosed in combination with a mechanical joystick for operating ancillary equipment of the vehicle. The joystick is pivotably mounted on the seat for movement between an active position in which the joystick may be manipulated by a seated operator and a stowed position in which access to the seat is unencumbered by the joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Colliar, Jeffrey W. Mowatt, Russell W. Strong, Michael Skelcher
  • Publication number: 20030102700
    Abstract: A combination type bath chair includes a seat, a backrest fixed by two backrest support racks, chair legs each provided with a retractable tube, backrest connecting tubes, and chair leg connecting tubes. When each of the chair legs is mounted on the chair leg connecting tube, the conic portion of the insertion end of each of the chair legs is urged on the conic oblique opening of the urging sleeve of the chair leg connecting tube, so that when each of the chair legs is pressed by a user's weight, each of the chair legs may be supported rigidly and stably, thereby increasing the rigidity and stability of each of the chair legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Fang-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 6438769
    Abstract: The mobile seat lifting apparatus pivots a seat member between a sitting position and a standing position and includes a frame assembly and a seat assembly pivotally connected thereto, an actuator connected to the seat assembly, and a driving mechanism connected to the actuator to pivot the seat assembly between the standing position and the sitting position. The frame assembly includes a floor brace that is able to securely support the remainder of the frame assembly and the attached seat assembly with a user sitting thereon. The frame assembly further includes a seat brace and a support arm, wherein the support arm connects the seat brace with the floor brace. The actuator is preferably connected between the floor brace and the seat brace such that the actuator additionally supports the seat brace in either the standing position or the sitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Mike Rex Luckenbill