For Absorbing Rear-impact Force Patents (Class 297/216.14)
  • Patent number: 8579370
    Abstract: A seat back of vehicle seat, on which a headrest unmovable in fore-and-aft direction is mounted, is constructed such that a resilient support member for supporting a back portion of seat occupant is provided therein, and the upper region of that resilient support member is operatively connected, via movable connecting element, with a biasing element. When a rear-end collision occurs, the resilient support member is displaced far backwardly by excessive great load applied thereto from the seat occupant, overcoming a biasing force of the biasing element, thereby causing the biasing element to stretch long, so that the resilient support member with the seat occupant's back portion thereon is displaced backwardly and upwardly under guidance of the movable connecting element so as to quickly bring a head of the seat occupant to a point close to the headrest, prior to the head being directly pressed against the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kanda
  • Publication number: 20130270878
    Abstract: A seat back pad 70 has a groove 73 for tucking a skin material therein, formed at borders between a central portion 71 and side portions 72. A hole (slot hole 74) is formed in a bottom of the groove 73 along the groove 73. A tuck-in wire 76 for tucking the skin material in includes a plurality of tuck-in portions 76A provided along the groove 73, and a connecting portion (detour portion 76B) detouring around the hole and connecting the tuck-in portions 76A. With this configuration, when an upper body of an occupant P subsides into a seat back S2 in a rear-end collision of a vehicle, the central portion 71, defined by the groove 73 as a border, is easily and sufficiently moved rearward relative to the left and right side portions 72. Furthermore, the tuck-in wire 76 is not exposed through the hole, and thus adhesion between the seat back pad 70 and the tuck-in wire 76 can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takamasa Adachi, Tsutomu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8556340
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a pair of discontinuous reclining mechanisms on opposite sides of the seat that are connected by a connecting rod. A pair of torque transmission joints are provided on opposite ends of the connecting rod. The torque transmission joints connect the opposite ends of the connecting rod to the reclining mechanisms. The torque transmission joints permit torque to be transmitted by manipulation of a handle to adjust the vehicle seat. Loads applied from the rear to the vehicle seat back are prevented from transmitting torque to the connecting rod by a lost motion connection provided by the torque transmission joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Roberto D'Agostini
  • Publication number: 20130264850
    Abstract: A reclining apparatus includes: a base plate; a ratchet plate including a recessed portion having a inner circumferential surface provided with internal teeth; a pole including an outer circumferential surface of the pole provided with external teeth engageable with the internal teeth; and a guide, which is provided in the base plate to guide the pole between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the pole includes: a first cut external teeth part having a first tooth surface, in which a first side receiving a forward load is cut; and a second cut external teeth part having a second tooth surface, in which a second side receiving the rearward load is cut, and wherein a cutting degree of the first cut external teeth part is different from a cutting degree of the second cut external teeth part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noriaki MAEDA
  • Patent number: 8550552
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided where an urging element(s) is engaged with a shock reducing member in an optimum state under a normal seating load or in a rear-end collision, a number of parts can be reduced without using a separate member to mount the urging element(s), and at the same time, a high degree of design freedom is created. The seat comprises a seat back frame, a headrest, a pressure receiving member connected to the seat back frame via a connecting member to move independently from the headrest, a rotating member that is disposed on a side part on each side and is connected to the connecting member to rotate independently from the headrest, and a spring mounted to the rotating member and the seat back frame. At least one of mounting parts is formed integrally with the rotating member or the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nitsuma
  • Patent number: 8544948
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided in which a shock reducing member provides an optimum state both under a usual (normal) seating load and in a rear-end collision load, the sinking (moving) amount of the passenger's body to the vehicle rear at the time of rear-end collision can be increased, and a shock applied to a passenger at the time of rear-end collision can be reduced effectively, independently from a headrest. A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame, a headrest, a pressure receiving member connected to the seat back frame via wires, and a rotating member disposed at least on one side of side parts on both sides of the seat back frame. The rotating member is rotated by a predetermined impact load applied to the pressure receiving member, and comes into contact with the seat back frame, whereby the rotating is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nitsuma
  • Patent number: 8534703
    Abstract: A passenger seat protection system for a seated passenger of a vehicle includes a seat back supporting a pressurizable vessel storing a quantity of pressurized gas within a compartment, the compartment defined by one or more walls that collapse responsive to a force applied to the seat back by the seated passenger in a rear impact of the vehicle; a headrest including a bladder responsive to a gas pressure from the quantity of pressurized gas to transition an expansion of the headrest from a first expansion mode to a second expansion mode; and a gas channel communicating the quantity of pressurized gas to the bladder after a collapsing of the one or more walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20130187418
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat capable of allowing an occupant's upper body to sink into a seatback without suppressing a rearward movement of the occupants' waist. The vehicle seat includes: a seatback frame which includes a pair of side frames, an upper frame connecting the pair of side frames to each other at the upper portions thereof, and one or more connection members connecting the pair of side frames to each other at the lower portions thereof; and a reclining device provided below the pair of side frames in which the connection members each includes ends jointed to the pair of side frames and a center portion positioned at the substantially center part of the connection member, and an upper surface of the center portion is provided below the occupant's waist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masato Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8469446
    Abstract: A shoulder receiving portion is defined in each of two lateral frame members of seat back framework of vehicle seat in order to receive two shoulder portions of seat occupant in the case of rear-end collision, prior to a seat occupant's back portion being moved close to an upper frame member of the seat back framework. The shoulder receiving portion is therefore arranged in an upper region of each of the two lateral frame members so as to project forwardly from a plane where the two lateral frame members lie, and the upper frame member is formed in substantially “inverted-U” shape and inclined backwardly distant from the two lateral frame members, This arrangement avoids unpleasant pressed touch to be given to the seat occupant's back portion in the case of rear-end collision and may prevent a great impact from being imparted to vertebrae of the seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8465092
    Abstract: In an upper frame member of seat back framework, an upward-slippage prevention portion is simply defined to prevent a seat occupant's back portion from being slipped or dislocated on and along a seat back in the case of rear-end collision. The upward-slippage prevention portion has a sloped region for receiving the seat occupant's back portion which is to be slipped or dislocated on and along the seat back under inertia when a rear-end collision occurs and thereby preventing an undesired upward slippage or dislocation of that seat occupant's back portion which will result in damage of his or her neck or cervical vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8444220
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a back frame, an elastic member interconnecting side supports of the back frame, a movable member on the elastic member, and a restriction on the back frame. The movable member and the restriction engage each other in a first mode when a rearward load on the elastic member is less than a given value and are released from one another in a second mode when the load on the elastic member equals or exceeds the given value. The restriction restricts a rearward movement of the movable member in the first mode to limit rearward bending of the elastic member. Rearward movement of the movable member is permitted in the second mode to release the limitation on bending of the elastic member. Thus, the vehicle seat protects an occupant's neck during a rear collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Okamoto, Ryota Okimoto
  • Publication number: 20130119724
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat by which an impact of rear end collision is reduced and of which peripheral structure of a side frame is simplified. A vehicle seat includes: a seat back frame which includes side portions positioned at the sides thereof, a pressure receiving member which is jointed to the seat back frame through joint members and supports an occupant, and an impact reduction member which is disposed on at least one of the side portions to engage with the joint member and to move by a predetermined amount of impact load applied to the pressure receiving member so that the pressure receiving member is caused to move rearward; in which the side portion includes a convex portion protruding in the movement range of the impact reduction member, and the impact reduction member abuts against the convex portion so that the movement of the impact reduction member is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamasa Adachi, Hiroyuki Kaku, Takayuki Inoue, Yutaka Kizawa, Akimitsu Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20130113246
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat having a sufficient strength against an impact load due to collision in a peripheral structure of a side frame and having a reduced size of the peripheral structure of the side frame. The vehicle seat includes a seat back frame having a side portion located on a lateral side, a load input member arranged on the lateral side of the seat back frame so that a load from another member is input thereto, a pressure receiving member coupled to the seat back frame via a joint member and supporting an occupant, and an impact reduction member arranged on at least one side of the side portion, engaging with the joint member, and moving the pressure receiving member rearward by an impact load applied to the pressure receiving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: TS TECH CO., LTD
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kaku
  • Publication number: 20130099532
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a pair of side frames configuring a portion of a seatback frame serving as framework for a seatback; a deformation origin portion provided to at least one of the pair of side frames and acting as an origin when the side frame deforms due to a collision force imparted to the seatback frame during a rear-on collision; and a deformation suppression unit provided to the side frame provided with the deformation origin portion, permitting deformation of the side frame originating at the deformation origin portion and suppressing deformation of the side frame by a reference amount or greater by the deformation suppression unit making contact with a contacted member provided to the seatback frame when the deformation amount of the side frame has reached the reference amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8424965
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism in which a pressure receiving member is attached to two side frames of a seat back of a vehicle seat so as to be rotatable about rotation axes extending in a widthwise direction and in which when the pressure receiving member is rotated by a pressing load of an passenger sitting on the vehicle seat, the pressing load is selectively transmitted to an operation bracket pivotally connected to the rotation axes such that the operation bracket is rotated in the same direction as the pressure receiving member. When the pressure receiving member receives a quick pressing load, the operation bracket rotates while being mechanically integrated with the pressure receiving member, so that the pressing load can be transmitted to the operation bracket. When the pressure receiving member receives a slow pressing load, the operation bracket does not rotate, and only the pressure receiving member rotates, so that the transmission of the pressing load can be blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuki Sasaki, Kouji Kaneda, Kei Matsui
  • 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: 8376393
    Abstract: A covering is provided for an interior element of a motor vehicle equipped with an airbag and method is provided for producing such a covering. The covering includes, but is not limited to two covering parts arranged in an overlapping manner. The outer covering part in the region of an end facing a piping is formed as a two-layer hem. A piping tab receiving the piping is sewn together with the one covering part with a holding seam. A tearing seam is sewn together with the inner covering part, the piping tab and the inner hem portion. In addition, a double seam is sewn together with the inner and outer hem portion. With the method, the holding seam is sewn in a first step, in another step the tearing seam and in yet another step the double seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthias Stroeher, Ralf Eidt, Frank Bausch
  • Patent number: 8371655
    Abstract: A seat cushion frame structure of a seat for a vehicle has a seat cushion frame structure, a rear end of which is connected to a lower end of a seat back frame structure in such a way that the seat back frame structure can be inclined relative to the seat cushion frame structure, the seat cushion frame structure includes a pair of side frames, each of which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an oblique wire on at least one of the pair of side frames, an upper end of which is fixed to a side portion of the at least one of pair of side frames and a lower end of which is fixed to the seat cushion frame structure at a position forward of the upper end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Nonomiya
  • Publication number: 20120292961
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat which has a simple structure, prevents the lower back region of an occupant from sinking into the seat back, induces backward rotation of the entire upper body when a rear-end collision occurs, and reduces the degree to which the neck region of the occupant independently tilts backward, and is therefore able to effectively reduce the load on the neck region and so on of the occupant. A vehicle seat is provided with a neck-burden reduction element that, during a rear-end collision, causes a greater amount of backward movement of a connection point between the neck region and a torso region of the occupant than the amount of backward movement of a lower torso region of the occupant, and causes an upper torso region of the occupant to sink into the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nitsuma, Masaya Furuta
  • Patent number: 8287039
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion plate mounted on seat springs, a seat cushion provided in front of the cushion plate; and an auxiliary plate provided between the seat cushion and the cushion plate for pushing out the seat cushion forward. The auxiliary plate is provided at its upper portion with a plurality of hooks to be engaged in a plurality of engagement holes formed in the cushion plate. The hooks are engaged in the engagement holes so that they can rotate around a lateral direction but do not move in back-and-forth direction and in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20120242124
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat including reclining devices which are provided at both left and right side portions of a seat back, respectively, and having operation shafts connected to each other by a rod such that the operations shafts of the respective reclining devices rotate in synchronization with each other to release a locking state thereof, and a deformation member which is supported by a framework of the seat back and is configured to be deformed to move forward by collision of an object from a rear side due to a vehicle collision. The deformation member is engaged to the rod by the deformation movement to restrain a rotational movement of the rod in an unlocking direction of the reclining devices with a support of a framework strength of the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoaki TANABE, Atsushi SUZUKI, Yuuya SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8272687
    Abstract: The invention relates to vehicle seat comprising a seat part and to a restraint device and a corresponding method of manufacture. The vehicle seat comprises an anti-submarining restraint device for preventing an occupant from slipping through on the vehicle seat when decelerated due to a crash, said restraint device being settable to a retracted inactive position and said restraint device being settable to an extended active position. The seat part, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, has lateral seat parts on both sides of the seat, a padding defining a seat area and a padding support (34) below said padding. The restraint device also comprises a tilting element (24) between the padding support and the padding and spaced apart from the lateral parts, said tilting element having at least one deformable element (24) as an energy dissipation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gross, Harald Mund
  • Patent number: 8267471
    Abstract: A vehicle seat back includes a frame and back support member. The back support member can connect with the frame at a first location and at a second location. The back support member can include a breakaway connection configured to rupture during a crash event to increase an operative length of the back support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Travis M. Reel
  • Publication number: 20120181825
    Abstract: A shoulder receiving portion is defined in each of two lateral frame members of seat back framework of vehicle seat in order to receive two shoulder portions of seat occupant in the case of rear-end collision, prior to a seat occupant's back portion being moved close to an upper frame member of the seat back framework. The shoulder receiving portion is therefore arranged in an upper region of each of the two lateral frame members so as to project forwardly from a plane where the two lateral frame members lie, and the upper frame member is formed in substantially “inverted-U” shape and inclined backwardly distant from the two lateral frame members, This arrangement avoids unpleasant pressed touch to be given to the seat occupant's back portion in the case of rear-end collision and may prevent a great impact from being imparted to vertebrae of the seat occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji KANDA, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Patent number: 8215709
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 8210606
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy absorption device in particular for the seat of an automobile in case of a shock, said device being substantially in the form of a plate including a succession of cutouts following each other in a deformation direction (X) between a first cutout and a last cutout and defining between them at least one bridge extending in a stretching direction (Y) transverse to the deformation direction (X), the first cutout having a shape slightly flaring in the deformation (X) direction towards the following cutouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Julien Meghira, Michael Haverkamp
  • Patent number: 8201882
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a vehicle seat is provided. The clutch mechanism includes a pressure-receiving member rotatably assembled to a frame of a seatback of the vehicle seat, a connecting arm having a weight and a pin, and provided rotatably to the pressure-receiving member, and a swinging member provided rotatably to the frame, and including a rib which is formed with a cutout capable of receiving the pin. While inertia force occurring due to a crash of a vehicle from behind acts on the weight, when the pressure-receiving member rotates upon receipt of a seatback load of a passenger of the vehicle seat, the connecting arm moves along with the rotation of the pressure-receiving member so that the pin of the connecting arm pushes either one of an edge of the rib and a cutout of the rib while entering the cutout, to rotate the swinging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taiyo Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8201881
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a vehicle seat is provided. The clutch mechanism includes a pressure-receiving member rotatably assembled to a frame of a seatback, a connecting arm having a weight and provided rotatably to the pressure-receiving member, a first swinging member provided rotatably to the frame, wherein while inertia force occurring due to a crash of a vehicle from behind acts on the weight, when the pressure-receiving member rotates upon receipt of a seatback load of a passenger, the connecting arm causes the first swinging member to rotate; and a second swinging member provided rotatably to the frame of the seatback, and configured to rotate along with the rotation of the first swinging member. The second swinging member is held in a state achieved when the first swinging member rotates by a predetermined angle even when the first swinging member rotates by an angle larger than the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taiyo Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20120146370
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing neck injury for use in a vehicle seat, which is connected between a recliner base installed on a back frame and a plate base on which a seat cushion is provided, may include a front connection link that is hinged to a front part of the recliner base at an upper end thereof and to a front part of the plate base at a lower end thereof; and a rear connection link that is hinged to a rear part of the recliner base at an upper end thereof and to a rear part of the plate base at a lower end thereof, wherein the front connection link is pivoted at a greater angle than the rear connection link such that the back frame moves in a forward direction in the event of a vehicle rear-end collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, DAS Co., Ltd., Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Ki Lee, Sang Seok Seong
  • Patent number: 8191830
    Abstract: An ejection seat includes a headrest that, upon initiation of the ejection seat, moves forward to support the pilot's head in a tilted-forward position. By holding the crewmember's head in a tilted-forward position, windblast forces are controlled to prevent the helmet from pulling upward and backward on the crewmember's head. The headrest may include a pair of struts that extend forward around the sides of the crewmember's helmet to support the crewmember's head against flailing from the windblast. A flexible panel extending between the struts and the headrest panel may also be included to further support the crewmember's head against windblast flailing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brad Mastrolia
  • Patent number: 8172320
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of impact absorption blocks and vehicle seatbacks and seats comprising impact absorption blocks. One embodiment of a vehicle seatback assembly comprises a seatback frame, a seat pad and an impact absorption block. The seatback frame comprises a first side member having an upper end and a lower end, a second side member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first side member and having an upper end and a lower end and a cross-member extending between the first and second side members. The seat pad overlies the seatback frame to define a forward surface. The impact absorption block is positioned between the seat pad and the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Kalinowski
  • Publication number: 20120098305
    Abstract: A seat back frame for the vehicle seat, includes a pair of side frames that are disposed on both sides in a seat width direction; and a supporting plate that has both ends connected to a bottom section of each of the side frames, wherein the supporting plate is at least disposed along an interval between a first height that corresponds to an upper part of a lumbar vertebra of an occupant seated in the seat and a second height that corresponds to a lower part of the lumbar vertebra, and curves in a manner such that, in a cross-section along with a vertical direction, the supporting plate bulges forward along a line from the first height to the second height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jogen Yamaki, Kenichi Saito, Takeshi Abe, Harutomi Nishide, Yozo Furuta, Yoshitomo Oka, Hisato Oku
  • Patent number: 8136878
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat frame comprising a lower frame connected to side frames, and a seating frame connected to the lower frame. A connecting structure is formed at a position remote from a rotate center as a connecting portion of an end side of the side frame to the lower frame; the connecting structure comprises an elongated hole formed in the applicable side frame and extending in an up-and-down direction, a convex portion formed on the lower frame, an energy absorbing plate, and a guide member for guiding the energy absorbing plate; and the convex portion and the elongated hole are configured to be relatively movable, while plastically deforming the energy absorbing plate which is supported in an abutting manner by a seating frame side of the convex portion and which is disposed in a clamped manner between the convex portion and the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nitsuma, Takeshi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8118361
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
  • Patent number: 8113578
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a headrest mounted on the seatback frame so as to be movable in a front-and-back direction, a cushion plate mounted on the seatback frame, and a collision detector provided at back side of cushion plate. The headrest is connected to the collision detector by way of a active headrest mechanism. When the collision detector is moved backward, the headrest is moved forward. A space part is formed between an upper edge of the cushion plate and an upper frame of the seatback frame. The space part is enlarged by forming the upper frame by a pipe frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Furuta, Kenichi Niitsuma
  • Publication number: 20110291448
    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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Syuzo Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20110285185
    Abstract: A vehicle seat capable, with a simple, lightweight structure, of improving a whiplash moderation effect from a head rest. In the vehicle seat (10), when there is an impact at a rear face of the vehicle, a support frame (50) that is fixed to a reclining rod (46) separately from a seatback frame (32) supports the waist area of a seat occupant from the vehicle rearward side. Thus, a load from the seat occupant that is inputted to the seatback frame (32) is reduced. Therefore, a displacement amount (deformation amount) of the seatback frame (32) to the vehicle rearward side may be suppressed. Thus, a duration until the head area of the seat occupant abuts against a headrest (16) may be shortened. Moreover, the support frame (32) that only supports the waist area of the seat occupant need only be fixed to the reclining rod (46). Therefore, a simple, lightweight structure may be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Ishizaki, Manabu Ishimoto
  • Publication number: 20110272978
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided that includes a seat back frame, a headrest, a pressure receiving member that moves independently from the headrest, and pivoting members that are disposed in at least one of both side portions of the seat back frame, are linked to the pressure receiving member, and move independently from the headrest under a predetermined impact load. The pivoting members are linked via coupling members to a biasing element that biases the pressure receiving member toward the front of the seat back frame. The force that restores the pivoting members into an initial state is greatest during normal seating, and covers a range in which the force decreases when the pivoting members move due to a rear-end collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: TS TECH CO, LTD
    Inventor: Kenichi Nitsuma
  • Patent number: 8046944
    Abstract: An automobile interior exhibit is configured with a relief formed to replicate an automobile interior member and an interior cover covering the surface of the relief. In the automobile interior exhibit, the relief is provided with a simulative three-dimensional form in perspective so that the relief provides a view from a predetermined viewpoint even when the relief is viewed from the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tokuyuki Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8047606
    Abstract: One aspect according to the invention can include a headrest operating device including a backside collision detecting device that can produce an operational force upon detection of occurrence of backside collision. The operational force of the backside collision detecting device can be transmitted to an operation member via an interlocking member. A switching device can switch a path of movement of the interlocking member between an inoperative path and an operative path. When no backside collision occurs, the interlocking member can move along the inoperative path, so that the operational force of the backside collision detecting device cannot be transmitted to the operation member. When the backside collision occurs, the interlocking member can move along the operative path, so that the operational force of the backside collision detecting device can be transmitted to the operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kei Matsui
  • Publication number: 20110241394
    Abstract: A vehicle seatback including a seatback frame provided with a pair of seatback side frame portions and a seatback upper frame portion that connects together upper end portions of the pair of seatback upper frame portions along the seat width direction, and a support member attached to the seatback frame. The support member is provided with a lower neck bearing portion covering the seatback upper frame portion, and a shoulder bearing portion disposed further towards the front than the seatback upper frame portion in the seat front-rear direction. When a load of a specific value or greater acts on the occupant towards the rear in the seat front-rear direction, the shoulder regions of the occupant are pressed against the shoulder bearing portion, suppressing movement of the occupant towards the rear in the seat front-rear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi YAMAGUCHI, Makoto HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20110215619
    Abstract: In an upper frame member of seat back framework, an upward-slippage prevention portion is simply defined to prevent a seat occupant's back portion from being slipped or dislocated on and along a seat back in the case of rear-end collision. The upward-slippage prevention portion has a sloped region for receiving the seat occupant's back portion which is to be slipped or dislocated on and along the seat back under inertia when a rear-end collision occurs and thereby preventing an undesired upward slippage or dislocation of that seat occupant's back portion which will result in damage of his or her neck or cervical vertebrae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kanda, Masaaki Honda, Yosuke Karino
  • Publication number: 20110193379
    Abstract: A seat back frame and associated vehicle seat are provided for effectively reducing an input load applied onto a reclining mechanism at the time of rear surface collision, the frame and seat having an energy absorbing member fixed to a coupling portion of a lower frame for coupling left and right side frames on the lower side. Since the energy absorbing member is plastically deformable by pressing from the backrest front surface side, the energy absorbing member absorbs shock energy at the time of the rear surface collision to reduce an input load imposed onto a reclining mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nitsuma
  • Patent number: 7992934
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorption device making it possible to tilt the back of a seat frontward in case of a shock greater than a predetermined value, the device including a plate and an absorbing shaft, the plate including a brake cavity and a hole through which the absorbing shaft passes, the hole and the brake cavity being separated by a bridge, and the dimensions of the bridge being such as to break when the stress exerted on the back is greater than a predetermined value. The invention also relates to a seat for a passenger vehicle and, more particularly, an aircraft, the pivotal rotation of which is provided with such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle et Commerciale de Materiel Aeronautique (SICMA Aero Seat)
    Inventor: Jeremy Cailleteau
  • Patent number: 7971932
    Abstract: A vehicle seat 1 includes a seat back 3, a seat unit 2 for supporting the seat back 3, and a rotary damper 5 for interconnecting the seat back 3 and the seat unit 2, and for tilting the seat back 3 backward while absorbing energy generated by a load when the load is applied to the seat back 3 backward, the load having a predetermined strength or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Niitsuma, Takeshi Akutsu, Masanari Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7963599
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat back frame having a pair of side frames, a seat spring mounted between the side frames, a single plate-shaped flexible cushion plate mounted to the seat spring, a seat back cushion provided in front of the cushion plate, a single plate-shaped flexible auxiliary plate mounted on the cushion plate. The auxiliary plate is located between the cushion plate and the seat back cushion. The auxiliary plate pushes the seat back cushion to the front by being forwardly bent in response to an operation member. A collision detector is located on the rear side of the cushion plate having a predetermined distance there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misao Omori, Kenichi Niitsuma
  • Publication number: 20110121623
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a back frame, an elastic member interconnecting side supports of the back frame, a movable member on the elastic member, and a restriction on the back frame. The movable member and the restriction engage each other in a first mode when a rearward load on the elastic member is less than a given value and are released from one another in a second mode when the load on the elastic member equals or exceeds the given value. The restriction restricts a rearward movement of the movable member in the first mode to limit rearward bending of the elastic member. Rearward movement of the movable member is permitted in the second mode to release the limitation on bending of the elastic member. Thus, the vehicle seat protects an occupant's neck during a rear collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Okamoto, Ryota Okimoto
  • Publication number: 20110109130
    Abstract: A seat for a passenger comprises reinforcing structure bodies reinforcing seatbacks, connection support portions connecting the reinforcing structure bodies to a vehicle-body wall portion so as to support the reinforcing structure bodies at the vehicle-body wall portion, pressure-receiving portions provided in the seatbacks and supported so as to move rearwardly by being pressed by passengers in a vehicle rear collision, the pressure-receiving portions being arranged at a specified height position which is a distance upwardly away from lower end portions of the seatbacks, and headrest moving-mechanism portions moving headrests forwardly or upwardly in accordance with a rearward move of the pressure-receiving portions. Accordingly, a passenger's head portion can be protected effectively with a simple structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi NAKAYA, Akihiro KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 7926872
    Abstract: A seat back has a seat back frame, a plane spring structure, and a headrest provided at the upper end of a seat back frame. The plane spring structure has left and right side wires, and horizontal wires extending in the horizontal direction. Connection wires are provided between the seat back frame and plane spring structure. First end portions and second end portions of the connection wires function as detachable portions. At least one of these detachable portions is detached from the seat back frame or plane spring structure by the load applied to the seat back, when a vehicle is bumped from behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd., NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Chida, Kazuki Okamoto, Nozomu Munemura, Atsuo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7896434
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance